Abstract
What is it like to mother an infant while recovering from chemical dependency? That question is answered by this research into one of our country's major public health issues. Research and literature related to drug use by women is generally lacking. Both members of the mother-baby dyad begin their relationship in a vulnerable state and are at great risk for problems. The predominant qualitative method used by nurse researchers has been grounded theory. This method results in describing a process; however, understanding the process and its meaning to those who live it every day is required to better deal with the problem.
Using eidetic phenomenology posited by Husserl, 11 mothers were anonymously interviewed from a Twelve-Step, community-based, women's chemical dependency treatment facility. Transcribed tape recordings were analyzed using Giorgi's method to uncover the meaning of the lived experience in order to understand the subjective perspective of recovering mothers. The lived experience was described as a journey they traveled by the grace of God. Beginning in the abyss of addiction, these mothers experienced God's grace as a force that empowered them to take advantage of the chance and choice to enter chemical dependency treatment while maintaining the care and custody of their babies. Grabbing hold of this rope of opportunity that had been thrown to them, these women participated in a treatment program that provided the education and support to bridge their transition from an identity as a pregnant or newly delivered addict toward that of becoming a recovering mother.
Understanding the phenomenon serves as a foundation for the development of nursing knowledge and the refinement of services. Implications for nursing include recognition of the therapeutic benefit of engaging the patient in reflective, non-judgmental dialogue and the role of grace and spirituality in nursing care. The practice of removing newborns from the custody of their mothers needs to be reevaluated as women cannot become mothers unless their children are available to them to parent. In addition, the need for role models of recovering mothers and the expansion of parenting classes for mothers and educational programs for their young children are suggested.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Dissertation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Phenomenology
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Motherhood, Mental Health, Addiction Recovery
Advisors
Andrews, Clarie M.||Musil, Carol M.||Standing, Theresa S.||Graham, Antionnette V.
Degree
PhD
Degree Grantor
Case Western Reserve University
Degree Year
1999
Recommended Citation
Higgins, Kathy R., "By the grace of God: The lived experience of mothering an infant while recovering from chemical dependency" (2023). Dissertations. 1901.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/dissertations/1901
Rights Holder
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Review Type
None: Degree-based Submission
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2023-03-29
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Description
This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 9949269; ProQuest document ID: 304550097. The author still retains copyright.