Children of mothers with serious substance abuse problems: an accumulation of risks.
This study examines the life circumstances and experiences of 4084 children affected by maternal addiction to alcohol or other drugs. The paper will address the characteristics of their caregivers, the multiple risk factors faced by these children, their health and development, and their school performance. Data were collected from mothers at intake into 50 publicly funded residential substance abuse treatment programs for pregnant and parenting women. Findings from this study suggest that children whose mothers abuse alcohol or other drugs confront a high level of risk and are at increased vulnerability for physical, academic, and socioemotional problems. Children affected by maternal addiction are in need of long-term supportive services.
Conners
Nicola A
NA
Pediatrics/Partners for Inclusive Communities, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114, USA. connersnicolaa@uams.edu
Bradley
Robert H
RH
Mansell
Leanne Whiteside
LW
Liu
Jeffrey Y
JY
Roberts
Tracy J
TJ
Burgdorf
Ken
K
Herrell
James M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014481:United States