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Abstract
Using a multiple embedded case study design, this study highlights the experiences of 26 African American mothers with substance-abuse histories who were trying to regain custody of their children, and 26 professionals who were helping these women accomplish that goal. Thematic analysis revealed that trauma interfered with these women's ability to successfully navigate child protection in two ways: external and internal expressions of trauma. Women who lost custody of their children had more external expressions of trauma and/or all four effects of trauma. Developing trauma-informed services for parents who are child welfare-involved is an important next step.
Notes
1. Trauma is defined as an event in which an individual has experienced, witnessed, or been confronted with actual or threatened death, serious injury, or threat to the physical integrity of self or others (CitationHerman, 1997). In addition, the individual feels intense fear, helplessness, hopelessness, and/or horror as a result of these events that completely overtake individuals' ability to cope, digest, and understand what has happened to them (CitationAllen, 2005; CitationHerman, 1997).
2. Adverse experiences are defined as events that impact an individual's overall functioning but do not meet the PTSD standard as outlined in the DSM-IV-TR. Nonetheless, individuals tend to consider these adverse experiences as traumatic.
3. The two women who exhibited only two characteristics remained in treatment for 14 and 33 days. If they had remained in treatment longer, then more time would have allowed observation of whether the other characteristics also would have been present in their lives.