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- Title
Risk factors for the development of emotional and behavioural problems in children born to drug-dependent mothers.
- Authors
Steinhausen, Hans-Christoph; Mas, Serena; Ledermann, Christoph; Metzke, Christa
- Abstract
The study of biological and psychosocial risk factors for the development of emotional and behavioural problems in children of drug-dependent mothers. In a sample of 52 children and drug-dependent mothers participating in a residential intervention programme emotional and behavioural problems were studied in the children by use of the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). The Symptom-Checklist Revised (SCL-90-R) served to assess mental problems in the mother. Drug exposure during pregnancy, various psychosocial risk factors due to the drug-career, and educational status of the mother were assessed by maternal interview. A brief assessment of intelligence of the mother was included. Among the various biological and psychosocial risk factors, maternal mental health problems, maternal educational status, and a small number of close social relationships correlated significantly with child outcome variables. Multiple regression analyses identified maternal mental health factors as the main predictors of child behaviour. Assisting drug-dependent mothers in overcoming the psychosocial sequelae of drug abuse implies also assistance to the children in terms of prevention of emotional and behavioural problems.
- Subjects
CHILDREN of people with drug addiction; MOTHERS; BEHAVIOR disorders in children; EMOTIONAL problems of children; CRISIS intervention (Mental health services); DRUG use in pregnancy; PSYCHOSOCIAL factors; SUBSTANCE abuse; DISEASE risk factors
- Publication
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2006, Vol 15, Issue 8, p460
- ISSN
1018-8827
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00787-006-0568-x