Emotion regulation behavior during a separation procedure in 18-month-old children of mothers using cocaine and other drugs.
This study examined the association between maternal cocaine use and children's emotional regulation. Using a brief separation procedure, we observed 78 18-month-old at-risk children and their mothers from three defined maternal groups: no drug use; no cocaine use but a positive history for alcohol, tobacco, and/or marijuana; and cocaine use with or without alcohol, tobacco, and/or marijuana. Coded videotaped behavior identified three maternal constructs (separation style, physical engagement, and emotional engagement) and three child constructs (negative reactivity to separation, initial regulatory activity, and follow-up positive emotional engagement). Cocaine-using mothers displayed less emotional engagement than other mothers. Children with cocaine-using mothers displayed less negative reactivity and follow-up positive emotional engagement than their counterparts. Child reactivity was connected to maternal drug use, whereas emotional engagement during reunion was linked to birthweight and maternal behavior. Results suggest a possible impairment or restriction of emotional expression and regulation in the face of stress and/or maternal disengagement that is more common among cocaine-exposed children with their mothers.
Molitor
Adriana
A
Department of Psychology, University of San Diego, CA 92110-2492, USA. amolitor@sandiego.edu
Mayes
Linda C
LC
Ward
Anna
A
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001010:Anxiety, Separation / Q000523:psychology*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014743:Videotape Recording