Pathways to Parenting Understanding Addiction Incarceration and Parenting: A Pilot Investigation

Abstract

Background: Using a multi method approach which involved the participants filling out questionnaires and engaging in focus group discussions this study explored the parenting challenges, perceptions of social support and re-entry preparation of currently incarcerated, alcohol or drug dependent mothers (AOD) preparing to reenter back into their parenting role, family life and their communities. The sample consisted of 9 incarcerated mothers residing in a department of corrections residential substance abuse treatment center. Findings: The findings suggest that these mothers report having adequate family and personal resources, and rate their parenting interactions with their children as positive. However results from the focus group data reveal that they express concern with specific parenting issues (i.e. parenting children on medication), concern with family support upon reentry (i.e. fragile family support) and dissatisfaction with their preparation to reenter into their families and communities (i.e. lack of job training and employment support). We offer the following suggestions for those working with this population of mothers. Pathways to parenting may differ for recovering substance abusing mother than for other formerly incarcerated mothers. Second, drug rehabilitation transition programs must be structured to provide targeted parenting support and deal with real life issues and concerns that may occur post release.