Date of Graduation
5-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Health, Sport and Exercise Science (PhD)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Health, Human Performance and Recreation
Advisor/Mentor
Dobbs, Page D.
Committee Member
Vowell Johnson, Kelly
Second Committee Member
Buttram, Mance E.
Third Committee Member
Davis, Robert E.
Keywords
Opioid Use Disorder; Postpartum; Pre-Licensure Nursing Students; Stigma
Abstract
Objective. To increase understanding of stigma in pre-licensure nursing students specifically related to OUD in postpartum mothers.
Methodology. Using a cross-sectional sample of baccalaureate pre-licensure nursing students (N=118), we measured stigma, knowledge, personal and professional experience, and comfort and confidence in intervening in stigmatizing conversations with peers surrounding postpartum mothers with OUD. Associations were examined between stigma, comfort and confidence, and knowledge along with differences between stigma of those based on their personal and professional experience. Further, participants provided responses to three open-ended reflection questions about experiences with and perceptions about OUD in postpartum mothers. Using a deductive and inductive coding procedure, qualitative responses were coded, and a thematic analysis was employed to determine overarching themes.
Results. Among the sample of baccalaureate pre-licensure nursing students, we found those with professional experience with a postpartum mother with OUD held more social distance than those without (p<.05) on the subscale of the OMS-HC. Self-reported perceived postpartum OUD knowledge was positively related with comfort (p<.05) and confidence (p<.05) with intervening in stigmatizing conversations with peers. Also found was the positive association with objective OUD knowledge and comfort in peer conversations (p<.05). Additionally, social distance was positively associated with comfort (p<.01) and confidence (p<.05) in intervening in stigmatizing conversations among their peers. Three themes emerged from reflections towards postpartum mothers with OUD, emerging perspectives, attitudinal influences, and a desire to care. The respondents shared both positive and negative attitudes towards postpartum mothers with OUD and discussed the presence of stigma and the overcoming of stigma with experiences, both professional and personal. The respondents inferred a desire to provide care, free from judgement, but were not always sure of the outcomes due to the influence of personal attitudes and judgments, resulting in conflict between personal attitudes and professional role.
Conclusion. Postpartum mothers with OUD are a stigmatized population, with negative impacts upon health outcomes. Stigma towards this population may come from pre-licensure nursing students within a variety of settings. Targeted, innovative education is needed to prevent and disrupt stigma in pre-licensure nursing students, to set a foundational standard of addressing stigma towards specific stigmatized populations, including postpartum mothers.
Citation
McCann, R. F. (2025). Exploring Stigma Towards Postpartum Mothers with Opioid Use Disorder: Pre-Licensure Nursing Students' Attitudes, Reflections, and Intervening in Peer Conversations. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/5658
