The purpose of this study is to examine the meaning of participation in self-help groups among parents with socially withdrawn children. To achieve this in-depth interviews were conducted with four mothers and one father of socially withdrawn children...
The purpose of this study is to examine the meaning of participation in self-help groups among parents with socially withdrawn children. To achieve this in-depth interviews were conducted with four mothers and one father of socially withdrawn children aged 19 to 39, and the collected data were analyzed using Giorgi’s phenomenological research method. The research questions addressed in this study are: "What is the experience of parents with socially withdrawn children participating in self-help groups?" and "What meaning does the experience of self-help group participation hold for these parents?"
The results of the study revealed four components and eight subcomponents. The four components were named as follows: "Parental Burnout and Early Coping Strategies Prior to Joining Self-Help Groups,"' "Communal Emotional Stability and Practice of Care," "Receptive Cognitive Change and Family Relationship Maturity,"
and "Self-Reflection and the Expansion of Social Solidarity." The interrelationships between the components and subcomponents were analyzed in the context of the study, and a general structure was proposed baed on these analyses. The discussion derived from this study highlights the following points regarding the participation in self-help groups among parents with socially withdrawn children:
First, Parental Burnout and Early Coping Strategies Prior to Joining Self-Help Groups led to dysfunctional coping strategies, escalating difficulties and confusion in the caregiving role. Second, parents acquired emotional security and practical care competence through the self-help group, which functioned as an 'Empathic Selfobject'. Third, exposure to similar experiences led to a cognitive change enabling them to accept their children unconditionally, which contributed to the maturation of family relationships. Lastly, based on a sense of social solidarity to share the help they received with others, parents were found to practice proactive role performance within the community.
The significance of this study lies in its in-depth exploration of the self-help group participation experience of parents with socially withdrawn children, a topic that has been insufficiently addressed in prior research. By shedding light on these experiences, this study contributes to a better understanding of parents with socially withdrawn children and offers foundational data to support them effectively.