I had to Take Care of My Herd to Not Die Myself: A Retrospective, Qualitative Study of Siblings’ Experience of Family Relations Before Their Siblings’ Drug-Related Death

Abstract

This study explores siblings’ experiences of family relations before their siblings’ drug-related death. A qualitative approach inspired by reflexive thematic analysis was chosen for the analysis. Four men and ten women, aged 23–61 and representing all regions of Norway, were interviewed. Three themes were identified: (1) A changed view of both their sibling and personal relationship, (2) Changed patterns of communication in the family and (3) Coping strategies. The results are discussed through the lens of family systems theory and salutogenesis.

Beyond troubled and untroubled positions – an intersectional analysis of siblings who are bereaved by drug-related deaths’ meaning-making stories about their deceased brothers and sisters

“…A few studies have investigated siblings bereaved by DRDs, a number of which are derived from the same research project as this article (Dyregrov et al, 2022 ; Lindeman, Selseng, et al, 2023 ; Løberg et al, 2022 ; Lorås et al, 2023 ). In one paper from Australia, Perrin ( 2022 ) explores DRD-bereaved siblings’ experiences and points out how a drug-related death is often a stigmatized death and, therefore, prone to a lack of social and cultural recognition.…”