There are many children in Sweden today, approximately 200 000, who have parents or a parent that abuses alcohol or other drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate how group leaders in support groups for children with addicted parents relate to this sort of support groups. What are their advantages and disadvantages, according to the group leaders? The method used was qualitative and the empirical material was collected through group interviews. We have interviewed eight persons who are social workers and the interviews were carried out at three work places. The analysis of the material takes a survey of previous written literature as the point of departure. The theoretical framework was eclectic, combining a child perspective with a holistic approach to the situation of children with addicted parents. The interview material was interpreted with the help of hermeneutic theory. Furthermore, Antonovsky’s salutogenic theory, system theory and theory on social change have been used in the analysis. The analysis shows that the group leaders’ position is that children that have parents or a parent, who abuse alcohol need support groups. The group leaders of support groups bring up that the most important thing for these children is to have other children that they can talk to and trust. However, it was clearly more difficult for the interviewees to discuss possible disadvantages. Drawing upon a holistic perspective, we argue that one disadvantage is how group leaders see children as individuals instead of seeing the family as a whole and the need to deal with the children’s main problem, their parents’ addiction. We also discuss the fact that it seems as if a case worker with overall responsibility rarely monitors the child’s situation. Drawing upon theories on social change we argue that although support groups may empower children to some extent, support groups cannot in themselves be regarded as a way of creating social change.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-151). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC, 2003. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-135).

The use of alcohol and drugs by women has become a major health issue; though men use and abuse alcohol and drugs at a higher rate than women, this gap is closing and at an alarming rate. / In this study, the hypothesis is that women who have positive social support relationships have a higher probability to sustain and maintain their sobriety over time. Information was obtained through qualitative exploration N = (10) as these women recounted their experiences. The objective is to explore the similar factors that assisted these women throughout their recovery process. / The findings show that women come to recognize their need for recovery, as their sense of self develops and evolves over time: through positive attachments with others, rediscovery of self and identifying positive feelings. / The issue of women and recovery is a relevant factor for social work practitioners as clients and social workers need to function together as partners throughout the problem solving process.

This thesis encompasses studies that examine autonomic reactivity and neuropsychological function in preadolescent boys who are at-risk for developing alcoholism and conduct disorder. The literature suggests an association between cognitive impairments and behavioural undercontrol, and that autonomic hyperreactivity may facilitate the use of alcohol to dampen stress. Thus, either factor may contribute to early alcohol use. In the first study, preadolescent sons of male multigenerational alcoholics were found to be cardiovascularly reactive during cognitive stress, and impaired on tests of executive function. Furthermore, reactivity was correlated with anxiety, and executive function deficits with conduct problems. In the second study, reactivity during a laboratory aggression task was monitored and cognitive functions (attentional or memory processes and executive functions) were assessed among aggressive boys rated as disruptive, or anxious-disruptive. During the aggression task, anxious-disruptive boys, unlike disruptive boys or controls, moderated their aggression when their opponent engaged in retaliatory behaviour. Anxious-disruptive boys were more highly aroused throughout the task, and the neuropsychological assessment found they were impaired on tests of executive function, independent of attention and memory. In the third study, anxious-disruptive boys exhibited greater cardiovascular, electrodermal, and muscle tension reactivity than disruptive or control boys during cognitive stress, while disruptive boys were electrodermally underaroused. These studies suggest it is possible to delineate specific neuropsychological profiles among at-risk youth, using either a behavioural genetics model, or selecting for personality traits. There were consistent autonomic reactivity patterns across tasks among groups defined by similar behavioural profiles. Thus, while cognitive impairments and hyperreactivity may comprise a vulnerability among sons of alcoholics, thes

This study identifies the alcohol intaKe patterns of 274 white patients attending an Urban General Practice. The average consumption rate was 6.5 drinKs per person per weeK (d/p/w). 40X of the surveyed group did not consume any alcohol. The drinkers averaged 11 dIp/wo 72X of the males drank and 501: of the females dranK. 4.31: of the population surveyed were drinking more than 28 dIp/wo Marital status made no real difference to consumption rates but unemployment (16 d/p/w) and being a manual labourer (11.7 d/p/w) did. People who had lost either their occupation (11.7 d/p/w) or a close family member (9.3 d/p/w) in the preceeding year had higher than average (6,5 d/p/w) consumption levels and these were increased further if they had identified an alcohol abuser in their family. This study also identifies the useful supportive services available to this particular community and its health care worKers with a brief discussion of the type of service prOVided and method of access to the service. The appendix contains a list of the services with the relevant address. telephone number and where possible the name of a contact person. / Thesis (M.Prax.Med.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1986.

Bakalauro darbe analizuojami socioedukacinių poreikių tenkinimo, anoniminių alkoholikų (AA) savipagalbos grupėse ypatumai. Tyrimo tikslas - atskleisti socioedukacinių poreikių tenkinimo, anoniminių alkoholikų savipagalbos grupėse, ypatumus. Tyrimo uţdaviniai: taikant teorinę analizę ištirti socioedukacinių poreikių tenkinimo anoniminių alkoholikų savipagalbos grupėse ypatumus. Taikant interviu metodą, ištirti AA savipagalbos grupės narių socioedukacinius poreikius. Bei taikant turinio analizės metodą, nustatyti socioedukacinių poreikių tenkinimo ypatumus AA savipagalbos grupėse. Buvo atliekamas kokybinis tyrimas, siekiant išsiaiškinti anoniminių alkoholikų socioedukacinių poreikių tenkinimą AA grupėje, kokybinio tyrimo respondentais pasirinkti 5 AA grupės nariai. Tyrime dalyvavo 4 vyrai ir 1 moteris. Jų amţius nuo 40 iki 63 metų. Tyrime gautos tokios kategorijos: „Principai ir metodai, susiję su vertybiniu ugdymu, tarnavimu kitiems, bendravimu, išsisakymu, patirties dalinimusi, anonimiškumu, 12 ţingsnių programa, visuomenės informavimu“. „Bendrumo poreikis AA savipagalbos grupėje: socialinio tinklo kaita (prieš ir po dalyvavimo AA grupėje), bendruomenės poveikis bei santykiai ir bendri interesai grupėje“. „Saugumo poreikis ir pagalbos teikimas: socialinės, psichologinės ir fizinės sveikatos pokyčiai“. „Savigarbos, savo vertės jutimo poreikis: savęs vertinimas, savigarbos jausmas“. „Prieraišumo ir meilės poreikis AA grupėje arba po jos uţsiėmimų: intymūs santykiai, santykiai... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The peculiarities of meeting the socioeducational requirements in self-help groups of anonymous alcoholics (AA) are analyzed in the final work of Bachelor. The object of research is to reveal the peculiarities of meeting the socioeducational requirements in self-help groups of AA. The goals of research are these: through theoretical analysis to explore the peculiarities of meeting the socioeducational requirements in self-help groups of AA; through the method of interview to investigate the socioeducational needs of AA in self-help groups; also through the method of content analysis to identify the peculiarities of meeting the socioeducational requirements in self-help groups of anonymous alcoholic. Qualitative research was carried out with the purpose to find out meeting the socioeducational requirements in self-help group of anonymous alcoholics. Five members from anonymous alcoholics` group were chosen to be the respondents of qualitative research. Four men and one woman participated in the research. Their age was from 40 to 63. These categories were received in the research: principles and methods related to the value training, serving others, communication, openness, sharing experiences, anonymity, 12 steps programme and informing society. The need of community in the self-help group of AA: “fluctuation of social network (before and after participation in anonymous alcoholics group, influence and relationships of community and common interests in the group”. “The need of... [to full text]

Theoretical speculation implies Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOAs) are drawn in disproportionate numbers to caretaking occupations. This study compared the prevalence of ACOAs between nursing and noncaretaking occupations. A cover letter, demographic questionnaire, and Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST) were distributed to a random sample of 196 registered nurses and 184 noncaretaking employees at a large metropolitan hospital. Seventy-nine nursing and 104 noncaretaking occupations respondents completed the questionnaires.Comparison of demographic data for nursing and noncaretaking occupations revealed similar composition regarding age, number of marriages, and race. There were more male, divorced, widowed, and first born respondents in noncaretaking occupations than in nursing.ACOAs were identified in 21.5% of nursing respondents and 19.2% of noncaretaking occupation respondents. Chi-square showed no significant difference between the proportion of ACOAs in nursing and noncaretaking occupations at the .05 level of confidence. Thus, the null hypothesis was not rejected. This study found ACOAs are not drawn in disproportionate numbers to nursing. / School of Nursing

Many studies have explored the relationship of one's alcohol use both to family environment and to the drinking behavior of the parents. However, most of these studies have used clinical samples. The participants in this study were from a non-clinical, college undergraduate sample (N = 206). The sample included 69% females and 31% males who were primarily Caucasian.A causal path model was used to assess the relationships between familial alcohol use, the perceptions of family environment, propensity for substance use, and actual alcohol use. Participants completed the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) for themselves, their parents, and one sibling. Family environment measures completed by participants included: the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST) to measure the "experience" of family alcohol use; the Family of Origin Scale (FOS) as a measure of the family affectional environment; and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales (FACES Ill) as a measure of family structural and relational factors. The MacAndrew Scale (MAC) was completed to assess the propensity for substance use.A path analysis of the proposed model indicated that family alcohol use did not exert a significant direct effect on propensity for or actual use of alcohol, nor did it exert any significant effect on the family affectional environment. Each of these is a rather surprising result and contrary to results of previous studies. However, family alcohol use significantly affected the "experience" of living in such a family environment, especially when alcohol use became more problematic. Family alcohol use, mediated by this "experience," had significant effects on family structural components of leadership and control, as measured by FACES III. The "experience" of family alcohol use was significantly and negatively related to the affectional environment of the family. The indirect effects of this "experience" were significant only through the control component of family structure and direct effects this "experience" were significant only for actual use of alcohol. Propensity for use and actual use were also significantly related as was expected.Nearly 50% of the sample indicated a propensity for use (MAC > 24), actual problematic use of alcohol (MAST > 5), or both, when using the standard cutoff scores of these instruments. It appears that further analysis of family influences on these behaviors, especially those behaviors that create difficulties in life, is warranted. Treatment approaches have typically maintained that improved family affective and relational environments are primary treatment goals. That the affectional environment of the family was not significantly affected by familial use of alcohol was another unexpected outcome and also warrants further study. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Shared leadership is one of the newest leadership frameworks to date, and it’s currently taking the organizational world by storm. By analyzing previous leadership models and theories, it is clear that shared leadership evolved from these prior ideas. Yet, shared leadership also differs significantly enough that there is much left to be explored and researched on the topic. Due to the fact that shared leadership research is still in early stages, we have very few examples to study in real life settings. Some organizations have adopted shared leadership as their primary leadership structure throughout the entire company, though. W.L. Gore is a completely flat company that does not have bosses, titles, direct reports, or anything that resembles most corporations around the world. The well-known self-help group, Alcoholics Anonymous, also functions using a shared leadership model. However, shared leadership is still mostly a mystery. Even with some examples of the model available for study, there has been little research done on the actual interactions between team members that create a successful shared leadership structure. The limited knowledge that we currently have in relation to shared leadership—its origins, its framework, its application, its barriers, its future—is presented in the following pages.