The treatment views and recommendations of substance abusing women: A meta-synthesis

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to synthesize qualitative data describing the substance abuse treatment views and recommendations of addicted mothers. The meta-synthesis approach is a systematic comparison of qualitative studies all asking the same or similar questions and seeks to result in a theory that cuts across all of the studies. Keyword searches of online databases Academic Search Premiere, PubMed, and Google Scholar were conducted using the keywords: perinatal substance abuse, women and substance abuse, parenting and substance abuse to locate qualitative studies. The author also searched references of qualitative studies to access additional articles. Studies were included if they were qualitative, included excerpts from participants who discussed issues about perinatal substance abuse treatment views and recommendations and were published between 1992 and 2010. There were 30 studies reviewed. Evidence suggests that social marketing of substance abuse services that emphasize comprehensive services provided by caring non-judgmental staff is central to motivating women to enter treatment. Positive client and staff interactions are significant to retaining women in treatment. Culturally competent staff can motivate women who are considering treatment. Gender specific substance abuse services are recommended.