NCJ Number
136183
Journal
Contemporary Family Therapy Volume: 13 Dated: (February 1991) Pages: 71-81
Date Published
1991
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study of adolescents employs a Family-of-Origin scale (FOS) to assess differences in family member perceptions between 161 normal and 40 substance abusers undergoing treatment.
Abstract
Participants from two, inpatient chemical dependency programs completed the FOS which grouped 10 items according to autonomy and intimacy. The following subscales reflected autonomy issues: clarity of expression; responsibility; respect for others; openness to others; and acceptance of separation and loss. Subscales demonstrating the intimacy component were: range of feelings; mood and tone; conflict resolution; empathy; and trust. Findings demonstrate that drug abusers scored significantly lower than the non-clinical group on issues related to autonomy. This supports past findings where guilt and manipulation were used by drug abusers and their parents to control individuation. In contract to the non-clinical participants, drug abusers perceived their families as unable to express their feelings and opinions openly. Though the relationship between substance abusers and their parents was symbiotic and intense, results indicated drug abusers perceived their families as emotionally distant. The clinical assessment indicated the drug abuser was "pseudo-individuated" and served as the symbol for dysfunction in the family. Findings from the discriminant analysis suggest that the FOS is a valuable instrument in classification. Recommendations for future family research include evaluating degrees of substance abuse and balancing gender representation. 18 references