Peer-reviewed article
Mothering from the margins: lived experiences of incarcerated substance-abusing mothers and the developmental risks faced by their children in Sri Lanka.
Dayasiri K, Gunarathna G ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This qualitative study explores the experiences of 48 incarcerated mothers with substance use problems in Sri Lanka's largest female prison and the developmental risks their children face. The research found that mothers face interconnected barriers including limited healthcare access, social stigma, intergenerational substance use patterns, and psychological trauma, all worsened by poverty and domestic violence. Despite these challenges, many mothers showed resilience and hope for recovery, supported by family networks. The study argues that child health interventions must be trauma-informed, gender-responsive and family-centred to support both maternal recovery and child development.
Key points
- Five major themes identified: barriers to healthcare access, intergenerational substance use, social stigma and marginalisation, maternal guilt and psychological burden, and coping strategies and resilience
- Stigma, fear of withdrawal and trauma hindered timely healthcare for mothers and their children
- Substance use was often normalised in families and workplaces, particularly in contexts of poverty, exploitation and domestic violence
- Many mothers expressed hope for recovery, supported by kinship networks, particularly maternal figures
- Substance use among incarcerated mothers is deeply linked to structural violence, gendered labour exploitation and intergenerational trauma
Limitations
This is a qualitative study based on focus group discussions with incarcerated mothers in one facility, so findings may not be generalisable to all incarcerated substance-abusing mothers in Sri Lanka or other countries. The study does not provide quantitative data on the actual developmental outcomes of children or measure the impact of any specific interventions.
Abstract
Background Children of incarcerated substance-abusing mothers represent a profoundly vulnerable yet under-researched population in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Sri Lanka, the intersection of maternal addiction, incarceration and poverty poses complex threats to child health and development. This study explores the lived experiences of such mothers and the perceived risks their children face. Methods A qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted using 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 48 incarcerated mothers in Sri Lanka's largest female correctional facility. Participants were purposively sampled to ensure diversity in age, drug use history and caregiving experience. Data were collected through structured, audio-recorded FGDs conducted in Sinhala, transcribed, translated and thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke's framework. A second-order analysis was performed to interpret systemic drivers. Results Five major themes emerged: (1) barriers to healthcare access, (2) intergenerational substance use, (3) social stigma and marginalisation, (4) maternal guilt and psychological burden and (5) coping strategies and resilience. Many mothers described how stigma, fear of withdrawal and trauma hindered timely healthcare for themselves and their children. Substance use was often normalised in their families and workplaces, particularly in contexts of poverty, exploitation and domestic violence. Despite adversity, many participants expressed hope for recovery, supported by kinship networks, particularly maternal figures. Conclusions Substance use among incarcerated mothers in Sri Lanka is deeply entwined with structural violence, gendered labour exploitation and intergenerational trauma. Child health interventions must be trauma-informed, gender-responsive and family-centred, promoting rehabilitation while safeguarding child development.