A therapy could be used to improve the health and happiness of children in the UK is being researched by Scottish academics in a £230,000 research programme.
Academics from Edinburgh Napier University will work with Harvard Medical School to assess whether Behavioural Couples Therapy (BCT) could be used in the NHS.
Edinburgh Napier’s Dr Anne Whittaker and Professor Lawrie Elliott will work with Harvard Medical School’s Professor Timothy O’Farrell.
The 22-month feasibility study - the first to examine the potential for BCT in the UK - will explore the impact of the therapy on 18 Scots families in which one or both parents is being treated for drug misuse.
Evidence shows that the children of drug users are often ill-treated and that they are more likely to develop substance misuse problems themselves.
Research shows that BCT has been effective in reducing emotional problems among young people with a parent with drug use issues.
The feasibility study will see BCT - which involves working with couples to improve communication and relationships, and reduce drug use – being delivered at NHS Lothian’s Substance Misuse Directorate.
Research staff will ask parents and clinical staff taking part in the programme to gather information on the benefits and drawbacks before a decision is taken on whether to proceed with a pilot trial.
Dr Whittaker, who was seconded from NHS Lothian to Edinburgh Napier with a remit to develop research into addictions, said: "NHS addiction services desperately need to find more effective ways of helping children and families affected by parental drug use.
"Our review of the evidence found that BCT could make a real difference to parents who are struggling with an addiction and the beauty of this intervention is that it does not directly involve the children but, nevertheless, can improve their lives significantly.
"The intervention needs to be delivered by skilled professionals which is why we are testing this within the NHS where qualified mental health nurses and clinical psychologists can deliver BCT to the standard required."
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