Final answer:
The social worker should consider referrals to parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, and a psychiatrist to support the family, addressing the children's behavior, the father's alcohol abuse, and the mother's depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a family presents with issues such as the children being "out of control," a history of alcohol abuse by the father, and the mother's frequent depression, a social worker should consider multiple avenues for referral. According to the student's question, the social worker should consider referrals to parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, and a psychiatrist. These referrals address the various factors at play: parenting classes can provide the parents with new skills and strategies for managing their children's behavior, substance abuse treatment can tackle the father's alcohol abuse, and psychiatric support can aid the mother with her depression and potentially prevent the neglect and abuse that is more prevalent in families with substance abuse issues.
Research from the Child Welfare Information Gateway supports that children raised by substance abusers are at higher risk for physical abuse and neglect. Therefore, addressing the substance abuse and mental health issues is critical in improving the outcomes for the children. The referral to a psychiatrist is also crucial for assessing and treating the couple's mental health needs, which may be contributing to the family's dysfunction.