While existing research suggests that caregivers contribute to the onset and maintenance of adolescent substance use, research also posits that caregivers are negatively affected by adolescent substance use. However, caregivers' experiences of adolescent substance use is the subject of little academic research, and it remains poorly understood. This study offers important empirical insights that address this significant gap in the literature. The purpose of this study is to understand how caregivers perceive and describe their experience with their adolescent's substance use. To gain a deeper understanding of the reciprocal relationship between caregivers and adolescent substance use issues, this study uses a phenomenological, qualitative research approach to examine caregivers' experiences of their adolescent's substance use issues. The guiding theoretical framework is family systems theory (FST; Bowen, 1974). Additionally, the study employed a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach by actively involving community members, organizational representatives, and researchers in the research process (Israel, Schulz, Parker, & Becker, 1998). Data were collected through in-depth, qualitative interviews with 20 caregivers of adolescents with substance use issues. Data analyses resulted in 6 core themes: 1) Discovering and making meaning of the substance use, 2) A complex issue, 3) A systemic issue, 4) Process of treatment, 5) Parental efficacy, and 6) The silver lining. Results illustrate how parents discovered and made meaning of their adolescent's substance use. Findings explain how adolescent substance use is a complex and systemic issue, often disrupting the entire family system, leaving caregivers questioning their parental efficacy and negotiating the caregiver-child relationship. The results highlight the process of treatment, transformation, and the growth that took place at the individual and family level. Several implications for future research and clinical practice were identified. The study highlights the need to further examine the reciprocal relationship between caregivers and adolescent substance use. Results can also speak to how family-focused treatment of adolescent substance use may be adapted to meet the needs of this unique population. More specific suggestions for future research and for marriage and family therapists working with families experiencing adolescent substance use issues are provided. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester 2015. / May 20, 2015. / Adolescent, Adolescent substance use, Caregivers, Parenting, Substance use / Includes bibliographical references. / Kendal Holtrop, Professor Co-Directing Dissertation; Lenore McWey, Professor Co-Directing Dissertation; Stephen Tripodi, University Representative; Ming Cui, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_253135 |
| Contributors | Scott, Jenna (authoraut), Holtrop, Kendal N. (professor co-directing dissertation), McWey, Lenore M. (professor co-directing dissertation), Tripodi, Stephen J. (university representative), Cui, Ming, 1971- (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Human Sciences (degree granting college), Department of Family and Child Sciences (degree granting department) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource (181 pages), computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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