NCJ Number
58166
Journal
Social Work With Groups Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1979) Pages: 7-18
Date Published
1979
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A GROUP WORK MODEL WAS USED TO REACH ISOLATED MOTHERS AND PREVENT THEM FROM HARMING THEIR CHILDREN.
Abstract
ABUSIVE MOTHERS ARE USUALLY ISOLATED FROM THEIR SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, A PATTERN WHICH PREVENTS THEM FROM REACHING OUT AND RESPONDING TO HELP. THEIR ISOLATION CUTS THEM OFF FROM POTENTIAL SOURCES OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT THAT MIGHT HELP THEM AVOID HURTING THEIR CHILDREN. AS MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS DEVELOP AN APPRECIATION FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF PEER SUPPORT AND STIMULATION, AND THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF ISOLATION, GROUP METHODS INCREASINGLY BECOME TREATMENTS OF CHOICE. HEALTH CENTERS AND MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS FREQUENTLY OFFER PARENT DISCUSSION GROUPS TO HELP MEMBERS DISCOVER PERSONAL INSIGHTS AND STRENGTHS. THESE GAINS, TOGETHER WITH THE INTERPERSONAL SKILLS ACQUIRED HELP THEM FULFILL PARENTAL AND SOCIAL ROLES MORE SATISFACTORILY. THE STUDY IS OF THE GROUP MODEL SET UP BY THE CRITTENTON HASTINGS HOUSE OF THE FLORENCE CRITTENTON DIVISION OF THE CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, AN AGENCY IN BOSTON SERVING WOMEN WITH UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT WAS TO REACH LOW-INCOME, UNMARRIED MOTHERS WHO WERE NOT RECEIVING ANY OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES. IT WAS ANTICIPATED THAT SUCH WOMEN WOULD FEEL STRESS FROM THEIR SITUATION AND IT WAS FEARED THAT MANY OF THEM WERE NONNURTURING MOTHERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH NEWBORN INFANTS. THE GROUP WAS FORMED FROM AN INNER CITY HOUSING PROJECT. THE PURPOSE OF THE GROUP WAS TO HELP MEMBERS IMPROVE THEIR PARENTING SKILLS AND RAISE THEIR LEVEL OF SOCIAL FUNCTIONING. FIVE WOMEN WERE CHOSEN, THE MEETINGS CONCENTRATED ON DISCUSSION OF PROBLEMS, FEELINGS THAT THE WOMEN HAD, AND VARIOUS NONVERBAL METHODS OF COMMUNICATION SUCH AS CRAFTS AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES. THE RESULTS OF MONTHS OF MEETINGS WERE THAT THE WOMEN INVOLVED DEVELOPED MORE CONFIDENCE IN THEMSELVES, THE GROUP EXPERIENCE HELPED TO BREAK THEIR ISOLATION AND HELPED THEM MOVE INTO THE WORLD AROUND THEM, WHERE THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND THE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT THEY NEEDED THAT MIGHT HELP THEM AVOID HURTING CHILDREN. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (STB)