Contextual risk and psychosocial profiles of opioid-using mothers: A mixed-methods study

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Karina Beltrán-Arzate
  • Kevin Hodson
  • Haley K. Tes
  • Sarah Anne H. Bowyer
  • Hollis C. Ratliff
  • Michael M. Abraham
  • Elizabeth Johnson
  • Malinda Harris
  • Jäkel, Julia

Introduction: There is an increase in cases of mothers using opioids during pregnancy in the United States but research investigating mothers’ psychosocial environments along with individual variability among this high-risk group of women is scarce. Methods: This mixed-methods study aims to examine the complex interplay of contextual risks and experiences of opioid-using mothers. A sample of 50 opioid-using biological mothers of infants diagnosed with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) were studied using a set of standardized and open-ended questions, along with medical records extraction. Results: A high-risk subgroup of 36 mothers was identified using cluster analysis, characterized by a distinct profile of psychosocial risk. Thematic content analysis revealed four themes: (1) barriers to communication and mistrust of health professionals, (2) limitations of access to health care and the amplification of disadvantages related to COVID-19, (3) lifelong consequences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and (4) intimate partner violence and its influence on drug use. Conclusion: Our findings highlight important information toward health services provision for opioid-using women of childbearing age. Efforts to reduce opioid usage in mothers need to consider psychosocial and contextual risks.

Original languageEnglish
JournalWomen's Health
Volume17
ISSN1745-5057
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2021.

    Research areas

  • adverse experiences, contextual and psychosocial risk, in-utero opioid use, poverty

ID: 393152813