A Life History Study of Adult Children of Gambling Addict Households in the Recovery Process from Gambling Addiction

This study employs in-depth interviews to explore the life histories of adult children from gambling addict households who are in the recovery process from gambling addiction. Participant was selected through purposeful sampling, and data analysis was conducted using Mandelbaum's life history study method, which analyzes life histories through three frameworks: dimensions, turnings, and adaptations. Analysis revealed that participant’s lives was characterized by the overwhelming burden of living in a gambling-addicted household, a theme that was subdivided into seven categories. Turning points in were often marked by a profound sense of recovery found after confronting death, explored in five subcategories. Finally, participants described adapting to their circumstances through the support of church communities that fostered balanced self-care, a theme divided into four categories. This study highlights the research significance of exploring the experiences of adult children from gambling addict households and suggests avenues for further research based on the findings.