The Association Between Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences and Marijuana Use During Lactation

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Perinatal Research
• Substance Use Research

Background:

• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to substance use later in life.
• The association between ACEs and substance use, specifically marijuana, in lactating individuals is not well understood.
• Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) may influence these associations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between childhood ACEs and marijuana use in lactating individuals.
• To determine if PCEs modify the relationship between ACEs and marijuana use during lactation.

Main Methods:

• Study included 617 lactating individuals from a human milk biorepository (2015-2020).
• ACE and PCE histories were assessed using the Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire.
• Past 2-week marijuana use was self-reported; multivariable log-linear regressions analyzed associations and effect modification.

Main Results:

• Individuals with three or more ACEs reported higher marijuana use (aRR=2.58).
• Specific ACEs like household dysfunction (aRR=3.08), sexual abuse (aRR=2.25), and physical abuse (aRR=2.10) were associated with increased marijuana use.
• No association was found for emotional abuse, and PCEs did not modify the ACE-marijuana use relationship.

Conclusions:

• Higher ACE frequency, especially household dysfunction, physical abuse, and sexual abuse, elevates the risk of marijuana use during lactation.
• Given potential infant risks via human milk, postpartum screening for ACEs is warranted.
• Further research may explore interventions for individuals with a history of ACEs.