Childhood adversity and poor mothering: consequences of polydrug abuse use as a moderator.
Drug abuse consequences have been typically examined as a direct or main effect on various later outcomes. Drug abuse may also serve as a consequence that alters (moderates) critical developmental trajectories. This study examined the relationship between childhood adversity factors (parent alcohol and drug-related problems, childhood maltreatment) and future parenting practices through an analysis of the moderating effects of polydrug problems. Data from a community sample of mothers was divided into two groups based on the median split level of polydrug problems (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine) that they reported (low, N=123; high, N=114). Confirmatory factor models (CFAs) were developed for the two groups and compared with multiple group analyses (MGAs). Results revealed that mothers who had parents with alcohol or drug-related problems were more likely to become poor parents, if they themselves used drugs and had problems related to drug use.
Newcomb
Michael D
MD
Division of Counseling Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0031, USA. newcomb@usc.edu
Locke
Thomas F
TF
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*