POTENTIAL OBSTACLES TO WORLDVIEW TRANSFORMATION: FINDINGS FROM DEBTORS ANONYMOUS

TERRELL A. HAYES

---

DOI: 10.2190/PLE7-543Q-7NTF-NQ2H

Abstract

In-depth interviews with 46 members of Debtors Anonymous (DA) reveal potential obstacles faced by group members in their efforts to adhere to 12-step group ideology. The findings reveal that four specific practices or characteristics are especially problematic: admitting powerlessness, attendance at meetings, the openness of the 12-steps to individual interpretation, and a relative lack of group-approved literature. Individual reactions and explanations for why these aspects of the DA worldview are troublesome for some members are presented. Additionally, two external factors are also identified as potential hindrances to successful DA worldview transformation: a prior history of involvement with 12-step groups and cultural expectations concerning money management and attitudes toward indebtedness. Additional questions arising from these findings to be answered by future research are presented.

---

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.