Exploring the Relationship Between Drug Experiences and Motherhood Identity among Incarcerated Women

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

Many incarcerated women are mothers, and their imprisonment poses significant challenges to their motherhood identity. Cultural norms surrounding motherhood characterize “good mothers” as present, non-addicted, and law-abiding, and “bad mothers” as the opposite. For incarcerated mothers, imprisonment may prompt identity negotiation, wherein mothers reconcile with the mothers they used to be, currently are, and their goals for future mothering. Since women’s pathways to incarceration are often marked by drug-related offenses and substance use, these experiences may further complicate how incarcerated mothers navigate their own motherhood identity while incarcerated. In the present study, we explore the relationship between drug and alcohol experiences and motherhood identity using data from semi-structured interviews with a sample of incarcerated mothers. Specifically, we consider how each woman in our study thinks about herself as a mother, her involvement in drug dealing or other drug offenses, and her own drug and alcohol use to determine how they might interact with one another. Finally, we discuss our findings and implications for future research and practice.

Authors

• Sophia Shaiman, University of South Carolina

• Barbara Koons-Witt, University of South Carolina

• Albina Laskovtsov, University of South Carolina

• Kaniz Chowdhury, Wayne State University

• Blandine Soivilien, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth