How great is the risk of abuse in infants born to drug‐using mothers?

Street, Karen; Harrington, Jennifer; Chiang, Wen-Tai; Cairns, PA; Ellis, Matthew S.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2004.00421.x

Cited by 16 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Around 25% of all children subject to a child protection plan are cared for by a parent with a substance misuse problem [5] and one study found a significantly higher risk of child protection proceedings amongst infants of substance-misusing parents compared with infants of non-drug users (32.4% vs. 7.1%) [6]. These figures are similar for other countries such as the US [7,8] and Australia [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

An evaluation of the parents under pressure programme: a study protocol for an RCT into its clinical and cost effectiveness

Barlow

Sembi

Gardner

et al. 2013

Trials

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BackgroundMany babies in the UK are born to drug-dependent parents, and dependence on psychoactive drugs during the postnatal period is associated with high rates of child maltreatment, with around a quarter of these children being subject to a child protection plan. Parents who are dependent on psychoactive drugs are at risk of a wide range of parenting problems, and studies have found reduced sensitivity and responsiveness to both the infant’s physical and emotional needs. The poor outcomes that are associated with such drug dependency appear to be linked to the multiple difficulties experienced by such parents.An increase in understanding about the crucial importance of early relationships for infant well-being has led to a focus on the development and delivery of services that are aimed at supporting parenting and parent–infant interactions. The Parents under Pressure (PuP) programme is aimed at supporting parents who are dependent on psychoactive drugs or alcohol by providing them with methods of managing their emotional regulation, and of supporting their new baby’s development. An evaluation of the PuP programme in Australia with parents on methadone maintenance of children aged 3 to 8 years found significant reductions in child abuse potential, rigid parenting attitudes and child behaviour problems.Methods/designThe study comprises a multicentre randomised controlled trial using a mixed-methods approach to data collection and analysis in order to identify which families are most able to benefit from this intervention.The study is being conducted in six family centres across the UK, and targets primary caregivers of children less than 2.5 years of age who are substance dependent. Consenting participants are randomly allocated to either the 20-week PuP programme or to standard care.The primary outcome is child abuse potential, and secondary outcomes include substance use, parental mental health and emotional regulation, parenting stress, and infant/toddler socio-emotional adjustment scale.DiscussionThis is one the first UK studies to examine the effectiveness of a programme targeting the parenting of substance-dependent parents of infants and toddlers, in terms of its effectiveness in improving the parent–infant relationship and reducing the potential for child abuse.Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register: ISRCTN47282925

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

An evaluation of the parents under pressure programme: a study protocol for an RCT into its clinical and cost effectiveness

Barlow

Sembi

Gardner

et al. 2013

Trials

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“…The medical consequences of substance abuse during pregnancy are well documented (Hepburn, 2004) and there is an increased risk of child protection proceedings in the first 18 months of the infants life (Street et al, 2004). Indeed, in one study, 32 out of 1306 children living with known substance abusing parents were on the social services Child Protection Register in Scotland (Murray, 2003).…”

Section: Mental Health Difficulties Substance Abuse and Child Abusementioning

confidence: 97%

“…In a community-based study, 47% of drug addicts had responsibility for at least one child under the age of 18 years (Gossop et al, 1998). Furthermore, rates of domestic violence amongst substance abusing pregnant women would appear to be particularly high (Velez et al, 2006).…”

Section: Mental Health Difficulties Substance Abuse and Child Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

Child protection in midwifery: A case series

Bull¹

2008

Journal of Neonatal Nursing

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“…Recent work by Taplin and Mattick (2013)) found that of 171 women who were all receiving opiate substitution therapy, almost one third (32.7%) had a child living in OOHC. Whilst maternal (or paternal) substance use does not necessarily lead to poor parenting (Street, Harrington, Chiang, Cairns, & Ellis, 2004), it is strongly linked to child maltreatment and neglect (Blakey, 2012). Mothers with a history of a SUD are often highly involved with the child protection system, highlighting the vulnerabilities of these family units (Schilling, Mares, & El-Bassel, 2004;Taplin & Mattick, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors that influence mother–child reunification for mothers with a history of substance use: A systematic review of the evidence to inform policy and practice in Australia

Doab

Fowler

Dawson

2015

International Journal of Drug Policy

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Background: An estimated 60-70% of Australian children in out of home care have a parent with a substance use disorder (SUD). The assessment of a parent's history and needs and the design of supportive interventions, particularly for mothers who are often the primary carers of children, are important considerations in deciding whether or not family reunification is desirable and possible. It is not clear from the research how the needs of families can be best met. There are no systematic reviews that provide evidence to inform the development of preventative and remedial interventions and related policy options. We undertook a systematic review to examine maternal characteristics and program features that facilitate or pose a barrier to mother-child reunification in contexts where mothers have a SUD.

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How great is the risk of abuse in infants born to drug‐using mothers?

Abstract: Maternal drug use does not necessarily lead to unacceptable standards of parenting. More UK-based research is needed to inform the risk assessment process for child protection.

Cited by 16 publications

References 9 publications

An evaluation of the parents under pressure programme: a study protocol for an RCT into its clinical and cost effectiveness

An evaluation of the parents under pressure programme: a study protocol for an RCT into its clinical and cost effectiveness

Child protection in midwifery: A case series

Factors that influence mother–child reunification for mothers with a history of substance use: A systematic review of the evidence to inform policy and practice in Australia

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