Searching for, finding, and experiencing friendship: a qualitative study of friendship experiences of seven young adults with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effects
Date
2001
Authors
Copeland, Brenda Maureen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This qualitative study into the experiences of friendship of five young adults with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and two young adults with fetal alcohol effects (FAE) helps us understand people with FAS or FAE, from their own voices, experiences and perspectives.
With some recent exceptions, much of the literature on FAS and FAE can be characterized as pathology oriented, that is, focusing on the deficits and inabilities of people with limited consideration of their perspectives or experiences. A great deal of attention has been given to socialising and behaviour problems of FAS and FAE in human services research, practice, and policy literature. However, people with FAS or FAE have had few opportunities to enter into these discussions. In addition, the experiences of people with FAS or FAE are lacking in our knowledge of friendship.
Utilising qualitative secondary analysis of interview data, experiences of friendship of seven young adults with FAS or FAE are examined. Specifically, through listening to the participants this study examines:
• their experiences of searching for, finding, and having friendships,
• the meanings friendships have for them, and
• their views of friendship experiences as they face the challenges of FAS or FAE.
The individual stories of participants' experiences of friendship are presented in their own words. The complexities of their collective friendship experiences are interwoven in a narrative analysis. Key aspects of participants' friendship experiences include: being different and being not different; school, not a good place for me; ruptured relationships, loss of birth mother and then losing count; longing and searching for
friendships; finding, making friendships; company; shared qualities/ experiences; links to meeting others; acceptance and unconditionality; confidante and confidentiality; reciprocal help and support; going through it together; and we work best together.