Mary Motz

Developmental differences in study behavior.

This study is a developmental examination of strategy instruction and the context that promotes when and how strategy instruction is maximized. The 4 experimental manipulations included comparisons between 2 strategy conditions, familiar and unfamiliar text, dyad versus individual study, and 4 age groups (M = 10.5, 14.7, 19.9, and 21.9 years). The 486 students from Grades 5-6, and 9-10 and 1st- and 4th-year university were assigned randomly to 1 strategy condition (self-study or elaborative interrogation) and 1 study context (dyad or individual). Participants studied and recalled 60 facts about familiar and unfamiliar animals. Explicit instruction in elaborative interrogation promoted memory performance, especially in the younger population. Studying in dyads enhanced memory and quality of study across age. To enhance text learning performance, students should be given explicit strategy instruction and should study interactively with their peers.

‘Breaking the Cycle’ of maternal substance use through relationships: a comparison of integrated approaches

Abstract Background: To compare a novel relationship-focused intervention (RFI) for maternal substance use, offered through ‘Breaking the Cycle (BTC)’, to standard integrated treatment (SIT). Although SIT focuses on the mother–child relationship tangentially by providing basic parenting information, RFI involves a central focus on promoting healthy maternal relationships with a particular emphasis on fostering mother–child interactions. Method: Measures in the domains of addiction, relationship capacity, and mental health were administered to 65 women receiving RFI and 25 receiving SIT, at intake (T1) and one year later (T2). Results: While both groups of mothers improved in addiction severity, women receiving RFI also improved in mental health functioning and relationship capacity. Improvements in relationship capacity predicted addiction severity, over and above improvements in abstinence self-efficacy, social support, and mental health. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of a relationship-focus in assisting mothers to make broad changes that support addiction recovery. Implications and future directions are discussed.

Reasons for substance use continuation and discontinuation during pregnancy: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND Substance use during pregnancy is a major public health concern, stemming from potential physical and psychosocial harms to both the mother and child. PURPOSE To understand womens experiences using substances during pregnancy and the reasons that women continue and/or discontinue using substances. METHODS Focus groups were conducted with women who attended an early intervention program for pregnant or parenting women with substance use issues. RESULTS Women identified that external and internal stressors, feelings of guilt and low-self efficacy, and a lack of understanding of the scientific and medical consequences of substance use contributed to their continued substance use. Conversely, women highlighted the importance of high self-efficacy and the quality of relationships when trying to make positive changes to their substance use during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Recommendations are proposed for easier access to and more comprehensive services. Healthcare professionals and service providers should offer non-judgmental care by building high-quality relationships with pregnant women with substance use issues, to increase these womens self-efficacy and empower them to discontinue substance use.

Readiness for Treatment: Does It Matter for Women with Substance Use Problems Who Are Parenting?

This study examined changes in outcomes for women in an outpatient, integrated substance use and parenting program in Toronto, Canada, and tested whether their self-reported treatment readiness at intake predicted changes in substance use and parenting outcomes from intake to 12 months after intake. Although there were improvements in both substance use and parenting outcomes, self-reported treatment readiness only predicted changes in parenting attitudes. In response to the unexpected findings, treatment readiness with respect to substance use and parenting-related goals in the integrated programs was discussed. Rather than being a barrier to treatment, women’s role as caregivers might be an important factor to treatment participation and outcomes. The importance of having a comprehensive focus in treatment for women with substance use problems who are parenting was also highlighted for future research and treatment implications.

Substance Use in Pregnancy Among Vulnerable Women Seeking Addiction and Parenting Support

Substance use during pregnancy is associated with obstetrical and fetal complications. Though use of some substances is discontinued during pregnancy, use of others persists. Our goal was to characterize substance-specific use and patterns of use throughout pregnancy among vulnerable women who attended an early intervention program for women with substance use issues. Through retrospective analyses of client records (1995–2016; N = 470), results indicated that the greatest number of women continued use of tobacco and cannabis for the duration of pregnancy (n = 232; 84.4% and n = 102; 60.0%, respectively), while the proportion of women continuing opioid use was relatively high (n = 33; 57.9%). Relapse rates were high for women who initially attempted to discontinue use of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin. Results can inform intervention and treatment by indicating which substances are more difficult to discontinue, as well as substances associated with high rates of relapse.