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Characteristics of Co-Dependence Among Wives of Persons with Substance Use Disorder in Iran

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction volume 14, pages 268–283 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Substance use disorder is known to adversely affect both the user as well as his or her family members. A consequence of chemical dependence on family members is co-dependence. Co-dependence is associated with an excessive focus on the needs and behaviors of the person with substance use disorder. Most studies in the field of drug-related problems in Iran have focused on the substance user, while few studies have been carried out on the family members. A qualitative case study approach was employed to explore characteristics of co-dependence among wives of persons with substance use disorder in Iran where substance use disorder is a notable social harm. Purposive snowball sampling technique was used to identify 11 Iranian wives of individuals with substance use disorder. The data were collected through in-depth, face-to-face interviews, non-participation observation, and document analysis. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The analysis yielded five main characteristics of co-dependence among wives of persons with substance use disorder, namely: Denial, enabling behavior, low self-worth, enmeshed self, and weak spiritual relationship with God. The findings showed that except for a weak spiritual relationship with God, most of the characteristics of co-dependence among the participants were similar to the traits of co-dependents found in previous studies conducted outside Iran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Counsellor Education and Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Parastoo Askian, Maznah Baba & Rusnani Abdul Kadir

  2. Pishtazan Ayeen Zendegi Higher Educational and Vocational College, University of Applied Science and Technology, 1461944567, Tehran, Iran

    Parastoo Askian

  3. Youth Social Health and Well-Being Laboratory, Institute for Social Science Studies (IPSAS), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Putra Infoport, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Steven Eric Krauss

  4. Welfare Organization, Tehran, Iran

    Hesameddin Masoumian Sharghi

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  1. Parastoo Askian
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  2. Steven Eric Krauss
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  3. Maznah Baba
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  4. Rusnani Abdul Kadir
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  5. Hesameddin Masoumian Sharghi
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Correspondence to Parastoo Askian.

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Parastoo Askian, Department of Counsellor Education and Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia. She is now at Pishtazan Ayeen Zendegi Higher Educational and Vocational College, University of Applied Science and Technology, 1461944567, Tehran, Iran

Steven Eric Krauss, Youth Social Health and Well-Being Laboratory, Institute for Social Science Studies (IPSAS), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Putra Infoport, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Maznah Baba, Department of Counsellor Education and Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia

Rusnani Abdul Kadir, Department of Counsellor Education and Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia

Hesameddin Masoumian Sharghi, Welfare Organization, Tehran, Iran

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Askian, P., Krauss, S.E., Baba, M. et al. Characteristics of Co-Dependence Among Wives of Persons with Substance Use Disorder in Iran. Int J Ment Health Addiction 14, 268–283 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-016-9631-0

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Keywords

  • Co-dependence
  • Wife of a person with substance use disorder
  • Substance use disorder
  • Qualitative case study