title: Reducing Stress Among Mothers in Drug Treatment: A Description of a Mindfulness Based Parenting Intervention.
abstract: Background Parenting women with substance use disorder could potentially benefit from interventions designed to decrease stress and improve overall psychosocial health. In this study we assessed whether a mindfulness based parenting (MBP) intervention could be successful in decreasing general and parenting stress in a population of women who are in treatment for substance use disorder and who have infants or young children. Methods MBP participants (N = 59) attended a two-hour session once a week for 12 weeks. Within-group differences on stress outcome measures administered prior to the beginning of the MBP intervention and following the intervention period were investigated using mixed-effects linear regression models accounting for correlations arising from the repeated-measures. Scales assessed for pre-post change included the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS) and the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI). Results General stress, as measured by the PSS, decreased significantly from baseline to post-intervention. Women with the highest baseline general stress level experienced the greatest change in total stress score. A significant change also occurred across the Parental Distress PSI subscale. Conclusions Findings from this innovative interventional study suggest that the addition of MBP within treatment programs for parenting women with substance use disorder is an effective strategy for reducing stress within this at risk population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1233 Locust St. Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA. Vanessa.Short@jefferson.edu.
authors.forename: Vanessa L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Short
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1233 Locust St. Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gannon
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1233 Locust St. Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weingarten
authors.affiliation: Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, 1233 Locust Street Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaltenbach
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, 1015 Walnut Street Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: LaNoue
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1233 Locust St. Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Diane J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Abatemarco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
keywords: Mindfulness; Parenting; Pregnancy; Stress reduction; Substance abuse