Paternal addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, and opium and the psychological distress of their youths in southeast Iran

Previous studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding paternal addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, and opium with psychological distress in youths. This study examined the association between paternal addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, and opium and the psychological distress of youths in southeast Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 895 youths (aged 15-35) from the baseline phase of the Rafsanjan Youth Cohort Study (RYCS) whose fathers also participated in the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS). The RYCS is a part of the RCS, a branch of prospective epidemiological research studies in Iran (PERSIAN). Smoking, alcohol consumption, and opium usage in youths and their fathers were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6 and K10). Fathers who used opium were more likely to have youth with psychological distress based on the K6 score (OR:1.37, CI:1.01-1.86) and K10 score (OR:1.34, CI: 1.01-1.80). The duration of opium consumption lower than or equal to the median was associated with increased odds of having a youth with psychological distress based on the K6 or K10 scores (OR:1.62, CI:1.14-2.31, OR:1.44, CI:1.01-2.03 respectively), but there was no significant association with duration above the median. In addition, consuming opium more than the median dosage increased the chance of having a psychologically distressed youth up to 1.47 times based on the K6 score (OR 1.47, CI 1.01-2.14) and 1.55 times based on the K10 score (OR 1.55, CI:1.08-2.22). Smoking cigarette duration lower than or equal to the median increased the chance of having a psychologically distressed youth to 1.52 times more based on the K6 score (OR 1.52, CI 1.07-2.15). There was no significant association between paternal alcohol consumption and the odds of having a psychologically distressed youth. Parental addiction to opium can lead to an increase in psychological distress in youths in the absence however of a consistent dose and duration relationship.