Treatment for substance use disorder in mothers of young children: A systematic review of maternal substance use and child mental health outcomes.

Substance use disorders (SUD) in mothers of young children can negatively impact the family unit and promote the intergenerational cycle of mental health disorders. This systematic review aims to: 1) provide an overview of substance use treatments for mothers of young children (from birth to 5 years old); 2) synthesize findings on maternal substance use and child/maternal mental health outcomes; and 3) identify key treatment components. Database searches in Medline, PsycINFO, PubMED, and PsycARTICLES were conducted on May 7th, 2024.

Changes in Maternal Substance Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: Maternal stress and mental health challenges have increased since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began. Experts are concerned about elevated substance use given its well-known association with negative emotions, but existing research has not examined substance use among mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a crucial next step to inform policy and service supports given links between maternal substance use and adverse family experiences.