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.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arney, F., Lange, R., & Zufferey, C. (2010). Responding to parents with complex needs who are involved with statutory child protection services. In F. Arney & D. Scott (Eds.), Working with vulnerable families: a partnership approach (pp. 187–205). Melbourne: CambridgeUniversity Press.
Battams, S., & Roche, A. (2011). Child wellbeing and protection concerns and the response of the alcohol and other drugs sector in Australia. Advances in Mental Health, 10(1), 62–71.
Berry, R., & Sellman, D. (2001). Childhood adversity in alcohol- and drug-dependent women presenting to out-patient treatment. Drug and Alcohol Review, 20, 361–367. doi: DOI: 10.1080/09595230120092724
Bigelow, A., MacLean, K., Proctor, J., Myatt, T., Gillis, R., & Power, M. (2010). Maternal sensitivity throughout infancy: continuity and relation to attachment security. Infant Behavior & Development, 33, 50–60.
Burns, L., & Breen, C. (2013). It’s time to have the conversation: Understanding the treatment needs of women who are pregnant and alcohol dependent. Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales.
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2010). The foundations of lifelong health are built in early childhood. Cambridge: Harvard University. Retrieved from http://www.developingchild.harvard.edu.
Davis, H., Day, C., & Bidmead, C. (2002). Working in partnership with parents: the parent advisor model. London: The Psychological Corporation.
Dawes, S., & Harnett, P. (2007). Reducing potential for child abuse among methadone-maintained parents: results from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 32, 381–390.
DeFrain, J., Asay, S., & Geggie, J. (2010). Family strengths: an international perspective. In F. Arney & D. Scott (Eds.), Working with Vulnerable families (pp. 29–48). Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.
Elo, S., & Kyngäs, H. (2008). The qualitative content analysis process. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(1), 107–115. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04569.x.
Flykt, M., Punamaki, R., Belt, R., Biringen, Z., Salo, S., Posa, T., & Pajula, M. (2012). Maternal representations and emotional availability among drug-abusing and non-using mothers and their infants. Infant Mental Health Journal, 33(2), 123–138.
Harden, B., & Klein, S. (2011). Infants/toddlers in child welfare: what have we learned and where do we go from here? Child and Youth Services Review, 33, 1464–1468.
Harvey, S., Schmied, V., Nicholls, D., & Dahlen, H. (2012). Key components of a service model providing early childhood support for women attending opioid treatment clinics: an Australian state health service review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 21, 2528–2537.
Kaslow, F. (2005). Maternal mentoring: a relatively new phenomenon in family bussinesses. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 16(3), 11–18.
May, P., & Gossage, P. (2011). Maternal risk factors for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Alcohol Research and Health, 34(1), 15–26.
Neergaard, M., Olesen, S., Andersen, R., & Sondergaard, J. (2009). Qualitative description - the poor cousin of health research. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 9 (52), 1–5. doi: doi:10.1186/1471-2288-9-52
Ngai, F.-W., & Chan, S. (2011). Psychosocial factors and maternal wellbeing: an exploratory analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 48, 725–731.
Sandelowski, M. (2000). Whatever happened to qualitative description? Research in Nursing & Health, 23, 334–340.
Scott, D. (2010). Working withinand between organisations. In F. Arney & D. Scott (Eds.), Working with vulnerable families: a partnership approach (pp. 71–87). Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.
Taplin S, & Mattick R. (2011). Child protection and mothers in substance abuse treatment. Sydney.
Taplin S, & Mattick R. (2013). Mothers in methadone treatment and their involvement with the child protection system: A replication and extension study. Child Abuse & Neglect
Tonmyr, L., Williams, G., Jack, S., & MacMillan, H. (2011). Infant placement in Canadian child maltreatment related investigations. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 9, 441–459.
Trifinoff, A., Durasingam, V., Roche, A., & Pidd, K. (2010). Taking first steps: What family sensitive practice means for alcohol and other drug workers: A survey report. Adelaide: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA).
Watson, L., & Parke, A. (2011). Experience of recovery for female heroin addicts: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 9, 102–117.
Winnicott, D. (1953). Transitional objects and transitional phenomena - a study of the first not-me possession. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 34, 89–97.
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.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
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
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-014-9518-x