Helen Moriarty1, Maria Stubbe, Sarah Bradford, Sophie Tapper, Bee Teng Lim. 1. Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, P.O. Box 7343, Mein Street, Wellington South, New Zealand. helen.moriarty@otago.ac.nz
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Information about the impact of addiction on New Zealand (NZ) families is scarce. A good understanding of the nature and extent of family problems is essential to help families become more resilient and minimise the consequences. This study aimed to explore experiences of NZ families living with addiction, identify impacts on non-addicted family members, their coping strategies and barriers to help seeking. METHODS: Literature and key stakeholder interviews informed the development of an interview schedule for 29 family participants recruited through health and social services. Interviews were recorded for analysis of central themes and critical elements that underpin those. Key stakeholders and informal informants were again consulted to discuss findings and interpretation. FINDINGS: Addiction has widespread effects on NZ families. The coping strategies described by the participants in this project lacked the positive connotations of resilience, namely positive adaptation under significant adversity. CONCLUSION: Family impacts of addiction are complex, and similar family problems arise regardless of the substance(s) involved. This small exploratory study indicates that the implications for NZ families deserve further investigation. Future research is also required to further characterise the impact of behavioural addictions on families, addiction in particular ethnic groupings and the implications of the findings for clinical practice, other social and health services, and for public health and social policy.
INTRODUCTION: Information about the impact of addiction on New Zealand (NZ) families is scarce. A good understanding of the nature and extent of family problems is essential to help families become more resilient and minimise the consequences. This study aimed to explore experiences of NZ families living with addiction, identify impacts on non-addicted family members, their coping strategies and barriers to help seeking. METHODS: Literature and key stakeholder interviews informed the development of an interview schedule for 29 family participants recruited through health and social services. Interviews were recorded for analysis of central themes and critical elements that underpin those. Key stakeholders and informal informants were again consulted to discuss findings and interpretation. FINDINGS: Addiction has widespread effects on NZ families. The coping strategies described by the participants in this project lacked the positive connotations of resilience, namely positive adaptation under significant adversity. CONCLUSION: Family impacts of addiction are complex, and similar family problems arise regardless of the substance(s) involved. This small exploratory study indicates that the implications for NZ families deserve further investigation. Future research is also required to further characterise the impact of behavioural addictions on families, addiction in particular ethnic groupings and the implications of the findings for clinical practice, other social and health services, and for public health and social policy.
Authors: Nino C Marchi; Juliana N Scherer; Mayra P Pachado; Luciano S Guimarães; Gerson Siegmund; Melina N de Castro; Silvia Halpern; Daniela Benzano; Maria L Formigoni; Marcelo Cruz; Flavio Pechansky; Felix H Kessler Journal: Braz J Psychiatry Date: 2017-08-30 Impact factor: 2.697
Authors: Mark Mohan Kaggwa; Brendah Namatanzi; Moses Kule; Rahel Nkola; Sarah Maria Najjuka; Firoj Al Mamun; Ismail Hosen; Mohammed A Mamun; Scholastic Ashaba Journal: Int J Womens Health Date: 2021-09-22