Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
6-15-2023
Year of Publication
2023
Degree Name
Master of Science in Family Sciences (MSFS)
Document Type
Master's Thesis
College
Agriculture, Food and Environment
Department/School/Program
Family Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. Alexander Elswick
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) are a pervasive public health problem facing families in the United States. Although families are frequently urged to support loved ones who have SUD and cautioned against enabling them, there is a dearth of literature that distinguishes between supporting and enabling. Through qualitative interviews, this phenomenological study examined the experiences of eight parents with adult children with SUD who were currently in recovery. Five themes emerged from the data including: (a) living in despair, (b) addiction and recovery knowledge, (c) support group philosophy, (d) coping with addiction, and (e) differentiation. The results from this study suggest that, although the differences between enabling and support are not well-understood, family members develop functional boundaries to support their loved ones through increased understanding of addiction and lived experiences.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2023.273
Recommended Citation
King, Krystal N., "EXPLORING THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN SUPPORT AND ENABLING IN FAMILIES WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER" (2023). Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences. 107.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/107
Included in
Community-Based Research Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Social Work Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons
