Researchers looked at calls from thousands of children

University of Edinburgh researchers studied about 9,000 calls made to ChildLine Scotland over four years.

They found youngsters struggling to cope with cancer, depression and drug and alcohol abuse within their family.

The study revealed that children found it difficult to get help and were often subjected to violence.

Academics at the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR) looked at calls concerning ill-health among parents, carers and siblings.

Without support, the cycle of neglect and potential violence continues Anne Houston ChildLine Scotland

Researcher Sharon Ogilvie-Whyte said: "The impact of parental health issues on children can be significant, especially where adults' alcohol or drug abuse is involved.

"Many youngsters were also subjected to violence at the hands of a parent or carer and hadn't told anyone else.

"Many children feel unable to ask adults for the help they need. That's what comes through in this research - the fact that it's a hidden problem."

ChildLine Scotland is calling for more support for children.

The organisation wants more child-focused services and more help for parents before they reach crisis point.

Drink and abuse

Director Anne Houston said: "This is not about demonising parents. They too, need support. Without support, the cycle of neglect and potential violence continues."

The study found that some children had to act as a carer for family members, many were bullied at school, and others worried that their home situation would be discovered.

Almost a third of calls came from children talking about the negative effects of their parent's drinking.

In almost half these cases children were calling because they were being physically abused.

Many of these young people need real care and support Kathleen Marshall Children's Commissioner

Violence was perpetrated by mothers and fathers, step-parents, relations and carers and ranged from slapping to repeatedly striking children with objects such as golf clubs and belts.

Children often said the abuse was brought on by a health problem like depression or by the parent drinking alcohol.

Only 1% of youngsters told social services about the situation and in 14% of cases the child had told no-one until they called ChildLine.

Friends were the main source of support for children, but many had nowhere to turn.

'Real care and support'

Commissioner for Children and Young People, Kathleen Marshall, said of the research: "Many of these young people need real care and support that is provided in a non-stigmatising way.

"If we do not come up with services that are provided on these children's terms, they won't be used, the problems will remain real but hidden, and society as a whole will be the worse for it."

Romy Langeland, chief executive of Aberlour Child Care Trust welcomed ChildLine's call for more support and added: "With an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 Scottish children affected by their parents' drug misuse and up to 100,000 affected by parental alcohol misuse, the problem is not going to go away."