Substance Abuse, Homelessness, Developmental Decision-Making and Spirituality: A Women's Health Issue

A qualitative methodology was used to examine the relationship between homeless women's spirituality, substance abuse, moral reasoning and developmental decision-making. Findings indicated that a lack of development in spirituality and the ability to make decisions in childhood is related to ho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of social work practice in the addictions 2003-01, Vol.3 (1), p.39-56
Main Authors: Greene, Jeanie Ahearn, Ball, Kim, Belcher, John R., McAlpine, Catherine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Decision Making
developmental decision making
Drug Addiction
Females
Homelessness
Intellectual Development
Maryland
Religiosity
spirituality
Women substance abusers
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Summary:A qualitative methodology was used to examine the relationship between homeless women's spirituality, substance abuse, moral reasoning and developmental decision-making. Findings indicated that a lack of development in spirituality and the ability to make decisions in childhood is related to homeless, addicted women's inability to maintain abstinence and achieve social independence. Spirituality impacted decisions to abstain from substance abuse and increased the women's social independence. Findings suggest that treatment needs to incorporate spirituality, family of origin, and the development of skills for independent decision-making. The authors propose that childhood maltreatment, homelessness and substance abuse impede spiritual development. Therefore, substance abuse treatment needs to include a focus on spirituality and moral reasoning in the recovery process.
ISSN:1533-256X
1533-2578
DOI:10.1300/J160v03n01_04