A concept analysis of alcoholic denial and cultural accounts.

Accounts are statements offered by individuals when explaining questionable behavior. Cultures vary in the kinds of accounts they honor, and individuals who deny a problem with alcohol may be attempting to maintain congruence between self and culture. Within this context, health care professionals who challenge a patient's denial may be causing unnecessary harm. The author presents a concept analysis of alcoholic denial in relation to the concept of accounts to explicate cultural variations in the manifestation of denial. The author integrates findings of her own and others' research to advance an understanding of alcoholic denial and cultural accounts.