["My Own Inner Child Is Basically Homeless" - Examining Sense of Self and Identity in Adult Children of Parents with Addiction: A Qualitative Study].

Abstract

Introduction: Children of parents with substance use disorders often develop dependent, dysfunctional roles within the family system to adapt and maintain its fragile balance. While these coping mechanisms may provide short-term relief, they can significantly disrupt identity formation and the development of a stable sense of self in the long term.

Methods: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of adults who grew up with substance-dependent parents, with particular attention to how this environment shaped their identity and how it influences their self-perception in adulthood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 16 participants, and the data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three main themes were identified: Main Theme 1: "I Pretended Nothing Was Wrong"; Main Theme 2: "The Question of the Right to Exist"; Main Theme 3: "The 'Homeless' Inner Child." The findings highlight the long-term psychological effects of growing up in a family affected by addiction, including difficulties in self-acceptance, boundary-setting, and autonomy.

Conclusion: The study underscores the therapeutic potential of "inner child" work in processing unresolved losses-collectively referred to as the "loss of childhood"-and in strengthening self-identity. A deeper understanding of these processes may contribute to the development of targeted interventions for adult children of parents with substance use disorders.