Children in care and mothers from care: a systematic review and original empirical study - a ‘best-fit’ framework synthesis exploring mothers’ experiences of custody loss and qualitative exploration of mental health in care experienced mothers using multi-perspectival interpretative phenomenological analysis. A portfolio thesis

Abstract

AIMS: This portfolio thesis is split into two parts. The first part aimed to explore the experience of women who have their children forcibly removed from their care following involvement with Child Protection Services (CPS). The second part aimed to explore how care experienced women perceive and manage the impact of motherhood on their mental health from two perspective: mothers’ own perspective; and the perspective of a group of professionals who provide support to care experienced mothers.

METHOD: The first aim was addressed by means of Systematic Review and ‘Best-fit’ Framework Synthesis of qualitative data. To address the second aim, a group of care experienced mothers and a group of professionals engaged in semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analysed by means of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

RESULTS: ‘Best-fit’ Framework synthesis of 15 studies included in the review article yielded three analytic themes: Adverse life histories and context of child removal; Immediate psychosocial crisis; and Cumulative and enduring consequences. A further nine subthemes were captured within these three superordinate themes. Four superordinate themes emerged from analysis of participant interviews in the empirical study: The value and fragile benefits of motherhood; When the past and present collide; The value and power of identities; and Engagement with services: the push and pull. Within these, a further six subordinate themes emerged.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the systematic review suggest that mothers whose children are forcibly removed by CPS could benefit from: additional recognition and support for their grief; the provision of safe, non-judgemental spaces to explore their experiences; finding new way of defining their relationship with their children; and opportunities to connect with other Children in care and mothers from care: a systematic review and original empirical study 12 custody losing mothers. Findings from the empirical study suggest that developing mindfulness skills or increasing self-compassion may have some utility in reducing mental health difficulties for care leaver mothers. Parenting interventions such as Mellow Bumps may also support reflection on mothers’ experiences of being parented and how this impacts their own parenting. As relatively little is known about care leaver mothers and their ongoing mental health, an important first step in addressing this gap will be the routine collection of data, in work ideally co-produced with care leaver mothers, to better understand their mental health care needs.