Abstract

Problematic substance use (PSU) has documented consequences for the person using substances and people close to that person. This meta-ethnography aims to provide insight into how families experience family life when adult family members PSU is present. The titles and abstracts of 24,423 retrieved studies were assessed against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fifteen qualitative primary articles, including 393 different family members experiences, were included. The included articles described families from different countries with various socioeconomic status. An unknown invisible intrusion was established as the overarching metaphor. This metaphor was accompanied by three main themes: Taking over the family life, Family survival, and An invisible family. The theme Taking over the family life reflects how PSU affected the family structures and how overwhelming the families experienced these problems. The theme Family survival reflects how family members tried to adapt to life with PSU, while An invisible family reflects how families experienced loneliness and lack of help. We suggest that professionals should move from a one-sided focus on PSU to understanding the consequences as a long-lasting intrusion into family life. This includes both disciplinary development and interventions that enhance family relational practices.

摘要

有问题的物质使用 (PSU) 已记录对使用物质的人和与该人关系密切的人的后果。这种元民族志旨在深入了解当成年家庭成员 PSU 存在时家庭如何体验家庭生活。根据纳入和排除标准评估了 24,423 项检索到的研究的标题和摘要。包括 393 名不同家庭成员经历的 15 篇定性主要文章。纳入的文章描述了来自不同国家的具有不同社会经济地位的家庭。一个未知的无形入侵被确立为总体隐喻。这个比喻伴随着三个主题：接管家庭生活、家庭生存和一个看不见的家庭。接管家庭生活的主题反映了 PSU 如何影响家庭结构以及家庭如何承受这些问题。家庭生存主题反映了家庭成员如何努力适应 PSU 的生活，而隐形家庭则反映了家庭如何经历孤独和缺乏帮助。我们建议专业人士应该从片面关注 PSU 转变为将其后果理解为长期侵入家庭生活。这包括加强家庭关系实践的学科发展和干预措施。