Narrative constructions of family in children with alcoholic family members: contributes of a qualitative investigation

Abstract

With this article we aim to analyse narrative meanings about family, by children with and without alcoholic family members. This investigation underlines the lack of studies about alcohol consumption and its impact to familial environment, mostly on children development. A qualitative design was used, oriented by Grounded Analysis. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview. 11 participants, with ages between 4 and 10 years old that take part of a portuguese social project, were interviewed, six of them have an alcoholic family member and five dont. The results demonstrate the existence of differences between the discourses of the two groups of children that constitute the sample. In fact, family concept of children with alcoholic family members is negative, and reflects various problems and conflicts.