Self-reported adolescent behavioral adjustment: Effects of prenatal cocaine exposure

Meeyoung O. Min, Sonia Minnes, Susan Yoon, Elizabeth J. Short, Lynn T. Singer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose To assess the direct effects of prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) on adolescent internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems, controlling for confounding drug and environmental factors. Method At 12 and 15 years of age, 371 adolescents (189 PCE and 182 noncocaine exposed), primarily African-American and of low socioeconomic status, participating in a longitudinal, prospective study from birth were assessed for behavioral adjustment using the Youth Self-Report. Results Longitudinal mixed model analyses indicated that PCE was associated with greater externalizing behavioral problems at ages 12 and 15 years and more attention problems at age 15, after controlling for confounders. PCE effects were not found for internalizing behaviors. PCE adolescents in adoptive/foster care reported more externalizing and attention problems than PCE adolescents in biological mother/relative care at age 12 or noncocaine-exposed adolescents at both ages. No PCE by gender interaction was found. Prenatal marijuana exposure, home environment, parental attachment and monitoring, family conflict, and violence exposure were also significant predictors of adolescent behavioral adjustment. Conclusions PCE is a risk factor for poor behavioral adjustment in adolescence.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)167-174
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Adolescent Health
Volume55
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2014

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by a National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant R01-07957 .

Keywords

  • Adolescents
  • Attention
  • Behavior
  • Prenatal cocaine

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