Living in an Insecure and Unstable Atmosphere: A Look at the Lived Experiences of Adolescents in Dysfunctional Families
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Objective: The present study sought to analyze the lived experiences of adolescents in dysfunctional families using a qualitative and descriptive phenomenological approach.
Methods and Materials: The participants were 15 adolescents who were selected using purposive sampling from among adolescents in dysfunctional families in Tehran in 2023. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-steps method.
Findings: Data analysis revealed 38 subthemes categorized into 7 main themes, including “the experience of instability and insecurity”, “the experience of ignorance and abandonment”, “the experience of failure”, “harming others”, “negative self-attributions”, , and “tendency to risky behaviors”, “post-traumatic growth”. These challenges can affect the adolescent's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral identity-seeking and contribute to the emergence of many problems.
Conclusion: Thus, professionals need to recognize these challenges and develop effective intervention solutions.
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