Motherhood and drug-dependency: the attributes of full-time versus part-time responsibility for child care

M R Jackson1, G L Berry

  • 1Southwest Regional Laboratory, Los Alamitos, California 90720.

This study examined differences between the maternal characteristics of African-American drug-dependent mothers who have full-time responsibility for child care and those having part-time responsibility. The study revealed that full-time mothers have significantly higher levels of maternal adaptation than part-time mothers. For part-time mothers, the level of maternal adaptation or self-esteem did not fluctuate, regardless of whether she saw the child 4 days a week or once a month. The article identifies variables that may facilitate better maternal behaviors among drug-dependent mothers.

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