I kontakt med självhjälpsgrupper för anhöriga till missbrukare : En kvalitativ studie om vuxna barn

Sammanfattning: In this study, we interviewed three women who have lived in hazardous conditions such as abuse in the greater part of their lives. The aim of this study was to examine what experiences relatives of abusers have of self-help groups such as ACOA (Adult Children Of Alcoholics and of other dysfunctional families) and its support and help. Due to our purpose we asked ourselves three questions: 1. how do relatives of abusers experience the self-help group have affected them in the processing of the time in hazardous conditions? 2. Which support and help do they experience have been of the greatest importance in the processing? 3. What changes they can see since they joined the self-help group? During the data collection we performed qualitative interviews with three women in the ages between 43 and 49 years old, who today participate in self-help groups for relatives of abusers. Our results show that the self-help group has been a positive experience for the relatives and it has helped them to change their lifestyle and understand their childhood. They have created a social identity related to ACA as they have made sense their identities by describing themselves in terms of adult children, codependent and recovering. The self-help group has helped the interviewees to realize that they are not alone in having feelings and memories of their childhood in their adulthood. Through the processes of sharing and disclosing in the group meetings, self-help groups provide a platform for intersubjectivity, which is the knowledge that others see the world similarly to one’s own viewpoint. The results also show the fact that the childhood of the interviewees has contributed to problems in feeling trust in, confidence to and maintain healthy relationships to family, towards intimate partners and friends. Every relative described that they have relived their childhood and learned to manage their problems and difficulties with support of the self-help group.