"Early Intervention Services in Case of Perinatal Substance Use"
Minna Sorsa, Tampere University
Marjo Flykt, University of Helsinki
Teija Karttunen, University of Helsinki
Noora Hyysalo, Tampere University
Miia Pikulinsky, The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters
Saara Salo, University of Helsinki

Abstracts:

Opening of the session
Minna Sorsa (Tampere University, Finland)

The Finnish healthcare strategies aim at early intervention and early detection. In this symposium we will discuss nationally the early interventions in substance use services in a perinatal frame. First Marjo Flykt, Teija Karttunen, Noora Hyysalo and Minna Sorsa will discuss the Finnish healthcare and social welfare system as a whole from the perspective of families with infants. Secondly, two specialized services will be presented, the Päiväperho in Tampere by Outi Asikainen, and The Holding Tight® -nationwide treatment system for substance abusing pregnant women and families with infants by Niina Kokko. The last presentation by Saara J. Salo, Marjo Flykt, Yan Li, Mirjam Kalland and Marjukka Pajulo will present the first results from a longitudinal follow-up study assessing the development of parenting among parents with substance-abuse disorder (SUD) participating in multimodal, integrative treatment system called the Holding Tight (r).

"Early Interventions in Substance Use Services in Finland"
Marjo Flykt (University of Helsinki, Finland), Teija Karttunen (University of Helsinki, Finland), Noora Hyysalo (Tampere University, Finland), Minna Sorsa (Tampere University, Finland)

The Finnish system of social and healthcare support to families with small children rely on nation-wide well-baby clinics, which are provided for free. Attendance in the clinics is connected with maternity benefits. Nationwide, families in the perinatal time with suspicion of substance-related problems are guided to the so-called HAL clinics, where the families can receive tailored support. There were ca 1000 families in year 2022. In the first presentation we will discuss the multidisciplinary challenges in the early stages of help-seeking, in supporting families, as well as the rehabilitation programmes nationwide.

"The Holding Tight® -nationwide treatment system for substance abusing pregnant women and families with infants"
Miia Pikulinsky (The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters, Finland)

The Holding Tight system is a nationwide innovation in Finland for substance abusing pregnant women and families with babies. It comprises 7 residential (Mother and Child Homes) and 8 outpatient units. It is co-ordinated by The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters. The aim of the treatment system is to prevent and minimize fetal exposure to substances by supporting mothers´ efforts to stay abstinent during pregnancy and to support good parenting, motivate abstinence and promote maternal reflective functioning (RF).

"Enhancing early parenting among parents with substance addiction in the Holding Tight(r)-treatment system: Intervention effectiveness and moderating effects"
Saara J. Salo (University of Helsinki, Finland), Marjo Flykt (University of Helsinki, Finland), Yan Li (University of Helsinki, Finland), Mirjam Kalland (University of Helsinki, Finland), Marjukka Pajulo (Turku University, Finland)

First results from a longitudinal follow-up study assessing the development of parenting among parents with substance-abuse disorder (SUD) participating in multimodal, integrative treatment system called the Holding Tight (r) are presented. Various risks exist among parents with SUD in terms of early parenting, including the emotional relationship with the child, parental reflective functioning (PRF), as well various well-being (depressive symptoms, emotion regulation), and adult attachment factors. They were followed as key target parenting variables in addition to supporting parents to abstinence in the Holding Tight(r) treatment. Furthermore, as early trauma (adverse childhood experiences, ACE) may moderate the effects of intervention (for example, in terms of the length of the treatment), we examined the role of possible its moderating effect. Overall, the results show the benefits of Holding Tigh(r) treatment and also point to important considerations for the future implementation of the treatment.

Presented at WAIMH 2024 Interim World Congress
June 7th, 2024 Tampere, Finland