Title

Engagement in Early Intervention Services Among Mothers in Recovery From Opioid Use Disorders

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry; Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center

Publication Date

2020-02-01

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Maternal and Child Health | Pediatrics | Psychiatry | Psychiatry and Psychology | Substance Abuse and Addiction | Women's Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Opioid-exposed infants frequently qualify for early intervention (EI). However, many eligible families choose not to enroll in this voluntary service. This study aims to understand the perceptions and experiences that may impact engagement with, and the potential benefits of, EI services among mothers in recovery from opioid use disorders (OUDs).

METHODS: We conducted semistructured qualitative interviews (n = 22) and 1 focus group (n = 6) with mothers in recovery from OUDs in western Massachusetts. Transcripts were coded and analyzed by using a descriptive approach.

RESULTS: The mean participant age was 32 years, and 13 had a high school degree or less. Five major themes emerged revealing mothers' development through stages of engagement in EI services: (1) fear, guilt, and shame related to drug use (emotions acting as barriers to enrollment); (2) the question of whether it is "needed" (deciding whether there is value in EI for opioid-exposed infants); (3) starting with "judgment" (baseline level of perceived stigma that parents in recovery associate with EI); (4) breaking down the "wall" (how parents overcome the fear and perceived judgment to build partnerships with providers); and (5) "above and beyond" (need for a personal connection with mothers and concrete supports through EI in addition to the child-focused services provided).

CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to engagement in EI among mothers in recovery from OUDs include a range of emotions, perceived stigma, and ambivalence. An effort to purposefully listen to and care for mothers through a strengths-based, bigenerational approach may help establish greater connections and foster stronger EI engagement among families affected by OUDs.

DOI of Published Version

10.1542/peds.2019-1957

Source

Pediatrics. 2020 Feb;145(2). pii: peds.2019-1957. doi: 10.1542/peds.2019-1957. Link to article on publisher's site

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Pediatrics

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

PubMed ID

31992649

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS