Social support and anxiety in pregnant drug abusers and nonusers: unexpected findings of few differences.
Drug-abusing (n = 25) and nonusing (n = 55) pregnant women from a publicly supported prenatal clinic were tested for level of social support and of pregnancy anxiety during the last half of pregnancy. Differences found between the groups were fewer than expected. Drug abusers did not differ from nonusers in overall level of social support or in Appraisal, Belonging, or Tangible subscales. Abusers were found to report lower levels of self esteem; lower self esteem was predicted by drug abuse, having more children and lower socioeconomic status. Drug abusers did not differ from nonusers in their overall feelings of pregnancy anxiety, but they did indicate higher fears for themselves and for the baby, and there was a tendency for higher depression and withdrawal.
Degen
H M
HM
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23284-2018.
Myers
B J
BJ
Williams-Petersen
M G
MG
Knisely
J S
JS
Schnoll
S S
SS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009357:Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs