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Polydrug-using adolescent mothers and their infants receiving early intervention
T M Field1, F Scafidi, J Pickens
1Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33101, USA.
Insights
A high school-based intervention significantly improved outcomes for adolescent mothers using polydrugs and their infants. The program enhanced infant development, mother-infant interactions, and maternal lifestyle factors, including reduced drug use and repeat pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Health
- Substance Abuse Treatment
Background:
- Polydrug use among adolescent mothers poses risks to both maternal well-being and infant development.
- Infants exposed to drugs in utero often exhibit developmental delays and behavioral issues.
- Adolescent mothers face unique challenges in parenting, education, and economic stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive, school-based intervention for polydrug-using adolescent mothers and their infants.
- To assess the impact of the intervention on infant neurobehavioral development and mother-infant interactions.
- To examine the intervention's effects on maternal lifestyle variables, including continued substance use and educational/vocational attainment.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of polydrug-using adolescent mothers and their infants participated in a multifaceted intervention program.
- Intervention components included educational, vocational, parenting classes, social support, drug rehabilitation, and on-site infant daycare.
- Infant development was assessed using the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (BNBAS) and the Early Social Communication Scale (ESCS). Mother-infant interactions and maternal lifestyle variables were also monitored.
Main Results:
- Drug-exposed infants initially showed inferior Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale scores and behavioral regulation compared to nonexposed infants.
- Following the intervention, significant improvements in mother-infant interactions were observed by 3-6 months.
- At 12 months, infants in the intervention group demonstrated superior cognitive (Bayley Mental Scale) and communication (ESCS) scores, with better physical growth (head circumference) and fewer health issues.
- Mothers in the intervention group showed reduced rates of continued drug use and repeat pregnancy, alongside increased school completion and employment.
Conclusions:
- A cost-effective, school-based intervention program can positively impact polydrug-using adolescent mothers and their infants.
- The intervention effectively mitigated negative developmental trajectories for drug-exposed infants.
- Comprehensive support addressing educational, vocational, parenting, and substance abuse needs is crucial for improving outcomes in this population.
Abstract:
This study investigated the effects of an intervention for polydrug-using adolescent mothers. The program included educational, vocational, and parenting classes; social and drug rehab; and day care for their infants while they attended school half-day. The drug-exposed infants were similar to the nonexposed infants on traditional birth measures, although they had inferior Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale scores, including habituation, orientation, abnormal reflexes, general irritability, and regulatory capacity. The drug-exposed infants also spent less time in quiet sleep and more time crying and showing stress behaviors. Both the mothers and the infants in the drug groups demonstrated inferior interactions, and their dopamine and serotonin levels were significantly higher. As early as 3 months (following 3 months of intervention), the drug rehab mothers and their infants looked more like the nondrug group in their interactions; by 6 months, they looked similar on virtually every measure. At 12 months, the infants of drug rehab mothers (versus the drug control group) had superior Early Social Communication Scale scores and Bayley Mental scale scores, as well as significantly greater head circumference and fewer pediatric complications. The drug rehab mothers also improved on several lifestyle variables. They demonstrated a lower incidence of continued drug use and repeat pregnancy, and a greater number continued school, received a high school or general equivalency diploma, or were placed in a job. Thus, a relatively cost-effective high school based intervention had positive effects on both adolescent mothers who had used drugs and their infants.