GUILT, BLAME, AND RESPONSIBILITY: THE EXPERIENCES OF PARENTS AND CLINICIANS PROVIDING SERVICES TO ADOLESCENTS WITH CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE CHALLENGES

Abstract

GUILT, BLAME, AND RESPONSIBILITY: THE EXPERIENCES OF PARENTS AND CLINICIANS PROVIDING SERVICES TO ADOLESCENTS WITH COOCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE CHALLENGES By Katherine Corinne Cohen-Filipic, M.S.W. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2013 Major Director: Kia J. Bentley, Ph.D. Professor of Social Work The purpose of this study is to understand and describe the experiences of parents of, and clinicians who provide services to, adolescents with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges, particularly as they relate to issues of guilt, blame, and responsibility. The study is based in a theoretical framework derived from Symbolic Interactionism (Blumer, 1969), Attribution Theory (Heider, 1958), and Barrett‘s (1995) Theory of Guilt and Shame. The guiding question the study is: What are the experiences of parents of adolescents with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse challenges and clinicians who provide treatment services around issues of blame, guilt, and responsibility, and how do those experiences shape their collaboration? Twenty three participants engaged in in-depth interviews. The results have been analyzed using a phenomenological approach to qualitative research. The results of the study have been