THE LIFE WITH DRUG ADDICT PARENTS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Parent-child relationship is influenced by the role of social, cultural and contextual factors that determines child development. Drug addiction is very rampant in the society that involves both children and parents. This descriptive phenomenological study was conducted by utilizing10 informants who are children with drug addict parents. Informants were selected using snowball method who possesses the following inclusion criteria: aged 18 years and above, living with their parents who were drug addict within one year or more, and who are not intoxicated during the data gathering. Individual in-depth interview was conducted after transactional consent was secured. The Collaizzi’s method of data analysis was employed wherein 6 themes emerged: (1) Parental Hatred (2) Co-Dependency (3) Economic Distress (4) Fear of Aggression (5) Emotional Blocking (6) Longing for Situational Change; (Major Theme) The Complexity of the Scene. The lived experience of children with drug addict parents is much complicated. Three nursing implications were drawn: (1) there is a negative impact of living with drug addict parents. (2) Some children of drug addict parents strive to rationalize emotion. (3) Despite the circumstances the children have experienced, some have developed a positive outlook towards life.