THE IMPACT OF BEHAVIOR AND ADDICTION ON PSYCHOLOGICAL MODELS OF CIGARETTE AND ALCOHOL-USE DURING PREGNANCY

This prospective study of 241 women investigated the impact of past be havior and psychological factors on cigarette and alcohol use during p regnancy. Smokers' cigarette use was compared with their alcohol consu mption during pregnancy, and drinking among smokers was compared with that of nonsmokers. Only prior smoking directly predicted smokers' cig arette use later in pregnancy, whereas smokers' alcohol use was relate d to both their previous drinking and their drinking self-efficacy. Am ong nonsmokers, neither drinking before nor early in pregnancy was rel ated to alcohol use later in pregnancy; only subjects' self-efficacy a nd their beliefs about the consequences of drinking during pregnancy p redicted their subsequent alcohol use. These results are consistent wi th the notion that greater addictive potential lessens the direct impa ct of psychological factors on substance use during pregnancy. Further implications of these findings for interventions and other health-rel ated behaviors are also discussed.