Personal and Family Dysfunctions of Parents of Patients with Heroin Addiction

Abstract

Results of a research focused on the characteristics of personal and family functioning of parents (mothers and fathers) of patients with heroin addiction are presented. The obtained data indicating a decrease in constructive and adaptation personal resources of heroin addict’s parents. Thus, mothers of such patients in comparison with their fathers are characterized by much severe level of personality dysfunction which, first of all, manifests in difficulties in regulating interpersonal distance, increased anxiety and a desire to avoid trust-based relationships. While heroin addicts father’s personal dysfunctionality manifests in lowering of self-esteem and strengthening of "destructive" forms of aggression. The tendencies of family and personal functioning connected with a role position of parents of patients with heroin drug addiction in family system are revealed.