title: Prenatal alcohol exposure, adaptive function, and entry into adult roles in a prospective study of young adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although many studies have demonstrated effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on physical, cognitive, and behavioral development in children, few have focused on the long term effects on adults. In this study, data are presented on adaptive function and entry into adult roles in a community sample of young adults with PAE. The expectation was that prenatally exposed adults would show lower adaptive functioning and more difficulty with entry into adult roles than the non-exposed control group and that these effects would be related to the severity of PAE effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The predominantly African-American, low income sample included adults with a wide range of prenatal exposure (n = 123) as well as control groups for socioeconomic (SES) (n =5 9) and disability (n = 54) status. The mothers of the alcohol-exposed and SES-control group participants were recruited before birth and offspring have been followed up periodically. The disability control group was recruited in adolescence. The adults were interviewed about adaptive function in day-to-day life and adult role entry. Collateral adults who were well-acquainted with each participant were interviewed concerning adaptive function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that adults who were dysmorphic and/or cognitively affected by PAE had difficulty with adaptive function and entry into adult roles. Males showing cognitive effects with no physical effects were the most severely affected. Results for exposed adults not showing physical or cognitive effects were similar to or more positive than those of the control group for most outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PAE has long-term effects on adaptive outcomes in early adulthood. Additional research should focus on possible interventions at this transition and on factors contributing to the adjustment of the exposed, but unaffected participants.
authors.affiliation: Center for Maternal Substance Abuse and Child Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park Drive NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States. Electronic address: mlynch@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.affiliation: Center for Maternal Substance Abuse and Child Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park Drive NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kable
authors.affiliation: Center for Maternal Substance Abuse and Child Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park Drive NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States.
authors.forename: Claire D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Coles
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol
keywords: Adaptive function; Prenatal alcohol exposure; Role entry; Transition to adulthood