AN ILLUMINATIVE EVALUATION OF SCHOOL-BASED SUPPORT GROUPS FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH AN ADDICTIVE PARENT.
Contributors: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 247
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Education, Guidance and Counseling.
Description: Children of addictive parents are at risk for developing multiple problems. Only five percent of them receive any supportive services. School-based support groups have been developed to help adolescents with an addictive parent. However, there was not a comprehensive description of the program or an evaluation of its effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate these groups.

A qualitative design using the illuminative evaluation model provided a description and evaluation of the critical features, processes and benefits of a school-based support group from the perspectives of co-facilitators and participants. The study provided information on the support groups from two schools including their operation; the learning environment; their advantages and disadvantages; and the benefits of the program.

The multiple strategies for collecting data included interviews with the program administrator, the substance abuse consultant, the co-facilitators, and the adolescent group participants; examination of documents and records regarding the program; and participant observations of all support group sessions at two different high schools. A total of twenty-one participants comprised the sample for the participant observations. At the end of the support group sessions, a focus group evaluation was conducted, as well as, obtaining written evaluations of the experience.

The data analysis was guided by the modified constant comparative method of Lincoln and Guba (1985). The study resulted in a description of the group structure, function, critical features and delineation of the phases in the group process. Several group processes were identified including: recognizing commonalities, creating a caring community, establishing reciprocal relationships, recognizing patterns, and empowering the student. In addition, the following benefits of support group participation were identified by participants: increased knowledge regarding the impact of addiction on the family, improvement in relationships with family and friends, increased coping strategies, increased resiliency and enhanced school performance. Finally, the weaknesses of the groups and participants' suggestions for improvement are presented.

This study provides an in depth understanding of a school-based support group for adolescents with an addictive parent. Recommendations for nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research are addressed.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-01, Section: B, page: 0237.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER, 1995.

School code: 0831.