Family Emotional Atmosphere and Addiction Proneness: A Phenomenological Analysis

Objective: This study explored the lived experiences of family emotional climate and its role in addiction proneness among youth with substance use disorders.

Methods and Materials: This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted among 15 young adults aged 20–35 years undergoing treatment at Yaran Addiction Rehabilitation Center in Yazd, Iran. Participants were selected using purposive maximum-variation sampling until thematic saturation was reached. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews lasting 40–60 minutes. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic coding and interpretive analysis based on the Strauss and Glaser approach.

Findings: Four main themes were identified. First, emotional insecurity and weak family bonds emerged through unmet emotional needs, perceived rejection, and insecure attachment. Second, authoritarian or rejecting parenting was reflected in punishment, aggression, neglect, lack of supervision, excessive restriction, and emotional unresponsiveness. Third, identification with addicted parents highlighted the role of parental substance use as a behavioral model. Fourth, dysfunctional family climate included parental conflict, lack of emotional intimacy, infidelity, favoritism, inconsistent parenting, sibling rivalry, sibling conflict, and lack of autonomy. These experiences contributed to feelings of inferiority, failed identity, emotional deprivation, and maladaptive coping through substance use.

Conclusion: Youth addiction proneness is strongly shaped by dysfunctional family emotional climates. Prevention and rehabilitation programs should address emotional deprivation, insecure attachment, parental modeling, family conflict, and ineffective parenting practices through family-centered interventions.