Publication year: 2011
Source: Children and Youth Services Review, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 12 July 2011
Therese, Grant , Janet, Huggins , J. Christopher, Graham , Cara, Ernst , Nancy, Whitney , …
Women with substance abuse disorders typically have psychosocial characteristics that put them at risk for disrupted parenting. Prior research indicates that comprehensive, accessible services tailored to the mothers’ needs can contribute to family stability. This study further explores the complicated interplay of how maternal risk and protective characteristics and service elements are associated with reunification. The study contributes to existing literature by following mothers for three years; examining service needs as identified by the mother herself; using a summary proportion score to reflect the totality of services received to matched service needs identified; and using logistic regression to examine interactions…
Highlights: ► The sample is 458 substance-abusing mothers enrolled in long-term case management ► Final custody status was among four categories based on parenting continuity ► At program exit 60% of the mothers were caring for their index child ► These mothers had more service needs met, more time abstinent from substances, support ► Mothers who lost custody had more serious psychiatric issues, fewer service needs met