Silent Scars: Substance Abuse, Psychological Abuse, and the Social Well-Being of Children in Low-Income Urban Settlements in Uganda

Abstract

Substance abuse within households remains a growing social and public health concern with significant implications for the psychological and social well-being of children, particularly in low-income urban communities. Children living in environments characterized by parental or caregiver substance misuse are often exposed to emotional neglect, domestic instability, violence, and psychological abuse, all of which negatively affect their development and social functioning. Despite increasing scholarly and policy attention toward substance abuse in Uganda, limited research has specifically examined its relationship with psychological abuse and the lived experiences of children in low-income urban settlements. This study employed a qualitative narrative literature review design to examine the relationship between substance abuse, psychological abuse, and the social well-being of children in low-income urban settlements in Uganda. Relevant literature was obtained from peer-reviewed journal articles, institutional reports, and policy publications focusing on substance abuse, child welfare, psychological abuse, and urban vulnerability. The findings indicate that substance abuse within households contributes significantly to emotional neglect, family instability, domestic violence, and poor social outcomes among children. The study further reveals that poverty, weak parental supervision, and social stigma intensify children’s vulnerability to psychological abuse and social exclusion. Additionally, inadequate community support systems and policy implementation gaps continue to limit effective interventions for affected children. The study concludes that substance abuse is not only a public health issue but also a major child protection and social welfare concern with long-term implications for children’s emotional and social well-being. The paper highlights the need for integrated interventions involving families, schools, communities, and policy institutions to strengthen psychosocial support and child protection systems in vulnerable urban communities.