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The Effect of Prenatal Substance Use and Maternal Parenting on Infant Reactivity and Regulation

Maria Balaceanu1, Stephanie M Engel2, Amanda M Ramos1

  • 1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA.

Infancy : the Official Journal of the International Society on Infant Studies
|July 16, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposure negatively impacts infant temperament. Positive maternal warmth can buffer some effects of tobacco and marijuana exposure, but not alcohol, highlighting parenting

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental science
  • Child psychology
  • Maternal health

Background:

  • Early temperament, including regulation and reactivity, is crucial for neurodevelopment.
  • Prenatal substance exposure (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana) can negatively affect infant temperament.
  • Positive parenting may offer a protective buffer against these prenatal exposures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of prenatal alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana exposure on infant temperament at 24 months.
  • To determine if maternal warmth at 12 and 24 months moderates or mediates these effects.
  • To understand the differential influences of substance type, timing, and frequency.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 404 ethnically diverse mother-child dyads.
  • Assessment of infant temperament (regulation, reactivity) at 24 months.
  • Measurement of maternal warmth at 12 and 24 months and prenatal substance exposure.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposure were directly linked to poorer infant regulation and reactivity.
  • Marijuana exposure was not independently associated with these temperament outcomes.
  • Maternal warmth moderated some negative effects of prenatal tobacco and marijuana exposure, but not alcohol exposure.

Conclusions:

  • The type, timing, and frequency of prenatal substance exposure differentially impact child outcomes.
  • Maternal warmth acts as a significant resilience factor, moderating some negative effects.
  • Early parenting support is crucial for mitigating risks associated with prenatal substance exposure.

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