{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.02033492822966507, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 5.75, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Negotiating Identity: Three Events that Weaken the Maternal Identity of Addicted Law-Breaking Women

ABSTRACT This qualitative study aimed to comprehend how mothers experienced and built their maternal identity throughout their lives. Thirty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with drug-using and law-breaking mothers. Results showed that three events were significant for participants: pregnancies, loss of custody, and incarceration. As each event challenged their maternal identity, they questioned their substance use and their criminal involvement. Our results suggest that these events represent key moments to encourage their growing awareness and to foster changes in their deviant lifestyle. We conclude this article by discussing interventions possible for each of these important moments in these mothers’ lives.