Relational parenthood in addiction recovery.

Aims: The purpose of this research was to elicit how parents attending family-focused substance abuse treatment construct their parenthood in relation to other people. Design: Relational parenthood of addiction treatment attendees is scrutinised from seven thematic interviews carried out in a community-based inpatient substance abuse treatment unit in Finland. The core analytical concept of the research is relationality. The data were first content coded via Atlas.ti22 and the relations and codes classified into the five following parenthood types emerging from the data: (1) worn-out; (2) coping; (3) ambivalent; (4) changing; and (5) supported. Content codes and parenthood types were cross-tabulated to ascertain how these types are emphasised in different relationships. Results: Worn-out and coping parenthood types emerged in the closest relationships, mostly with their own children and the other parent. Ambivalent parenthood was present in all relations as expressions of inner conflict, which can lead to changing parenthood. Changing parenthood emerged in relation to interviewees' own children as an empowering experience. It also emerged in relation to other people as readiness to accept help. Supported parenthood was most often found in relation to significant others and professionals, presumably due to the context of the interviews. Conclusion: The parenthood types illustrate how parenting changes over time, which is also an important part of social identity change in recovering from addiction. In treatment, it is extremely important to understand the different sides of parenthood and to use the information to strengthen clients' parenthood.

Problem Gambler Help-Seeker Types: Barriers to Treatment and Help-Seeking Processes.

Understanding of the barriers to seeking help and treatment for gambling problems remains limited. Research has thus far focused on either the barriers or motivators for help-seeking. This interview-based study investigated both barriers to treatment and the help-seeking process. Three help-seekers types were identified: individualistic, multi-problematic and family-centric. Individualistic help-seekers emphasise psychological reasons as the major barriers to treatment but also see themselves as key actors in the help-seeking process. In this group, a rock bottom experience characterises the final stage of converting intention into action in help-seeking. Multi-problematic gamblers have other major problems apart from gambling, and they may feel that gambling, even if problematic, has a positive impact on their lives and hence lack motivation to change. For them, the need for change comes from improvement in their life situation. For family-centric help-seekers, the reasons for not seeking help are linked to individuals or are treatment- or cultural-related. In their help-seeking process, family members play a crucial role. These results indicate that, to offer more effective help, we should recognise dissimilarities in problem gamblers' experiences of barriers to treatment and in the phases of their help-seeking process.