Radzenie sobie ze stratą i sposób doświadczania śmierci rodzica przez osoby dorosłe pochodzące z rodzin alkoholowych i niealkoholowych

The aim of this study was to find the relationship between the parent’s alcohol addiction and adult children’s perception of the grieving process. The study involved 112 adult men and women (45 participants whose parent or both parents were addicted and 67 people, whose parents were not addicted). An Inventory of Daily Widowed Life (IDWL) by Caserta and Lund (Polish language version) was used to study the dynamics of the process of coping with loss. Changes in the way of experiencing the death of a parent were assessed by SDS inventory by Steuden and Kurtyka. Perceived dynamics of process of coping and the way of experiencing the death of a parent were compared between those groups. The results show that people from alcoholic families do not differ significantly from the control group in terms of perceived dynamics of the process of coping with loss. However, significantly more people from alcoholic families (in comparison to the control group) are still experiencing emptiness and abandonment (despite the passage of time). To help this group in active search for support could reduce the negative emotions experienced as a consequence of the death of a loved one.