Date of Award

4-2023

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Ashley Constantine

Second Advisor

Holly Grieves

Abstract

The focus of this 14-week capstone project revolved around program development and implementation of a parent support group through Wedgwood Christian Services for parents who are raising adolescents who were struggling with substance use disorder (SUD). Very little is known regarding interventions available to support affected parents to cope with the high stress that comes with navigating the waters of raising a teenager with SUD. The purpose of this project was to improve mental health, family dynamics, and overall quality of life for the affected parents who attended the support group once a week for four weeks. Evidence of stress reduction, improved mental health, and strengthened parent and teenager relationships were obtained through the Parent Stress Scale and a self-created feedback survey. Results indicated that stress levels were reduced after the four-week trial and parents reported increased levels of confidence while navigating their future relationship with their teenager.

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