| چکیده انگلیسی مقاله |
Objective: The rising challenges and consequences of drug and alcohol abuse have brought to the forefront the pressing need for greater focus on and consideration of addiction-affected family members (AAFs). These family members bear the brunt of these detrimental effects, leading to diverse health-related consequences at various levels. Furthermore, they are confronted with complex challenges that demand their attention and concerted efforts. In addition to providing support, AAFs must spend weighty energy on mitigating the internal familial consequences resulting from addiction. In the context of their educational and supervisory role, mothers play an important role in supporting their children struggling with substance abuse. Mothers become entangled in various issues and problems affecting their lives during this process. This study aimed to explore the experiences of addiction-affected mothers (AAMs) who were struggling with their child’s substance abuse and to discover the strategies they employ to cope with problems during the addiction and the recovery periods.
Materials and Methods: In this study, a phenomenological approach, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), was used to comprehensively explore the experiences of AAMs. The sample consisted of 9 mothers whose children had completed the recovery period. Purposive sampling ensured the inclusion of individuals with firsthand experiences and insights into the challenges faced by AAMs. Then, semi-structured interviews were conducted with mothers, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim for analysis. Data analysis followed the principles of IPA, involving a systematic coding, categorization, and interpretation process to identify recurring themes and meanings. Measures were taken to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings, including member checking, peer debriefing, and reflexive journals. Ethical considerations were addressed, and confidentiality and anonymity were maintained. Additionally, several group discussion sessions were conducted to achieve consensus on the coding and identification of key concepts, further strengthening the study's trustworthiness.
Results: The data analysis and the codes extracted from the interviews revealed four main themes and 14 subthemes. The four main themes extracted from the data included social isolation, the swamp trails, the continuum of injuries, and the pursuit of freedom. The first three main themes contain 11 subthemes reflecting the mothers’ experiences caused by their children’s addiction, and the fourth theme contains 3 subthemes, including countermeasures and effective mechanisms employed to overcome addiction-caused problems.
Conclusion: The present study's findings offer a valuable evidence-based resource through which enhanced services and policies can be provided to AAMs, who often play the primary role in grappling with this issue within the family. The voices of these mothers highlighted the need to offer specialized interventions and support services across various dimensions to address their unique circumstances and needs, along with those of their families. By doing so, these individuals can move toward minimizing the direct and indirect effects of addiction as much as possible. Another critical point regarding AAMs is encouraging and providing a supportive environment for their participation in educational and support sessions. These sessions serve as essential coping mechanisms for mothers in dealing with their children's addiction, even after completing rehabilitation. In other words, utilizing effective resources and strategies to address the direct and indirect challenges associated with addiction and achieving long-term "recovery" can serve as a permanent and ongoing solution for both the individuals struggling with substance abuse and their family members. Consequently, explaining the recovery process to mothers and other family members affected by addiction can significantly contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamic relationships within these families. |
| نویسندگان مقاله |
مصطفی مردانی | Mostafa Mardani
Department of Social Work, Social Welfare Management Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
گروه آموزشی مددکاری اجتماعی، مرکز تحقیقات مدیریت رفاه اجتماعی، دانشگاه علوم توانبخشی و سلامت اجتماعی، تهران، ایران.
فردین علی پور | Fardin Alipour
Department of Social Work, Social Welfare Management Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
گروه آموزشی مددکاری اجتماعی، مرکز تحقیقات مدیریت رفاه اجتماعی، دانشگاه علوم توانبخشی و سلامت اجتماعی، تهران، ایران.
حسن رفیعی | Hassan Rafiey
Social Welfare Management Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
مرکز تحقیقات مدیریت رفاه اجتماعی، دانشگاه علوم توانبخشی و سلامت اجتماعی، تهران، ایران
مسعود فلاحی خوشکناب | Masoud Fallahi-Khoshknab
Department of Nursing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
گروه آموزشی پرستاری، دانشگاه علوم توانبخشی و سلامت اجتماعی، تهران، ایران.
ملیحه عرشی | Maliheh Arshi
Department of Social Work, Social Welfare Management Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
گروه آموزشی مددکاری اجتماعی، مرکز تحقیقات مدیریت رفاه اجتماعی، دانشگاه علوم توانبخشی و سلامت اجتماعی، تهران، ایران
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