A Trauma-Informed Parenting Intervention Model for Mothers Parenting Young Children During Residential Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

Abstract

Parenting supports are critical for mothers with substance use disorders (SUD) in treatment and recovery. Early intervention is a vital protective factor for children with developmental and behavioral challenges due to prenatal substance exposure and early adversity. We present the Trauma Informed Parenting (TIP) intervention model for mothers parenting young children while in residential SUD treatment. Its design was guided by principles and practices of occupational therapy, trauma-informed care, and relationship-focused early intervention. We describe the development, implementation and short-term outcomes of the intervention, characteristics of the mothers (N = 150) and children (N = 96), and discuss lessons learned.

Keywords:

• Maternal substance abuse
• child development
• prenatal substance exposure
• parenting
• trauma
• co-regulation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported through the Partnership to Enhance Services for Residential Treatment for Pregnant and Post-partum Women, SAMHSA, H9: T123677A, Principal Investigator: Therese Grant, Ph.D.