Abstract: Recovery Doulas As a Way to Improve Substance Use Disorder and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Rural Montana (Society for Social Work and Research 28th Annual Conference - Recentering & Democratizing Knowledge: The Next 30 Years of Social Work Science)
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Recovery Doulas As a Way to Improve Substance Use Disorder and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Rural Montana

Schedule:
Friday, January 12, 2024
Independence BR A, ML 4 (Marriott Marquis Washington DC)
* noted as presenting author
Jessica Liddell, PhD, MPH/MSW, Assistant Professor, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Annie Glover, PhD, MPH/MPA, Research Associate Professor, University of Montana, Missoula, Missoula, MT
Background and Purpose: Substance use during the perinatal time period negatively contributes to maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes. Rates of substance use during and following pregnancy are increasing, as are the number of children in foster care due to parental substance use. Although MCH needs and disparities are well-documented, little research explores the use of doulas to address the unique healthcare needs of people with substance use disorders (SUDs). In this study we assess the use of doulas to address health disparities related to substance use disorders; evaluate barriers and potential supports for perinatal people with substance use disorders that doulas can positively impact; and identify best practices in using doulas to address the needs of perinatal people with SUDs.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive research methodology was used to conduct qualitative semi-structured interviews with 29 participants who included: individuals with lived experiences with substance use disorders, healthcare and service providers, individuals who’ve used doulas, and doulas. Interviews were conducted from August 2022 to September 2022, took place via zoom, and averaged 41 minutes in length. They were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with NVivo software.

Results: All participants identified unique barriers experienced by people experiencing SUDs, and ways doulas could support perinatal people. Key themes included: (1) Barriers to care, and the needs of people with SUDs during the perinatal time period; (2) Ways doulas could promote wellbeing; and (3) Barriers and solutions related to training and integrating doulas into care for this population.

Conclusions and Implications: These findings indicate that doulas may be well positioned to improve health outcomes related to SUDs and may be an innovative and important way to address existing health inequalities and gaps and promote wellbeing. Findings are currently being used to develop and implement trainings of doulas focused on substance use and recovery in rural Montana.

Back to: Addressing Substance Use in Rural Areas
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