Family functioning in families affected by substance abuse

Abstract

The purpose of this multiple-case study was to provide insight into the family functioning of families that are affected by substance abuse, specifically into the six dimensions of the McMaster Model of Family Functioning and to gain a greater understanding of the general family functioning of the participating families. Research has demonstrated that harmful and addictive substances are readily available, especially within the South African township context. Early exposure to illicit substances often results in family dysfunction, developmental and emotional issues. A qualitative approach was applied, and this study was guided by an interpretivist methodology. This study was conducted in a South African township context with families from the Diepsloot community in Johannesburg, where many families face challenges related to financial and substance abuse issues on a daily basis. Four families that met the criteria for the study were selected through snowball sampling. The study made use of the McMaster Structured Interview of Family Functioning as well as qualitative drawings, to gather data. Transcriptions of the semistructured interview and group reflection were analysed to deduce themes. Themes were organised into the six dimensions of the McMaster Model of Family Functioning and the present and future orientations of the participants were inferred. The results of the study suggest that families were unable to carry out the problem-solving process completely. Even though they were extremely proficient in some of the stages in the problem-solving process, they did not achieve others. Regarding communication, families were found to have open and free communication in their families, with clear and direct communication as their primary style of communication. The results indicated that roles in the family were allocated either collectively or most likely by elder family members who were also tasked with the role accountability functions. Majority of the roles were allocated to female members within a family such as the provision of resources and nurturing and support role as well as the maintenance and management of the family system. Male family members were primarily tasked with the household finance functions. The findings also indicated that the family members were able to respond with both welfare and emergency affect appropriately. The findings further indicated that family members over-responded with emergency emotions. With regard to affective involvement of the family members, female family members were mostly involved in the interests of their partners, their parents and their children. The findings also indicated a lack of involvement from the male members/partners in the family. Finally, regarding the behaviour control of the families, families adopted a range of behaviour control styles, due to the family’s structure, transactional and organisational patterns. Behaviour control styles that are considered most effective such as flexible behaviour control was observed as well as less effective behaviour control styles such as laissez-faire behaviour control and rigid behaviour control.