Edinburgh Napier University

  This PhD research aimed to understand how looked after young people and their carers communicate about alcohol, tobacco and drug use. There is evidence that good parent-child connectedness, general and substance use specific communication are protective against alcohol, tobacco and drug use during adolescence. However, there is a lack of research regarding whether these factors are protective in looked after young people. Previous research suggests that general communication with carers is associated with more positive outcomes. However, no studies have examined substance use specific communication between looked after young people and their carers. Therefore, in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 looked after young people in foster and residential care; two social workers; six foster carers and eight residential care workers. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and the data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Three major themes were identified. Relationships between carers and young people were crucial and acted as the antecedent to communication. Carers’ role identity influenced their relationships with young people and their approach to and communication about substance use. Shared doing provided a way in which communication could be facilitated in an environment which feels natural and in which eye contact is minimised. The context in which communication occurred was important, with differences in foster and residential care. Shared doing was used in both settings, but to varying degrees. These findings provide an understanding of how carers and looked after young people communicate about substance use, with implications for foster carers and residential care staff working with looked after young people. Future work with looked after young people should consider the effect of relationships and professional role identity, as well as providing opportunities in which to implement shared doing, to encourage conversations about substance use.