substance use, women and parenting: preliminary results from a nsw study with women in substance use...
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Substance use, women and parenting: preliminary results
from a NSW study with women in substance use
treatment Stephanie TAPLIN, Richard Mattick &
Melissa De Vel PalumboNational Drug & Alcohol Research Centre
University of NSW
ACWA Conference August 2010
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
Age in years Number Percentage (%)
10-19 0 -
20-29 40 28.3
30-39 76 44.1
40-49 53 30.9
50-59 3 1.7
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 statusEmployment status Number
Student 7
Employed for wages 20
Home duties 45
Unable to work/disability pension
42
Unemployed and looking for work
57
N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only
144(84%)
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 involvementChild protection system
involvement of respondentsNumber Percentage
(%)
Currently at least one child in OOHC
58 33.1
Recent child protection investigation/
assessment or service provision
9 5.1
Past involvement with child protection i.e. previous report,
investigation or OOHC
51 29.1
No child protection contact ever 57 32.6
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 CentreUniversity of NSWSydney NSW 2052
Post-doctoral research fellowship funding for 2008-2010 under a collaborative research scheme between
NSW Community Services, NDARC and UNSW.