Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Attachment status in children prenatally exposed to cocaine and other substances
Ronald Seifer1, Linda L LaGasse, Barry Lester
1Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02915, USA. Ronald_Seifer@brown.edu
Insights
Children exposed to substances like cocaine and opiates in utero showed lower attachment security. Postnatal alcohol use also increased insecurity, impacting child development and caregiver interactions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Health
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Prenatal substance exposure, including cocaine and opiates, can impact child development.
- Attachment security is crucial for healthy child development and socio-emotional outcomes.
- Understanding the long-term effects of prenatal substance exposure on attachment is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the attachment status of children exposed in utero to cocaine, opiates, and other substances.
- To investigate the association between continued postnatal alcohol use and attachment security.
- To explore the stability of attachment and its correlates at 18 and 36 months corrected age.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study examining attachment status at 18 and 36 months corrected age.
- Assessment of children exposed in utero to cocaine, opiates, and other substances.
- Analysis of factors associated with attachment, including child temperament, behavior, and caregiver characteristics.
Main Results:
- Children exposed to cocaine and opiates showed slightly lower attachment security, with a tendency towards ambivalent attachment strategies.
- Continued postnatal alcohol use was linked to higher rates of attachment insecurity and disorganization at 18 months, but not at 36 months.
- Attachment status at 18 months was associated with child temperament and caregiver-child interaction; at 36 months, it correlated with child temperament, behavior problems, and caregiver self-esteem.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal exposure to cocaine and opiates, and postnatal alcohol use, are associated with altered attachment patterns in children.
- Attachment security is influenced by a complex interplay of prenatal exposures, postnatal environment, child temperament, and caregiver factors.
- Findings highlight the importance of early intervention and support for children affected by prenatal substance exposure and their families.
Abstract:
Attachment status of children exposed in utero to cocaine, opiates, and other substances was examined at 18 months (n=860) and 36 months (n=732) corrected age. Children exposed to cocaine and opiates had slightly lower rates of attachment security (but not disorganization), and their insecurity was skewed toward ambivalent, rather than avoidant, strategies. Continued postnatal alcohol use was associated with higher rates of insecurity and disorganization at 18, but not 36, months of age. Stability of attachment across the 18-month period was barely above chance expectation. Attachment status at 18 months was associated with child temperament and caregiver-child interaction; at 36 months, attachment was associated with child temperament, child behavior problems, and caregivers' parenting self-esteem.
