SOCIAL SUPPORT AND ANXIETY IN PREGNANT DRUG-ABUSERS AND NONUSERS - UNEXPECTED FINDINGS OF FEW DIFFERENCES

Drug-abusing (n = 25) and nonusing (n = 55) pregnant women from a publ icly supported prenatal clinic were tested for level of social support and of pregnancy anxiety during the last half of pregnancy. Differenc es found between the groups were fewer than expected. Drug abusers did not differ from nonusers in overall level of social support or in App raisal, Belonging, or Tangible subscales. Abusers were found to report lower levels of self esteem; lower self esteem was predicted by drug abuse, having more children and lower socioeconomic status. Drug abuse rs did not differ from nonusers in their overall feelings of pregnancy anxiety, but they did indicate higher fears for themselves and for th e baby, and there was a tendency for higher depression and withdrawal.