Poster #51 - Parenting and Family Reunification Experiences of Pregnant and Postpartum Women with OUD during COVID-19

• In Event: Poster Session 19

Abstract

Backgrounds:
Pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorders (OUD) are an especially vulnerable population who experience multifaceted challenges, especially regarding parenting and custody maintenance. Given the widespread evidence of inequitable impacts of COVID-19 on children and families, such as lack of access to essential resources, treatment, and increased psychological stress (Gassman-Pines et al., 2020), it is likely that this population experienced barriers and challenges during the pandemic when navigating daily life and childrearing. However, no research has explored the experiences of pregnant and postpartum women with OUD concerning daily life, parenting, and experiences with child protective services during the pandemic. Therefore, this qualitative study intends to fill the gap by exploring perceived life changes and challenges through analyzing qualitative interview data from pregnant and postpartum women with OUD enrolled in a study of a therapeutic parenting intervention. Findings will inform future practices and policies for these parents and children with deeper insight and understanding.
Methods:
A thematic analysis approach was used in this qualitative study. Thirty-five participants (77% White; Mean age=33; 71% Unemployed) were interviewed between April 2020 to March 2021. Interviews were conducted remotely by RAs, recorded, and transcribed. The Coronavirus Pandemic Qualitative Interview developed by the research team consisted of questions about overall personal and familial change and stability and interactions with child protective services. After reading through the first fifteen transcripts and consultation with the PI, an initial codebook was developed. Subsequently, line-by-line coding and consensus coding were conducted by two RAs using NVivo 12 (QDA software) and subsequently grouped into larger categories and themes.
Findings:
Five main themes emerged in the qualitative analysis. First, participants described mixed experiences with receiving treatment services remotely during the pandemic. While most participants enjoyed its flexibility and convenience, many shared feelings of lacking real human interaction and connection. Second, many participants reported increased negative emotions such as anxiety and fear associated with concerns that the rapid development of COVID-19 may negatively impact the safety of their children and their long-term healthy development. Third, many participants shared multiple challenges in their daily lives during the pandemic, including isolation from family members and change in daily parenting routines. Fourth, some participants expressed negative experiences while interacting with child protective services concerning child custody, mainly because of limited provision of services, delayed case processing time, and diminished in-person parent-child contact. Finally, despite ongoing difficulties, many participants shared their feelings of gratitude for receiving services and optimism with respect to family reunification and future child development.
Conclusions & Implications:
This qualitative study provides valuable perspectives of unique parenting and childrearing experiences during COVID-19 from pregnant and postpartum women with OUD. While participants struggled to navigate unprecedented challenges, including enforced separation from their young children, they maintained optimism and perseverance, particularly within the context of uncertainty. Future research should continue to investigate the long-term impacts of limited interactions and separations between mothers and young children due to COVID-19, and advocate for improved practice and policy for this population within child welfare.

Authors

• Yibin Yang, Boston University
  Presenting Author

• Ruth Paris, Boston University

• Harper Hansen, Boston University School of Social Work