Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 15(4), 2015, pp.352-372.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
This article presents the findings of a small qualitative study of the experience of 10 Irish grandparents providing full-time care for grandchildren whose birth parents were drug-dependent. In addition to the stresses and strains directly associated with caregiving of this kind, grandparents also reported considerable dissatisfaction with the support they received from statutory health
(Publisher abstract)
This article presents the findings of a small qualitative study of the experience of 10 Irish grandparents providing full-time care for grandchildren whose birth parents were drug-dependent. In addition to the stresses and strains directly associated with caregiving of this kind, grandparents also reported considerable dissatisfaction with the support they received from statutory health and social service systems. In particular, they were critical of the attitudes of child protection social workers who, it was suggested, believed that grandparent carers in these circumstances did not need or deserve formal support.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
grandparents, kinship care, child protection, substance misuse, family relations, parents, social workers;
This briefing paper summarises survey findings on the situation of carers who have undertaken caring responsibilities due to parental substance misuse. It discusses key facts in the areas of: demographics, financial hardship, health and wellbeing, children with special needs or a disability, relationships between the carers and the children's parents, and contact with social services. The paper concludes by recommending: that the welfare of children affected by parental substance misuse is promoted across all drug and alcohol agencies and greater understanding and awareness among professionals working in both children’s and adult services of the role of the wider family in supporting children affected by parental drug and alcohol misuse. It also list what carers have told them they want.
This briefing paper summarises survey findings on the situation of carers who have undertaken caring responsibilities due to parental substance misuse. It discusses key facts in the areas of: demographics, financial hardship, health and wellbeing, children with special needs or a disability, relationships between the carers and the children's parents, and contact with social services. The paper concludes by recommending: that the welfare of children affected by parental substance misuse is promoted across all drug and alcohol agencies and greater understanding and awareness among professionals working in both children’s and adult services of the role of the wider family in supporting children affected by parental drug and alcohol misuse. It also list what carers have told them they want.
Subject terms:
kinship care, parents, substance misuse, surveys, child care, children, grandparents;
Families in Society, 92(1), January 2011, pp.55-61.
Publisher:
The Alliance for Children and Families
The number of incarcerated mothers has increased steadily in the past 20 years. The majority of these mothers’ children are cared for by relatives, usually the maternal grandmother. This study examined the unique coparenting relationship in incarcerated mothers and grandmothers working together to raise preschool-aged children. Qualitative individual interviews were held with a sample of 24 incarcerated mothers with children between the ages of 2 and 6, and 24 grandmothers raising their children. The study revealed different variants of healthy coparenting alliances: situations where the grandmother has primary power; situations where the mother has power; and situations where the parenting is shared. The findings also revealed that while they can be positive and supportive, crossgenerational coparenting relationships can also be compromised by negative dynamics including power struggles, relational disputes, disagreements about discipline and undermining behaviours, and the physical or emotional absence of one parent. For many families, the mother’s substance-related problems were seen as a primary threat to the prospect of a positive coparenting alliance. Implications for practice include performing structural family assessments, enhancing jail education programmes, and offering extended coparenting treatment after discharge.
The number of incarcerated mothers has increased steadily in the past 20 years. The majority of these mothers’ children are cared for by relatives, usually the maternal grandmother. This study examined the unique coparenting relationship in incarcerated mothers and grandmothers working together to raise preschool-aged children. Qualitative individual interviews were held with a sample of 24 incarcerated mothers with children between the ages of 2 and 6, and 24 grandmothers raising their children. The study revealed different variants of healthy coparenting alliances: situations where the grandmother has primary power; situations where the mother has power; and situations where the parenting is shared. The findings also revealed that while they can be positive and supportive, crossgenerational coparenting relationships can also be compromised by negative dynamics including power struggles, relational disputes, disagreements about discipline and undermining behaviours, and the physical or emotional absence of one parent. For many families, the mother’s substance-related problems were seen as a primary threat to the prospect of a positive coparenting alliance. Implications for practice include performing structural family assessments, enhancing jail education programmes, and offering extended coparenting treatment after discharge.
Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 7(2-3), 2009, pp.291-305.
Publisher:
Routledge
Place of publication:
Philadelphia
This paper highlights the experiences of grandparents and other relatives living in rural Maine raising children affected by substance abuse. Data are presented in the context of programme evaluation findings from a three-year effort consisting of surveys administered to caregivers and professionals. Findings indicated that caregivers were satisfied with the services they receive when they were
This paper highlights the experiences of grandparents and other relatives living in rural Maine raising children affected by substance abuse. Data are presented in the context of programme evaluation findings from a three-year effort consisting of surveys administered to caregivers and professionals. Findings indicated that caregivers were satisfied with the services they receive when they were delivered in a manner that is respectful of their individual needs and rural traditions and when services extend beyond information and referral. Results of the evaluation contribute to the tenets of the promising practice of low-barrier service provision and the positive effect that support had on the well-being of rural kinship families. Innovative technologies and approaches in service provision not only increased awareness of resources among caregivers and professionals, but also led to the application of such knowledge to both more effective access to services and minimisation of service barriers for rural families. Results also underscored that research, when configured in a way that is flexible and meaningful, creates a valuable opportunity to gain insight from a traditionally difficult to reach population.
Subject terms:
kinship care, risk, rural areas, substance misuse, young people, access to services, grandparents;
Family Process, 47(3), September 2008, pp.357-371.
Publisher:
Wiley
The alarming rate of incarceration of women disproportionately affects women of colour, frequently intersects with the women's substance use problems, and often results in grandmothers providing care for their grandchildren during their daughters' incarceration. Numerous factors complicate the grandmothers' caregiving experiences and contribute to strains that exceed those typically associated with grandparent caregiving. Such complicating factors include the stresses associated with their daughters' substance use problems and incarceration; the complex biopsychosocial needs of many of their grandchildren; the challenging relational issues they must address; and often, the long-term, multifaceted effects of poverty. Despite the critical roles they play, the multiple vulnerabilities they face, and the potential for multigenerational, culturally relevant family interventions to yield gains for all three generations, grandmothers have received little attention in intervention research with this group of families. This American paper provides a theoretical and empirical rationale for the inclusion of caregiving grandmothers in interventions and research with families affected by maternal incarceration and substance use problems, in general, and for the promise of multifamily groups, in particular. Strategies for tailoring multifamily groups with this population of families are also included.
The alarming rate of incarceration of women disproportionately affects women of colour, frequently intersects with the women's substance use problems, and often results in grandmothers providing care for their grandchildren during their daughters' incarceration. Numerous factors complicate the grandmothers' caregiving experiences and contribute to strains that exceed those typically associated with grandparent caregiving. Such complicating factors include the stresses associated with their daughters' substance use problems and incarceration; the complex biopsychosocial needs of many of their grandchildren; the challenging relational issues they must address; and often, the long-term, multifaceted effects of poverty. Despite the critical roles they play, the multiple vulnerabilities they face, and the potential for multigenerational, culturally relevant family interventions to yield gains for all three generations, grandmothers have received little attention in intervention research with this group of families. This American paper provides a theoretical and empirical rationale for the inclusion of caregiving grandmothers in interventions and research with families affected by maternal incarceration and substance use problems, in general, and for the promise of multifamily groups, in particular. Strategies for tailoring multifamily groups with this population of families are also included.
Subject terms:
intervention, mothers, prisoners, stress, substance misuse, child care, families, grandparents;
Children and Youth Services Review, 26(5), May 2004, pp.463-480.
Publisher:
Elsevier
... Only 21% of mothers indicated that they were the guardians of all of their minor children. Rates of guardianship and custody were somewhat higher for Latina mothers compared to African American mothers. The most important sources of care for the children were grandparents, other relatives and foster parents. Of the children of detoxifying mothers, 21% were living with a non-relative, whereas
Conducted in hospital-based clinics in New York City, this study is the first to depict the living circumstances of children of women in detoxification. Structured interviews were conducted with 160 African American and 96 Latina female patients who had at least one child under age 18. Virtually, all participants had used heroin or crack cocaine in the 30 days prior to entry into detox. High-risk drug use was common, including injection, frequenting crack houses, overdosing and trading sex for drugs. Fewer than half of the mothers had a high school education, and few received income from wages or child support. Mothers, with a mean age of 36, reported an average of 2.84 minor children. Only 34% of children were in the guardianship care of their mothers alone or mothers and their partners. Only 21% of mothers indicated that they were the guardians of all of their minor children. Rates of guardianship and custody were somewhat higher for Latina mothers compared to African American mothers. The most important sources of care for the children were grandparents, other relatives and foster parents. Of the children of detoxifying mothers, 21% were living with a non-relative, whereas in a national comparison sample of African American and Latino households, only 2% of children were living with non-relatives. A logistic equation determined that women who did not live in their own home, had less education and used multiple drugs were more likely to have lost guardianship of one or more children. Study findings expand understanding of the detrimental effects of parental drug abuse on children's life opportunities.
Subject terms:
home care, informal care, mothers, risk, substance misuse, treatment, therapy and treatment, child support, children, detoxification, guardianship, grandparents;
Child and Youth Care Forum, 29(2), April 2000, pp.97-112.
Publisher:
Springer
Describes the design creation and evolution of the Family Empowerment Club, a series of therapeutic, educational support groups that teaches parenting skills, living skills, and the use of community resources. The target population is relative caregivers, including birth parents whose children have experienced abuse or neglect, and kinship foster parents. The aim of the Family Empowerment Club is to facilitate family function and promote family integrity. The evaluation and vignettes are included to illustrate its impact.
Describes the design creation and evolution of the Family Empowerment Club, a series of therapeutic, educational support groups that teaches parenting skills, living skills, and the use of community resources. The target population is relative caregivers, including birth parents whose children have experienced abuse or neglect, and kinship foster parents. The aim of the Family Empowerment Club is to facilitate family function and promote family integrity. The evaluation and vignettes are included to illustrate its impact.