Risk for Childhood Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems in the Context of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Meta-Analysis and Comprehensive Examination of Moderators

Abstract

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is associated with a constellation of physical, neurocognitive, and behavioral abnormalities in offspring. The presence of internalizing (e.g., anxiety, mood disorders) and externalizing (e.g., oppositional defiant and conduct disorders) behavior problems has devastating and often long-lasting impacts on children, adolescents, and their families. The present meta-analysis explored the strength of the association between PAE and behavior problems, as well as factors that increase or mitigate risk. The current meta-analysis included 65 studies comparing children and adolescents with PAE to non- or light-exposed controls and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) samples, on a variety of internalizing and externalizing behavior outcomes. Results indicated that individuals with PAE are at increased risk for internalizing (d = 0.71, medium effect) and externalizing (d = 0.90, large effect) problems compared to control samples. The occurrence of total behavior problems was similar to that seen in ADHD samples. The strength of the association between internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and PAE was significantly moderated by several distinct sample characteristics, such as sample age, socioeconomic status, severity of exposure, and type of behavior problem. These findings further our understanding of the behavior problems experienced by children and adolescents with PAE.

Keywords: Externalizing; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders; Internalizing; Prenatal Alcohol Exposure; Psychopathology.