Trauma-Informed Parenting Education Support Groups for Mothers in Substance Abuse Recovery

Purpose: A trauma-informed educational support group pilot addressed traumatic stress, substance use disorders (SUDs), and child-rearing for clients who were pregnant and/or parenting young children. Methods: Seeking Safety was adapted with parenting content and delivered at two intensive residential rehabilitation facilities. An explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was used to evaluate the pilot. Forty-eight participants completed starting assessments (intention-to-treat) and 31 graduates completed postgroup surveys (per protocol). Focus group sessions were completed with 19 graduates. Results: Paired samples t tests of intention-to-treat data showed a statistically significant decrease in self-reported symptoms of stress and substance cravings and increases in positive behaviors and parenting self-efficacy. There were no statistically significant differences on lifestyle behaviors, parenting skill, and parenting confidence. Most participants found the intervention acceptable and felt supported to improve their parenting. Discussion: Trauma-informed parenting education support in inpatient rehabilitation settings may offer an important complement to existing SUD and parenting programming.