“Everything that I thought that they would be, they weren’t:” Family systems as support and impediment to recovery

Abstract

Family help provision for adults diagnosed with co-occurring severe mental illness and substance dependence is understudied. This article draws on verbally-administered structured and semi-structured interviews with one group of 122 behavioral health care clients and one group of 54 client-nominated family members. In New Mexico, USA these were collected as part of a larger, long-term study. We examine the latter’s concerns and fears, relative desire to be involved with treatment, and difficulties connecting with professionals, as well as forms of assistance they gave to clients and intra-family communication. We found that family members’ actions and communications often support client recovery through resource provision and other, intangible forms of help. However, their misunderstandings of and lack of knowledge about client experiences can also impede recovery. We also compare the two groups of interviewees’ perspectives on assistance given to clients by family members. We give examples of family attempts to deliver help and their consequences. Last, we offer suggestions for providers and policymakers to better help family members achieve their goal of caring for clients in recovery.

Trajectories of life satisfaction five years after medical discharge for traumatically acquired disability.

“…In some cases, family members may impede or undermine quality of life with misguided attempts at support, or by promoting a critical, angry, or generally unconstructive environ ment (e.g., EnglandKennedy & Horton, 2011). Restrictions in desired activities are associated with depression among persons with chronic health conditions and their family caregivers (Mausbach et al, 2011).…”

Introduction to Special Issue

“…Individuals with SUDs whose families are involved in care are more compliant with treatments and experience more positive outcomes than those who do not have the involvement and support of family members (Rotunda, O'Farrell, Murphy, & Babey, 2008). Yet, lack of information, exclusion from treatment, and inability to contact providers are common complaints of family members who want to provide help (England-Kennedy & Horton, 2011).…”

Life after being diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES): A South African perspective

“…An example of this would be various forms of social support, which could include familial support [40,41], improving the person's social support systems with an emphasis on a nurturing system of support [38,42], as well as programmes which offer support [43].…”