Experiences and perceptions of parents of adolescents addicted to methamphetamine in Manenberg.

Abstract

The increase of substance abuse among adolescents, especially methamphetamine (MA) abuse has lead to an international crisis in terms of social, health and economic policies. Consequently, studies have drawn attention to adolescent MA consumption as a means of coping with, or escaping from family strife where the influence of the parent decreased. The aim of this study was to explore parents' experiences and perceptions of adolescents addicted to methamphetamine in Manenberg. The objective of the study was to explore the experiences, internal conflicts and external forces impacting on parents as they sought to process their children's addiction. Another objective was to explore parents' perceptions of factors impacting on adolescent MA use. Purposive sampling was utilised in order to recruit adult participants whose children are addicted to MA in order to constitute focus groups. The aims, objectives and ethics; as well as the right to terminate participation was explained to participants and written, informed consent was obtained. This qualitative study was undertaken utilising semi-structured interviews, which were audiorecorded, translated and transcribed, coded and analysed in order to identify common themes presented by the participants. A Phenomenological theoretical framework provided insight and understanding of parent's perceptions and experiences. The study found that parents' experiences with adolescents revolved around physical confrontations, verbal abuse and parental hypervigilance. The study also found that parents experienced a progression of emotions toward adolescents ranging from covert P-A bonds, to a final silent 'death wish'. A 'normal' day for parents was characterised by practices of hyper-vigilance around valuables, while parental stress and experiences of economic instability contributed to health challenges. Perceptions of factors impacting on adolescent MA use included the private domain, the social influences of other parents who abused substances and peer pressure. Limtations of the study revolved around the small sample size and the focus groups consisting of females. Recommendations revolved around males in the sample and expanding the study to other metropolitan areas. By highlighting parents experiences and perceptions, the study has provided parents with a platform to raise their concerns.