Examining the relationships between prenatal methamphetamine exposure, early adversity, and child neurobehavioral disinhibition

Abstract

Methamphetamine use is a growing problem among pregnant women in the United States. Many negative consequences of methamphetamine use have been documented for the users, but little research has examined the long-term association between prenatal methamphetamine exposure (PME) and childhood outcomes. The current study examined the extent to which PME was predictive of childhood neurobehavioral disinhibition (ND), as well as the extent to which early adversity mediated this relationship. A sample of 320 mother-infant dyads (162 PME) was followed from birth through 6.5 years of age. ND was conceptualized as a two factor model consisting of deficits in (a) behavioral and emotional control, and (b) executive function. PME was associated with behavioral and emotional control at 5 years, which was associated with executive function deficits at 6.5 years. Early adversity (birth through year 3) significantly mediated the relationship between PME and ND. Associations with previous research and implications for prevention are discussed.

Figure 1

Relations between behavioral and emotional control and executive function deficits with the inclusion of covariates. Beta coefficients reported while controlling for the following retained covariates: prenatal exposure to alcohol, data collection site, and maternal age. All covariate paths were modeled, but paths are only included in the figure if significant at the p < 0.05 level. The substantive paths of interest were unaffected by the elimination of noncontributing covariates. Neurobehavioral disinhibition is represented by both the Behavioral and Emotional Control and Executive Function Deficits latent factors. * p < 0.05. ** p < 0.01. *** p < 0.001.

Figure 2

Relations between PME, early adversity, behavioral and emotional control, and executive function deficits with the inclusion of covariates. Values presented represent standardized coefficients. Beta coefficients reported while controlling for the following retained covariates: prenatal exposure to alcohol and marijuana, data collection site, and maternal age. All covariate paths were modeled, but paths are only included in the figure if significant at the p < 0.05 level. The substantive paths of interest were unaffected by the elimination of noncontributing covariates. Indirect effects of PME on the two latent factors representing ND remained significant with the inclusion of covariates (IND_{Behavioral and Emotional} = 0.05, p < 0.05; IND_{Executive Function} = 0.07, p < 0.01). * p < 0.05. ** p < 0.01. *** p < 0.001.