Interpersonal Perception in Addict Families

Abstract

A technique called the "Interperception Matrix" was devised to investigate interpersonal perception in eight families in which addicted offspring maintained close parental ties. The addict families were compared with eight matched control families. Several differences were found between the two types of families. In addict families: (a) addicts, their fathers, and their mothers all held the addicts in low regard; (b) addicts were described as very different from their parents; (c) parents and addicts disagreed more in their perception of the addicts; (d) there was a consensus that the addicts' major flaws were passivity and dependence; and (e) the addicts' mothers described themselves as less agreeable and more passive. Addict families and control families were similar in their descriptions of an ideal for the offspring and in generally favorable descriptions of both parents. These results extend and partially validate clinical observations that social perception in addict families serves to perpetuate opiate addiction by undermining addicts' self-esteem. These data, in conjunction with new understandings emerging from the addiction literature, support an approach to addiction therapy based on reframing family perception.

Alcohol and Drug Use, Family Situation and School Performance in Adolescent Children of Alcoholics

“…This view, which regards the adolescent user as weak and inadequate, drives the parents to adopt a 'double-standard of values', one for themselves and another for their children. This double standard predominates in the field of drug use (Reilly, 1975;Alexander & Dibb, 1977). The adolescent rationalises his or her use through comparisons with the drinking parent.…”

Family's impact on health: A critical review.

“…An overall Family Effectiveness score is also obtained. Alexander and Dibb (1) used the Family Concept Q Sort to compare interfamily perceptions of the families of drug addicts and controls. The addicts and their parents described the addict as more passive and dependent than their ideals.…”

“…Several studies have demonstrated that addicts perceive their fathers as weak, uninvolved or absent, supplying harsh and inconsistent discipline (63, 104, 115). Alexander and Dibb (1) compared interpersonal perceptions within addict and control families and found that addicts were held in lower regard and thought to be too passive and dependent by the addict as well as his or her parents. The authors suggested that these perceptions undermined the addict’s self-esteem and tended to perpetuate the addiction.…”

Preventing drug habits by changing physician habits: Obstacles and opportunities.

“…The risk of drug abuse has also been approached by identifying those characteristics of “healthy” families with little or no drug abuse. In these families, offspring perceive more love from their parents (66); there is less discrepancy between parental perceptions and ambitions for their children (2); parents are more compatible with their children’s friends, exerting more influence on their children than peers do (29); both parents and peers are less tolerant of drug use (29); families function more democratically with better communication, more spontaneous agreement, deliberate decisionmaking, and cohesion (12, 39); families demonstrate more traditionalism and religiosity, respect for God and country, and transgenerational family pride; families practice authoritative, family-centered child-rearing emphasizing togetherness and cohesion, discipline, self-control, but less freedom for their children; they also demonstrate more teasing, and having fun together (9). Some of these “healthy” families have been characterized as “benevolent dictatorships” with elements of rigidity and “adamant beliefs that the status quo is right, that racial segregation is desirable, and that those who want social change are menaces” resulting often in “smug, dogmatic” children (9).…”