I had to Take Care of My Herd to Not Die Myself: A Retrospective, Qualitative Study of Siblings’ Experience of Family Relations Before Their Siblings’ Drug-Related Death

Abstract

This study explores siblings’ experiences of family relations before their siblings’ drug-related death. A qualitative approach inspired by refexive thematic analysis was chosen for the analysis. Four men and ten women, aged 23–61 and representing all regions of Norway, were interviewed. Three themes were identifed: (1) A changed view of both their sibling and personal relationship, (2) Changed patterns of communication in the family and (3) Coping strategies. The results are discussed through the lens of family systems theory and salutogenesis.