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Externalizing problems in late childhood as a function of prenatal cocaine exposure and environmental risk

David S Bennett1, Victoria A Marini, Sara R Berzenski

  • 1Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA. david.bennett@drexelmed.edu

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|December 19, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) may predict externalizing problems in children up to age 10. This risk is particularly evident in boys and when assessed through child behavior, not caregiver or teacher reports.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Prenatal substance exposure is a significant concern for child development.
  • Externalizing problems in childhood are linked to various adverse outcomes.
  • Understanding long-term effects of prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the predictive relationship between prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) and externalizing problems in late childhood.
  • To identify factors that may moderate or mediate this relationship.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 179 children aged 8-10 years, with 74 exposed to PCE.
  • Externalizing problems assessed via caregiver, teacher, and child ratings, plus a child laboratory task.
  • Multiple regression analyses examined PCE, environmental risk, sex, and other factors as predictors.

Main Results:

  • PCE, environmental risk, and male sex significantly predicted externalizing problems.
  • PCE predicted child laboratory behavior, with a significant interaction with sex: males with PCE reported more externalizing problems.
  • PCE did not predict externalizing problems based on caregiver or teacher ratings.

Conclusions:

  • The impact of prenatal cocaine exposure on externalizing problems may extend into late childhood.
  • Child-based assessments are vital for detecting the effects of prenatal exposures.
  • Findings underscore the importance of early intervention and support for children affected by PCE.
Abstract

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