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Prenatal cocaine exposure: Direct and indirect associations with 21-year-old offspring substance use and behavior

Gale A Richardson1, Natacha M De Genna1, Lidush Goldschmidt2

  • 1University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|January 10, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) is linked to long-term behavior problems and substance use in young adults. These effects can be direct or mediated by adolescent experiences, highlighting targets for intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) is associated with childhood and adolescent behavioral issues and substance use.
  • Long-term effects of PCE into young adulthood and their mediating factors remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct and indirect long-term associations of PCE with young adult behavior problems and substance use.
  • To identify mediating factors, such as adolescent experiences, in the relationship between PCE and adult outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study tracking individuals from pregnancy to age 21.
  • Assessment of trimester-specific prenatal drug exposure, caregiver and offspring behavior, emotion regulation, and substance use.
  • Statistical modeling to analyze direct and mediated pathways from PCE to young adult outcomes.

Main Results:

  • PCE showed direct associations with early marijuana initiation, emotion regulation problems, arrest history, and Conduct Disorder at age 21.
  • Adolescent mood symptoms mediated the link between PCE and young adult internalizing behavior.
  • Early marijuana initiation mediated the association between PCE and 21-year marijuana use.

Conclusions:

  • PCE has significant direct and indirect long-term impacts on young adult development.
  • Direct effects of PCE on adult outcomes are not solely explained by earlier adolescent behavior.
  • Identifying mediated pathways offers targets for interventions for children and adolescents exposed to cocaine prenatally.
Abstract

Keywords:
Behavior problemsPrenatal cocaineSubstance useYoung adult

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