An Ethnographic-Discursive Approach to Parental Self-Help Groups: The Case of ADHD. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frigerio, Alessandra; Montali, Lorenzo
• Is Part Of: Qualitative health research. Volume 26:Number 7(2016)
• Page Start: 935
• Page End: 950
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) -- discourse analysis -- ethnography -- group interaction -- knowledge construction -- self-help -- qualitative -- Italy; Health -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Periodicals; Health -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 610.7205
• DOI: 10.1177/1049732315586553
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-7323

Abstract

Mutual aid groups have become a common form of help in the mental health field. Although self-help groups are associated with a range of health and social benefits, they remain poorly understood in terms of the dynamics of their interactions. Adopting an ethnographic-discursive approach, we conducted a 6-month observation of the meetings of a self-help group of parents with children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to analyze the discursive dynamics of the interactions that characterized the group. Using a set of discursive strategies and practices, the parents promoted a homogeneity of viewpoints and experiences within the group and constructed a shared and consensual narrative to endorse a specific understanding of ADHD. The production of both homogeneity within the group and a shared narrative served to absolve parents of guilt, helped parents to signify their experience within a blaming social context, and preserved their identities as "good parents."