ORCID ID
0000-0001-7123-9471
Date Awarded
2019
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
Education
Advisor
Charles F Gressard
Committee Member
Tracy Cross
Committee Member
Charles R McAdams
Abstract
The purpose of the phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of male sober partners who are in romantic relationships with women who struggle with addiction. The theoretical framework of the study was social constructivism given the impact of social gender roles on experiences. Five male sober partners were identified as meeting the criteria for the study. Data collection consisted of a semi-structured interview. The interview entailed demographic and open-ended questions that highlighted the participants’ experiences. The primary questions of the study were: What does it mean to be a sober male who is in a relationship with a woman who struggles with addiction? How do the experiences of male sober partners differ from female sober partners? The following themes evolved from the study: relationship vulnerability; course of relationship; others; need for recovery. Implications and potential limitations of the study as well as suggestions for future research are also presented.
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.25774/w4-mg7m-2465
Rights
© The Author
Recommended Citation
Sperandio, Katharine Rose, "When a Man Loves a Woman: The Lived Experiences of Male Sober Partners in Romantic Relationships with Women Who Struggle with Addiction" (2019). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. William & Mary. Paper 1563898845.
http://dx.doi.org/10.25774/w4-mg7m-2465
