The Role of Parental Alcohol Abuse on Children Detachment to the Streets in Kabale Municipality, Uganda

Abstract

This study investigated how parental alcohol abuse influences children leaving their homes in Kabale municipality, Uganda. The study was guided by Erickson’s psychosocial development theory in view of the environment that would facilitate or hinder proper development. Phenomenological research design of the qualitative approach was used in the study. Children who left their homes due to parental alcohol abuse were the targeted population accessible at The Shepherd Center and Grace Villa children-care centres. A sample size of 15 participants consisted of 5 boys, and 5 girls living in children-care centers, 4 children caretakers from the children-care centers, and a Probation Officer was purposefully selected. Interview and observation methods were used to collect data. Colleagues and supervisors reviewed the research instruments for validity. Triangulation of participants and voice recorder facilitated reliability and trustworthiness. Data analysis procedure was by transcribing, and then coding according to research questions, followed by presenting, discussing, and interpreting in a narrative form. The findings revealed that children left their homes because their drunken parents neglected them by their absence, the inadequate provision of basic needs such as food, and abused them by beating, unpredictability, insulting, rejection, and sending them out of the house at night. Consequently boys left home and went to the streets while girls went either for early marriage, prostitution, and working in hotels or house girls. The participants suggested community sensitization, laws and regulations regarding the production, marketing and consumption of alcohol, and ensuring children are in school as possible interventions to control parental alcohol abuse in Kabale municipality. The study also recommended psychotherapy for parents involved in alcohol abuse and resilience training for children to buffer against the negative influences of parental alcohol abuse.