Keeping the balance. The efforts of bereaved siblings prior to their brothers’ or sisters’ drug‐related death

• Published in: Journal of family therapy Vol. 44; no. 3; pp. 384 - 395
• Main Authors: Løberg, Aina Helen, Lindeman, Sari Kaarina, Lorås, Lennart
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Warrington Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.08.2022
• Subjects: Bereavement; Death & dying; Drugs; drug‐related death; Emotional support; Families & family life; homoeostasis; Interviews; practical support; Reflexivity; Siblings; Siblings’ efforts; social inclusion; Social integration; Substance abuse
• ISSN: 0163-4445; 1467-6427
• DOI: 10.1111/1467-6427.12385

The aim of this study is to explore the burdens on siblings prior to their siblings’ deaths. A qualitative approach using reflexive thematic analysis was chosen. Fourteen interviews were conducted. The research question for this study is as follows: What did the bereaved siblings’ efforts consist of while their siblings with problematic substance use were alive? The interviews had a retrospective focus; hence, participants were asked to discuss the time prior to their siblings’ drug‐related death. Three different tasks were identified using reflexive thematic analysis: (1) emotional support, (2) social inclusion and (3) practical support. The findings of this study are discussed in relation to homoeostasis. Homoeostasis refers to an understanding of the family as a system in which family rules contribute to maintaining the status quo.