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ACWA Conference August 2010. Substance use, women and parenting: preliminary results from a NSW study with women in substance use treatment. Stephanie TAPLIN, Richard Mattick & Melissa De Vel Palumbo National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre University of NSW. Background to study.
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ACWA Conference August 2010 Substance use, women and parenting: preliminary results from a NSW study with women in substance use treatment Stephanie TAPLIN, Richard Mattick & Melissa De Vel Palumbo National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre University of NSW
Background to study • Three year study of Child protection and women in substance abuse treatment • Funded by NSW Community Services, NDARC & UNSW • Concerns about when & how to intervene where parental substance use a child protection concern • Lack of research in area, particularly large scale & with women themselves • Study aims
Why women on the OTP? • Opioid Treatment Program (OTP): methadone (majority) & buprenorphine • Heroin a child protection concern; polydrug use common • 50% (est.) heroin users are on OTP • OTP one of most effective treatments • Large numbers of women on OTP are caring for children; not all known to CP • Attention re take-aways & kids
Methods • Recruited through 9 OTP clinics • Sydney metropolitan area • Interviewed: May 2009 to May 2010 • Ethics approvals and permissions for each clinic • Interviews were 1 hour in duration and had qualitative and quantitative components • Consent to access OTP and Community Services records at conclusion of interview
Data collected • Large amount of data collected from women, treatment, child protection records • Covers participants’ substance use and treatment histories, their demographic characteristics, children and parenting, and any parenting-related interventions, particularly those from child protection services
Sample • Women on the NSW Opioid Treatment Program with children under 16 years • Number of study participants: 175 • Response rate: 60% (estimate) • Participants from private clinics (n= 111) and public clinics (n = 64)
Risk factors examined Maternal: age; age first child born; single parent; mental health issues; substance misuse; domestic violence; lack of social supports; community violence; own abuse history; poor parenting; low income; low educational attainment Child:premature birth; disability or chronic illness; behaviour or learning difficulties
Age of women in sample Mean age at interview: 35.8 years. Min: 21; Max: 52 years. N= 172. NB: Preliminary data only
Indigenous status 39 of the study participants were Aboriginal i.e. 22.7% of sample N = 172. NB: Preliminary data only
Country of birth N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only
Highest level of school completed N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only
Current type of residence N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only
Current employment status 144 (84%) N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only
Recent financial difficulties N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only
Relationship status Not in a relationship 72 (42%) Married/de facto 54 99 In a relationship (58%) (not living together) 45 N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only
Age when first child born N = 172. NB: Preliminary data only
Number of children N = 172. NB: Preliminary data only
Ages of children N = 172. NB: Preliminary data only
Child protection involvement N = 175. NB: Preliminary data only
How often can’t get help N = 165. NB: Preliminary data only
First person turn to N = 167. NB: Preliminary data only
Data yet to be analysed • Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory (BCAP) • Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) • Current substance use and history • Services received and need – especially, parenting related & support services • Child protection reports, interventions, OOHC history • Drug treatment interventions/services • Parenting efficacy; impact of substance use on parenting & caring for children • And lots more
Dr Stephanie Taplin * Research Fellow National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre University of NSW Sydney NSW 2052 s.taplin@unsw.edu.au Post-doctoral research fellowship funding for 2008-2010 under a collaborative research scheme between NSW Community Services, NDARC and UNSW.