Mom Empowerment, Too! (ME2): A Program for Young Mothers Involved in Substance Abuse

Abstract

Substance abuse among young people is of critical concern to public health nurses. When substance abusers are young mothers without the skills, experience, guidance, or resources to become adequate parents, this problem is compounded This study examined a community-based intervention program for young mothers from the perspective of 42 participants. A qualitative, descriptive design was used within a process of participatory action research. Two major domains emerged from the data: risk perceptions and behaviors, and health promoting perceptions and behaviors. The study demonstrated the value of obtaining data from the participants and offers implications for practice and research.

Integrated programs for women with substance use issues and their children: a qualitative meta-synthesis of processes and outcomes

“…Baldwin, Rawlings, Marshall, Conger and Abbott [44] commented that women discovered "the importance of developing trusting relationships and positive friendships" (p. 381), which women noted required that they first trust themselves. In addition to an ability to trust others, some studies revealed other factors that may be important in developing capacity for relationships.…”

“…As defined by Smith and colleagues [45], personal agency is the capacity to achieve desired outcomes on one's own behalf through ability, choices, perseverance or planning. Women overcame powerlessness [30,31] and began to discover "their own agency, power and growth" (p. 381) [44]. Recognition of strengths and having a sense of control contributed to improved self-esteem, self-worth, and confidence [31,42,44].…”

“…Women developed a willingness to accept personal responsibility for change, recognizing that they were the only ones who could regain control over their lives [37,42,44]. Women commented specifically on their capacity to decrease substance use and resist the urge to relapse, and on their confidence in being able to overcome their weaknesses and stay sober [37,42].…”

Promoting Participatory Research by Family Physicians

“…15,16 Even so, participatory research has also been undertaken with highly diverse groups, including the homeless, 17 women prisoners, 18 health care workers working with children receiving palliative care at home, 19 and minority groups, 20 as well as across large geographic areas of practice-based research networks. 21 It has also been used with potentially stigmatizing research topics, including pregnant women abusing drugs, 22 alcohol use, 23 immigrants, and indigenous peoples with tuberculosis. 24 Using participatory research with marginalized communities and stigmatizing topics promotes fi ndings more relevant to those who are the subjects of the research and, with all team members contributing to and/or reviewing material before external dissemination, ensures that information is released with community agreement.…”

Perceptions des professionnels de leurs pratiques auprès des parents de jeunes enfants

“…Un des principaux cadres de référence qui permet de problématiser les pratiques professionnelles dans une perspective expérientielle est le modèle de l'empowerment (Baldwin et al, 1999;Devault, 1999 ;Dunlap, 1997;Gibson, 1995;Helfinger et Bickman, 1997;Le Bossé et Dufort, 2001;McCallum et Prilleltensky, 1996;Midmer, 1992;Ouellet et al, 2000;St-Cyr Tribble et al, 2001;Vincent, 1996) 2 . Dunst, Trivette et Lapointe (1994) soulignent que le modèle de l'empowerment s'articule autour de trois éléments fondamentaux.…”