Parenting self-efficacy and empowerment among expectant mothers with substance use disorders

Abstract

Objective to describe parenting self-efficacy and family empowerment among expectant mothers with substance use disorders. Design the study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design. Participants participants were 71 pregnant women with substance use disorders entering a gender-specific, substance use disorder, residential treatment facility. Measurements measurement tools included: the demographic data form, the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale, the Addiction Severity Index, and the Family Empowerment Scale. Findings women in their third trimester reported statistically significant higher levels of both parenting self-efficacy and family empowerment than women in their first trimester. Key conclusions interventions that promote parenting self-efficacy and family empowerment need to target women in their first trimester. Implications for practice midwives with specialized training in substance abuse disorders are in a unique position to bolster expectant mothers’ parenting capabilities during the addiction recovery process.