Family resilience and chemical dependency: perception of mental health professionals

Abstract

Objective: To learn the perception of health professionals from the Psychosocial Attention Center for Alcohol and Other Drugs regarding the resilience attributes that are critical to family members of psychoactive substance dependents. Method: A qualitative descriptive study conducted from February to May 2016, using a focus group technique for data collection. In total, 15 professionals participated in the study: 13 health professionals and two administrative professionals. The statements were recorded and transcribed, and these data were analyzed using the technique of thematic content analysis. Results: Health professionals recognize the family resilience attributes needed for efficient and assertive communication, as well as organizational patterns and facilitating family strengths, factors that contribute to improved family relationship and family functionality. Final considerations: This study contributed to a perspective of clinical intervention with family members that is not limited to the negative aspects of family relationship and life, such as fragility and family dysfunction. Descriptors: Family; Psychological Resilience; Substance-Related Disorders; Mental Health; Health Personnel. RESUMO Objetivo: Conhecer a percepção dos profissionais de saúde de Centro de Atenção Psicossocial -Álcool e Outras Drogas sobre atributos fundamentais de resiliência das famílias de dependentes de substâncias psicoativas. Método: Estudo qualitativo, descritivo, realizado em fevereiro e maio de 2016, através da técnica de grupo focal para coleta de dados. Participaram 15 trabalhadores: 13 da área de saúde e 2 da administração. Os relatos foram gravados por áudio, transcritos e os dados foram analisados pela técnica de análise de conteúdo temática. Resultados: As equipes de saúde reconhecem os atributos da resiliência familiar que perpassam os domínios da comunicação eficiente e assertiva, padrões organizacionais e forças familiares facilitadoras, fatores que auxiliam na melhora da relação familiar e de sua funcionalidade. Considerações finais: O estudo contribuiu para uma perspectiva de intervenção clínica com familiares que não se limita a aspectos negativos da relação e convivência familiar, tais como fragilidades e disfuncionalidade familiar.

Drug Cravings and Its Relationship With Family Communication Patterns and Resiliency Through the Mediatory Role of Difficulty in Cognitive Emotion Regulation

“…Under such conditions, craving for drugs increases the temptation to relapse leading to abuse drugs (Davis et al 2018), whereas resiliency, as an internal and cognitive factor, can increase cognitive emotion regulation by developing better coping mechanisms and defensive strategies. Reduced resiliency when encountering life events makes the individual feel a type of mental pressure, anxiety, or depression (Zerbetto et al 2017).…”

“…With regard to the positive effect of resiliency on physical and mental health, some basic characteristics, such as being sociable, possessing problem-solving abilities, selfregulation, and having a sense of purpose and belief are emphasized. It has been reported that reduced resiliency against life events is accompanied by a sense of mental pressure, anxiety, or depression (Zerbetto et al 2017). The ability obtained by resilience allows the person to manage difficult and stressful life situations and paves the way for their development and positive balance.…”

“I can’t live like that”: Reflections of caregiver distress from caring for an individual with problematic substance use

“…Caregivers' experiences of emotional burdens caused feelings of confusion, anger, frustration, anxiety, depression, abandonment, anxiety, fear, embarrassment, and guilt [6]. Stigma also creates barriers for individuals with addictions, their families, and health care providers and can diminish the ability to seek and provide resources and support [28].…”

“…Families' resourcefulness demonstrated their determination to nd practical ways to meet theirs and their family's emotional and social needs [28]. These strategies provided encouragement and mutual learning opportunities for self-care.…”

The family strengths in the context of psychoactive substance dependence

“…These forces cover the family organization, through union towards the resolution of the problem, as well the belief in the hope of cure of its dependent relative and its perseverance in the treatment. 7 In the clinical practice of the family nursing, the nurses as they help the family in the acknowledgment and apprehension of their own positive forces, they potencialize and empower them. 8 These professionals, by potentializing, subsidizing and complimenting the strengths of the family, simultaneously, they instrumentalize it to discover existing resources and/or not yet acknowledge, as well as learning new competencies and skills or enhancement in the process of the family relationships.…”