Mothering from the margins: lived experiences of incarcerated substance-abusing mothers and the developmental risks faced by their children in Sri Lanka.

IF 2.3 4区 医学 Q2 PEDIATRICS
Kavinda Dayasiri, Gihan Gunarathna
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Children of incarcerated substance-abusing mothers represent a profoundly vulnerable yet under-researched population in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Sri Lanka, the intersection of maternal addiction, incarceration and poverty poses complex threats to child health and development. This study explores the lived experiences of such mothers and the perceived risks their children face.

Methods: A qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted using 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 48 incarcerated mothers in Sri Lanka's largest female correctional facility. Participants were purposively sampled to ensure diversity in age, drug use history and caregiving experience. Data were collected through structured, audio-recorded FGDs conducted in Sinhala, transcribed, translated and thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke's framework. A second-order analysis was performed to interpret systemic drivers.

Results: Five major themes emerged: (1) barriers to healthcare access, (2) intergenerational substance use, (3) social stigma and marginalisation, (4) maternal guilt and psychological burden and (5) coping strategies and resilience. Many mothers described how stigma, fear of withdrawal and trauma hindered timely healthcare for themselves and their children. Substance use was often normalised in their families and workplaces, particularly in contexts of poverty, exploitation and domestic violence. Despite adversity, many participants expressed hope for recovery, supported by kinship networks, particularly maternal figures.

Conclusions: Substance use among incarcerated mothers in Sri Lanka is deeply entwined with structural violence, gendered labour exploitation and intergenerational trauma. Child health interventions must be trauma-informed, gender-responsive and family-centred, promoting rehabilitation while safeguarding child development.

来自边缘的母亲:斯里兰卡被监禁的药物滥用母亲的生活经历及其子女面临的发展风险。
背景:在低收入和中等收入国家(LMICs),被监禁的药物滥用母亲的子女是一个非常脆弱但研究不足的群体。在斯里兰卡,母亲吸毒、监禁和贫穷交织在一起,对儿童的健康和发展构成了复杂的威胁。本研究探讨了这些母亲的生活经历和他们的孩子所面临的感知风险。方法:采用10次焦点小组讨论(fgd)对斯里兰卡最大的女性惩教机构的48名在押母亲进行定性现象学研究。参与者的抽样是有目的的,以确保年龄、药物使用史和护理经验的多样性。数据是通过结构化的、以僧伽罗语进行的录音fgd收集的,使用Braun和Clarke的框架进行转录、翻译和主题分析。进行二阶分析来解释系统驱动因素。结果:出现了五个主要主题:(1)获得医疗保健的障碍;(2)代际物质使用;(3)社会耻辱和边缘化;(4)母亲内疚和心理负担;(5)应对策略和复原力。许多母亲描述了耻辱、对退缩的恐惧和创伤如何阻碍了自己和孩子获得及时的医疗保健。在她们的家庭和工作场所,特别是在贫穷、剥削和家庭暴力的情况下,药物使用往往正常化。尽管身处逆境,但许多参与者表示希望在亲属网络,特别是母亲的支持下康复。结论:斯里兰卡被监禁母亲的药物使用与结构性暴力、性别劳动剥削和代际创伤深深交织在一起。儿童保健干预措施必须了解创伤、注重性别平等和以家庭为中心,促进康复,同时保障儿童发展。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
BMJ Paediatrics Open
BMJ Paediatrics Open Medicine-Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
CiteScore
4.10
自引率
3.80%
发文量
124
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