Unhealed Wounds: The Effects of Trauma on Women\u27s Parenting

Most studies report that between 30% and 80% of women with histories of substance abuse have histories of trauma. Maternal substance abuse has been associated with poor sensitivity and responsiveness to children’s physical and emotional needs, harsher, more aggressive parenting styles, increased exposure to potentially dangerous conditions and a lack of understanding about child development. However, there is a dearth of studies looking at the effects of trauma on women’s parenting. Even fewer studies have looked at the confluence of trauma and substance abuse on women’s parenting and caregiving abilities. Using the Case Study method, the purpose of this study was to understand how the effects of trauma and substance abuse impact women’s abilities to parent their children. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 women who have histories of trauma and substance abuse. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using pattern analysis to examine individual cases and build a conceptual explanation. Thematic analyses involve searching for patterns that emerge from the data. Pattern matching is the most desirable technique for case study analysis. Data analysis revealed three ways trauma affected women’s parenting. 1) Externalized Expressions of Trauma were negative ways (severe punishment, not believing their children) trauma impacted mothers’ relationship with their children. 2) Internalized Expressions of Trauma often were maladaptive coping (substance abuse and remaining in abusive relationships) that resulted in neglecting their children. 3) Intergenerational Experiences of Trauma were the ways trauma was passed down from one generation to the next and influenced parenting behavior. Trauma can affect the mind, body and soul of a woman which can be detrimental to their ability to raise their children. Without some form of counseling, unhealed wounds remain and parents with histories of trauma will not be able to effectively parent and nurture their children