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New Understandings of Mothering: Mothers in an Abstinence-Based Drug Treatment Program

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Abstract

This paper addresses the impact of substance dependence on women and their children. It examines a small innovative program that integrates parenting support with other rehabilitation for substance-dependent mothers. It uses a thematic descriptive approach to explore how four participants perceive their parental role.

The mothers report substantial changes in their understanding of motherhood and their relationship with their children. The paper addresses four specific themes: rethinking mothering; enhancing maternal capacity and competence; providing mother- and child-centred care; and managing child behaviour. The mothers reflect on the multidisciplinary program’s role in facilitating a more accepting and realistic view of themselves as mothers, and developing appropriate skills and confidence. Their experiences highlight the value of intervention that acknowledges the parenting role and its complex inter-relationship with substance dependence. The program nurtures maternal insight; it supports them to address other aspects of their treatment and to develop sound, sensitive attachment to their children.

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Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful for the assistance of the participants in the Integrated Program, especially the mothers who willingly and candidly shared their views. We thank Associate Professor Athena Sheehan, Denise McGarry and an anonymous reviewer for their comments on earlier drafts. We also acknowledge the input of the late Professor Alison Lee who inspired this research project. This research was funded by a UTS grant.

Conflict of Interest

Cathrine Fowler, Chris Rossiter, Juanita Sherwood and Carolyn Day declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Informed consent

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of responsible committee on human experimentation and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, revised in 2000. Informed consent was obtained from all participants in this study.

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Correspondence to Cathrine Fowler.

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Fowler, C., Rossiter, C., Sherwood, J. et al. New Understandings of Mothering: Mothers in an Abstinence-Based Drug Treatment Program. Int J Ment Health Addiction 13, 173–184 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-014-9518-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-014-9518-x

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