The role of psychopathology in the parenting of drug-dependent women

Abstract

This paper explores the parenting of drug-dependent women and the contributions of comorbid psychopathology to their parenting. A sample of 32 children whose mothers were dependent on opioid drugs during pregnancy and 37 children whose mothers were not drug users were followed from birth to middle childhood. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted contrasting whether maternal substance abuse or psychopathology was more closely linked to parenting behaviors and continuity in parenting over time. Maternal drug dependence was related to whether mothers were able to remain primary caregivers for their children over time, even after controlling for psychopathology. Maternal drug use was related to unresponsive and negative parenting behavior during mother–infant interaction, but this relation was largely accounted for by the effects of comorbid maternal psychopathology on parenting, particularly symptoms of antisocial and related personality disorders. For those children whose mothers continued to care for them into middle childhood, perceptions of their mothers as rejecting were related to maternal antisocial personality and maternal depression. Substance-abuse treatment for women should be integrated with interventions addressing their mental health and parenting needs.

Maternal drug abuse versus maternal depression: Vulnerability and resilience among school-age and adolescent offspring

“…In a 10-year study of low-income children first assessed at birth, concurrent maternal opioid abuse had nonsignificant links to child psychopathology at age 10, whereas maternal psychological symptoms other than substance abuse were linked to various child outcomes (Wakschlag & Hans, 1999). Several other studies have shown that among children of heroin or cocaine abusers, psychopathology tends to be particularly high among those whose parents have coexisting depressive problems (Hans, Bernstein, & Henson, 1999;Weissman et al, 1999).…”

“…Hans, Bernstein, & Henson, 1999). Estimates of the prevalence of affective or anxiety disorders among individuals with histories of substance abuse range from 32% (Regier et al, 1990;Regier, Rae, Narrow, Kaelber, & Schatzeberg, 1998) to as high as 90% (Luthar, Cushing, Merikangas, & Rounsaville, 1998;Weissman et al, 1999).…”

Treatment Issues for Aboriginal Mothers with Substance Use Problems and Their Children

“…For example, maternal-infant interaction and attachment are areas of concern. Observational studies have shown that, in interaction with their infants, women with substance abuse issues show a lack of sensitivity and responsiveness to emotional cues and heightened physical activity, provocation, and intrusiveness (Hans, Bernstein, & Henson, 1999;Rodning, Beckwith, & Howard, 1991). Research on infants of methodone-using mothers has shown that they demonstrate higher levels of disorganized attachment than infants of nondrug-using mothers (Goodman, Hans, & Cox, 1999;Rodning et al, 1991).…”

Risk factors for the development of emotional and behavioural problems in children born to drug-dependent mothers

“…These risks include low socio-economic status and limited social support [14,16], comorbid mental disorder and functioning of the mother [1,13,16,20], physical abuse [1,13,16,20], and residential placement or foster care [10].…”