Risk-Taking Behaviors and Related Constructs in 12-year-old Adolescents who were Prenatally Exposed to Cocaine
Year: 2010
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The current study investigated risk taking and related constructs (i.e., self-regulation, developmental assets) in a cohort of youth who were prenatally exposed to cocaine (CE).Participants were 283 12-year-olds (CE=138; NCE=145) enrolled in a longitudinal study investigating the developmental outcomes of prenatal cocaine/poly drug exposure.At 12 years old, data pertaining to risk taking and related constructs was gathered.Regression models were carried out statistically controlling for potential confounding variables (e.g., other prenatal and postnatal drug exposure, home environment) to ensure isolated effects could be attributed to CE.The primary outcomes included: 1) self-reported risk behavior; 2) risk-taking propensity on a behavioral task; 3) self-regulation; and 4) behavioral assets.Controlling for potential confounders, a significant effect of CE was found for self-regulation (β= .210;p= .030),which upon further examination revealed a CE x gender interaction effect (β= -.216; p= .036).That is, being CE and female significantly predicted worse self-regulation.The findings replicate and extend previous findings with this cohort further demonstrating heightened vulnerability for females who were CE.Continued study of risk taking, self-regulation, and developmental assets in youth who were CE is needed to elucidate the developmental trajectories of risk and resilience.
Author: AnnaMaria Aguirre McLaughlin
Institution: Case Western Reserve University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2600501759