Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Melissa Nugent
1
In 1981, Wegsheider introduced a theory stating, “Roles that individual family
members play reinforce or clash with roles of other members” (Van Wormer, 2008).
means by families is the immediate people who the substance abuser interacts and lives
affects the family dynamics (Van Wormer, 2008). In Wegsheider’s theory there are five
different roles for the family with the chemically dependent person; 1) The family
manager, 2) the hero, 3) the scapegoat, 4) the lost child, and 5) the mascot. The roles are
The family manager is usually the partner of the chemically dependent person.
This person often does more work in the family to make up for the lack of work of the
dependent person. This person may cover up things of the dependent person which
makes the family function. This person often has feelings of shame and guilt (Van
Worker, 2008).
The hero is often the family’s first child who is seeking approval. This child is
the one gleamed to be the best, though often has low self esteem because the person feels
he or she is loved for what one does not who he or she is. (Van Wormer, 2008). This
person. The child who is a hero often will be responsible and becomes a leader (Van
Wormer, 2008).
The scapegoat is often the second born child. This child is the trouble maker. He
or she does poorly in school and is irresponsible, possibly with early drug and alcohol
2
experimentation. The scapegoat is often a risk taker who makes friends easy (Van
Wormer, 2008).
The lost child is the person who is able to entertain him or herself and ignore the
problems at the time in the home. The child does not cause trouble and must learn to
express his or her feelings and deal with problems realistically (Van Wormer, 2008).
The mascot is the “comedian of the family”. He or she is able to make jokes and
entertain the family distracting the family from the problems. (Van Wormer, 2008). The
mascot is often popular. Of the roles in the family, one child can play more than one
role.
There have been several studies completed on the Wegsheider role theory. One
study showed that, adolescents most likely do not play the enabler role in their families
(Verdiano et al, 1990). The roles were highest for adolescents with the hero, then
mascot, scapegoat and lost child (Verdiano et al, 1990). Another study found that, “the
identification with Mascot role behaviors” (Veronie & Fruehstorfer, 2001). Rotunda
reports that “tree factors ("dry" vs "wet" families, family development and the
understanding the treatment needs of families affected by alcohol misuse” (Rotunda et al,
1995).
Each individual in a family functions on his or her own, though all together they
make a family unit. When there is a change of behavior in one person, it affects the
entire system (being the family). The individuals involved in the chemically dependent
person’s lives may be suffering as much as the addict and need help coping as well.
3
Family therapy is often needed with addiction because if one unit in the system changes it
disrupts the whole system. This would be helpful when the addicted person is
recovering. The roles in Wegsheider’s theory have been found helpful in role-playing
4
References
Rotunda, R. J., Scherer, D. G., & Imm, P. S. (1995). Family systems and alcohol misuse:
Veronie, Author's first name initialL., & Fruehstorfer, D. B. (2001). Gender, birth order
and family role identification among adult children of alcoholics . Current Psychology.
20, 53-67.