The Protective Influence of Relationship Satisfaction and Peer‐Led Recovery Support Groups Among Trauma‐Exposed Parents With Substance Use

The co‐occurrence of parental substance use and PTSD can negatively impact the well‐being of an entire family unit. Additional co‐occurring mental health challenges and engagement in violent behaviours can heighten parental risk of negative parenting behaviours, including child maltreatment. Relationship satisfaction and social support may buffer against these consequences. We analyse parents ( N = 841; 51% women) from a midwestern state with co‐occurring substance use and PTSD who completed intake surveys from the Government Performance and Results Act (2022–2024). Multiple regression explored how interpersonal and recovery‐oriented forms of social support and relationship satisfaction influence parents' quality of life, while negative binomial regression models analysed relationships between these variables and depression and difficulty controlling violent behaviours. Relationship satisfaction had a significant influence on all outcome measures, while attendance at peer‐led recovery support groups was significantly associated with all outcomes. Our findings suggest that relationship satisfaction and engagement in peer‐led recovery support groups can have a beneficial impact on factors associated with risk of maltreatment and harmful parenting. Helping parents with co‐occurring substance use and PTSD increase their relational satisfaction and encouraging attendance at peer‐led recovery support groups may be beneficial aspects of trauma‐informed, family‐oriented treatment approaches for substance use.