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Caregivers, whether a biological parent, adoptive parent, or a relative such as a grandparent, of adolescent with substance use disorder (SUD) undergo immense psychological and social strains, as they have to deal with substance habituated issues arising from their adolescent child. Caregivers often encounter many untold experiences while parenting adolescents on substance use. However, there is limited documentation of such experiences. A remarkable proportion of research has focused on adolescent substance use and the experiences of adolescents, whereas little attention has been paid to caregivers. This study explored the psychological experiences of caregivers of adolescents diagnosed with SUD. This was a qualitative study based on in‐depth interviews with 18 caregivers of adolescents with SUD conducted at a Youth Centre located in a national referral hospital and focused on the caregivers' psychological experiences. Data collected through in‐depth interviews were transcribed and thematically coded. Recurrent themes were analysed and reported. The study identified several themes in the experiences of caregivers of adolescents with SUDs. The main psychological experience was stress, whereas lasting psychological effects as well as difficult social outcomes as a result of substance use by the adolescent child were also identified. This study revealed the complex landscape of psychological turmoil that the caregivers have to navigate while caring for an adolescent diagnosed with SUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our study explores socioeconomic, treatment-related, and psychological experiences of parents during cancer treatment of their children at an academic hospital in Kenya. Methods: This cross-sectional study used semi-structured questionnaires. Parents whose children came for cancer treatment consecutively between November 2012 and April 2013 were interviewed. Results: Between 2012 and 2013, 115 oncology patients attended the hospital and 75 families (response rate 65 %) were interviewed. Cancer treatment resulted in financial difficulties (89 %). More information about cancer and treatment was required (88 %). More contact with doctors was needed (83 %). At diagnosis, cancer was perceived as curable (63 %). However, parents were told by health-care providers that most children with cancer die (49 %). Parents had difficulties with understanding doctors' vocabulary (48 %). Common reasons to miss hospital appointments were travel costs (52 %) and hospital costs (28 %). Parents (95 %) used complementary alternative treatment (CAM) for their children. Health-care providers told parents not to use CAM (49 %). Parents had not discussed their CAM use with doctors (71 %). Community members isolated families because their child had cancer (25 %), believed that child was bewitched (57 %), advised to use CAM (61 %), and stopped conventional treatment (45 %). Some families (15 %) never disclosed the child's illness to community members. Parents shared experiences with other parents at the ward (97 %) and would otherwise not understand the disease and its treatment (87 %). Conclusions: Parents suffer financial hardships and are dissatisfied with doctors' communication regarding their children's condition. CAM is very commonly used. Doctors need to improve their communication skills and discuss CAM more openly. Cancer programs should include more support for parents: financial assistance, a facility where parents and children can stay during the course of therapy, and parent support groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]