ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Public Health
Sec. Public Mental Health
Violence exposure and quality of life among partners and parents of individuals with substance use problems
- BB
Bente Birkeland 1
- JV
John-Kåre Vederhus 1,2
- AS
Anne Schanche Selbekk 3
- AL
Anne-Marie Laslett 4
- IM
Ingrid Mary Wilson 5
- SH
Siri Haugland 1
1. Universitetet i Agder - Campus Grimstad, Grimstad, Norway
2. Sorlandet sykehus HF, Kristiansand, Norway
3. Universitetet i Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
4. La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
5. Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore, Singapore
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Abstract
Background Substance use problems (SUP) have significant adverse consequences not only for individuals with such problems, but also for their loved ones. One important concern is exposure to violence among affected family members. This study investigates whether close family members, specifically partners or parents, of individuals with SUP, including alcohol, face increased risks of physical and sexual violence and emotional abuse within the last five years. We also examined a hypothesized mediation model linking SUP exposure, violence, and quality of life (QoL). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from 17,640 adults aged 23 years and above who participated in the Norwegian Counties Public Health Survey 2023. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed, controlling for age and socioeconomic status, and stratified by gender. Latent regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between SUP exposure and QoL. Results Gender-specific analyses revealed that partners or parents of individuals with SUP had significantly higher odds of experiencing physical violence (women OR 4.54; men OR 4.14), sexual violence (women OR 4.31; men OR 4.80), and emotional abuse (OR 2.96 across genders). These family members also reported lower QoL. The association between family member status and lower QoL was statistically accounted for by experiences of violence. Information on the perpetrator was not available, and the source of reported violence could therefore not be determined. Conclusion Close family members such as partners or parents of individuals with SUP face substantial risks of violence and emotional harm and report lower QoL. Support services should offer gender-sensitive, tailored assistance that addresses family members’ needs as individuals, not solely as caregivers. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing affected family members as a vulnerable population within public health initiatives.
Summary
Keywords
Affected family members, gender, Quality of Life, substance use disorders, Violence
Received
23 April 2026
Accepted
07 August 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Birkeland, Vederhus, Selbekk, Laslett, Wilson and Haugland. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Bente Birkeland
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