Role of Family Relationship in Child Rearing of Drug Addiction Afflicted vs Normal Families

The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of family relationship in child rearing of drug addiction afflicted and normal families. Sample for the present investigation was comprised of 270 students (7th to 10th classes) from Govt. High schools of rural areas (Mandoli, Harpalpur and Ajrawar) of Patiala district. Sample covered children who are from drug addiction afflicted families (N=135) as GrI and children from non-drug addiction afflicted families or normal families (N=135) as GrII. Family relationship inventory (Sherry & Smha, 1987) was used to measure three types of perceived parental attitudes, namely acceptance, concentration and avoidance. It was hypothesized that Family relationship in drug addiction afflicted families would be characterized by low concentration, low acceptance and high avoidance rejection as compared to normal families. T-ratio was used to analyze the data. The results of t-ratio revealed that Family relationships in GrI, i.e., students belonging to drug addiction afflicted families were characterized by significant higher attitude of avoidance that is abuse and rejection of children. Family relationships in GrII (normal families) were characterized by significant higher acceptance and concentration and very low on avoidance attitude toward children. Implications of the findings have been discussed.