["My Own Inner Child Is Basically Homeless" - Examining Sense of Self and Identity in Adult Children of Parents with...

Children of parents with substance use disorders often develop dependent, dysfunctional roles within the family system to adapt and maintain its fragile balance. While these coping mechanisms may provide short-term relief, they can significantly disrupt identity formation and the development of a stable sense of self in the long term.

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of adults who grew up with substance-dependent parents, with particular attention to how this environment shaped their identity and how it influences their self-perception in adulthood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 16 participants, and the data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three main themes were identified: Main Theme 1: "I Pretended Nothing Was Wrong"; Main Theme 2: "The Question of the Right to Exist"; Main Theme 3: "The 'Homeless' Inner Child." The findings highlight the long-term psychological effects of growing up in a family affected by addiction, including difficulties in self-acceptance, boundary-setting, and autonomy.

The study underscores the therapeutic potential of "inner child" work in processing unresolved losses-collectively referred to as the "loss of childhood"-and in strengthening self-identity. A deeper understanding of these processes may contribute to the development of targeted interventions for adult children of parents with substance use disorders.