Affected family members' experience of, and coping with, aggression and violence within the context of problematic substance use: a qualitative study

Families have an important role supporting a family member with problematic substance use (PSU), although this can often be challenging and confronting. Previous research has identified high rates of family aggression and violence within the context of PSU, although few studies have examined this is...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	BMC psychiatry Vol. 17; no. 1; p. 209
Main Authors:	McCann, Terence V, Lubman, Dan I, Boardman, Gayelene, Flood, Mollie
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England BioMed Central Ltd 02-06-2017 BioMed Central BMC
Subjects:	Adaptation, Psychological Adult Affected family members Aggression Aggression - psychology Complications and side effects Coping Coping (Psychology) Families Family - psychology Family Conflict - psychology Family relations Female Humans Interpersonal Relations Male Middle Aged Problematic substance use Psychological aspects Qualitative Research Social aspects Substance abuse Substance-Related Disorders - psychology Victoria Violence Violence - psychology Australia Qualitative research Problematic substance use Aggression Violence Affected family members Coping Families
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Summary:	Families have an important role supporting a family member with problematic substance use (PSU), although this can often be challenging and confronting. Previous research has identified high rates of family aggression and violence within the context of PSU, although few studies have examined this issue from the perspective of affected family members (AFMs) supporting a member with PSU. The aims of the current study were to understand AFMs' experience of aggression and violence while supporting a member with PSU, and to explicate the strategies they used to prevent and cope with this behaviour. Semi-structured, audio-recorded qualitative interviews were conducted with 31 AFMs from the state of Victoria in Australia. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to guide data collection and analysis. Almost 70% of participants experienced PSU-related family aggression and/or violence. Two main themes and related sub-themes were abstracted from the data capturing their experiences of this behaviour and the strategies they used to try to prevent and cope in this situation. Aggression and/or violence were variable, changeable and unpredictable; and aggression and/or violence altering social interactions and family dynamics. As a consequence, it was upsetting, stressful and emotionally exhausting to AFMs. In response to this experience, and largely through trial and error, they used several direct strategies to try to prevent and cope with the behaviour; however, most continued to struggle in these circumstances. They also highlighted additional indirect measures, which, if adopted, would enhance their existing direct strategies. More effective primary, secondary and tertiary preventive measures are needed to address family aggression and violence within the context of PSU. More support is needed for family members affected by PSU to enable them to 'stand up to,' to prevent and cope effectively with this behaviour, and to increase their help-seeking and access to specialist services and support groups. More appropriate policies and social services are needed to meet the needs of AFMs.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	1471-244X 1471-244X
DOI:	10.1186/s12888-017-1374-3