Abstract
This study examined the narrative process of parents who were dealing with their children’s "delinquency" and explored
the role of a self-help group in this process. Data were collected by participant observation and interviews with group
members. The analysis focused on narrative form and parents’ experiences while narrating, as well as on narrative
content. The results show that the focus of the narratives shifted from suffering from the "delinquency" to a
reconsideration of the "delinquency" and, finally, to an acceptance of the "delinquency". These shifts were understood
as stages in a process whereby the possible meanings of events expanded as multiple narrative perspectives were offered.
Indeed, parents became aware of new ways of thinking as members shared their narratives and then tried to incorporate
these novel perspectives into alternative stories. During this process, the group provided parents with new perspectives,
accepted their feelings, and supported their journey through a long and difficult period.
