No other choice than to go on – mothers’ experiences of sharing parenthood with someone who has a problematic alcohol use

ABSTRACT

Having someone with problematic alcohol use in one’s life is connected to reduced personal wellbeing. For children in such families, support from a parent without alcohol problems can be a protective factor. However, there is a limited body of research on the challenges facing parents who do not have a drinking problem of their own but have children with someone who does. This study investigates how mothers are affected by the other parent’s problematic alcohol use and how mothers’ need for support can be understood. The study uses a qualitative design and consists of interviews with 23 mothers who have children together with a man who has a problematic alcohol use. The Stress-Strain-Coping-Support model developed by Orford and colleagues, is used in the analysis. Even though most mothers in the study are separated, they describe a lot of stress and strain, caused by the father’s problematic alcohol use. Parenthood can be regarded as a special form of stress. Constant worrying for your children is also a special form of strain affecting the parent without problematic alcohol use. Three areas of support needs are identified: therapeutic support, information and help to manage the father. However, the study also reveals great difficulties in finding support.

KEYWORDS:

• Affected family members
• alcohol
• SSCS
• support

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Folkhälsomyndigheten.