TY - JOUR
T1 - Emotion regulation behavior during a separation procedure in 18-month-old children of mothers using cocaine and other drugs
AU - Molitor, Adriana
AU - Mayes, Linda C.
AU - Ward, Anna
PY - 2003/12
Y1 - 2003/12
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
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U2 - 10.1017/S0954579403000038
DO - 10.1017/S0954579403000038
M3 - Article
C2 - 12848434
AN - SCOPUS:0142228267
SN - 0954-5794
VL - 15
SP - 39
EP - 54
JO - Development and Psychopathology
JF - Development and Psychopathology
IS - 1
ER -