Exploration of the Lives of Women with ACOAs Living with an Alcoholic Spouse: A Life History Theory Approach

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify how women who were adult children of alcoholics and spouses of alcoholics had grown up in difficult situations and found the meaning of life.Methods: This study used a life history research method and data were collected from three participants who are adult children of alcoholics and spouses of alcoholics. In-depth interviews with each participant were conducted three times from September to October 2020.Results: In this study, ‘realm of life’ includes taking care of the family like a young hero, difficulty in express one’s feelings and desire, facing the problems of the family at stake. ‘Turning point’ meeting a role model overcoming addiction problems, sharing one’s story in the Therapeutic Community, self-awareness to live independently not as a victim. ‘Adaptation’ includes recognizing and expressing one’s thoughts and feelings, trying to separate from the family psychologically and spatially, reinterpretation of one’s life and discovery of the meaning of life.Conclusion: Their meaning of life was to love and respect themselves, make responsible choices in their circumstances, break the inheritance of addiction and had a healthy family life. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an existential meaning therapy program that helps them find the meaning of life and recover to their original self.