What is it about?
This study looks at how addiction affects the relationship between mothers and their young children. When a parent has a substance use disorder (SUD), it can make caregiving more difficult and increase the risk of problems for the child. But not all mothers with SUD struggle in the same way. We observed 77 mothers with SUD and their children in a residential treatment program. By watching how they played together, we identified four different patterns of interaction — from very supportive and emotionally connected, to more distant or inconsistent relationships. We also found that these patterns were linked to certain risk factors, like the mother’s mental health, the child’s age, and whether the child had been exposed to substances before birth. The results suggest that understanding the specific way each mother and child interact can help guide more personalized and effective interventions. Our findings show that some families need support not only for substance use, but also for parenting and emotional connection. Tailoring support to the needs of each mother–child pair can improve both caregiving and child development.
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Why is it important?
This is one of the first studies to look at how mothers with substance use disorders and their young children interact as a pair, rather than focusing only on the mother or child separately. By identifying distinct patterns of emotional connection, this work goes beyond diagnosing problems — it helps tailor interventions that support both the caregiver and the child. At a time when many services focus mainly on treating addiction, this research highlights the urgent need to also address parenting and the emotional needs of children in these families. The findings can inform more effective, family-centered treatment programs that improve child development and reduce the risk of neglect or long-term emotional harm.
Perspectives
As a researcher and clinician, I have often seen how complex and fragile the relationship between mothers with substance use disorders and their children can be. This study gave me the opportunity to look more closely at those early emotional bonds and how they’re shaped by both individual vulnerabilities and broader social risks. What stood out most to me was the diversity in these mother–child interactions — not all were dysfunctional, and some showed remarkable emotional strength despite difficult circumstances. This challenges common stereotypes and reminds us of the potential for resilience, especially when the right kind of support is provided. I hope this work contributes to more tailored interventions that recognize both the struggles and the capacities of these families.
Bianca Filippi
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Patterns of emotional availability, psychopathology, and sociodemographic risk factors among mothers with substance use disorders and their children., American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, May 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/ort0000856.
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