DEVELOPMENT OF INFANTS BORN TO COCAINE-ABUSING WOMEN - BIOLOGIC MATERNAL INFLUENCES/

This study investigated the influence of gestational age, birthweight, caregiving, and maternal personality characteristics on the developme nt of 51 six-month-old infants born to and being reared by cocaine-abu sing mothers. Two self-report measures were administered to the pregna nt women at intake: the ASI (quantifying drug use) and the MCMI (descr ibing DSM-III Axis II personality characteristics and Axis I clinical syndromes). Infants' biologic vulnerability was assessed by gestationa l age and birthweight. Caregiving was assessed 6 months later in the h ome, using the HOME Inventory and maternal caregiving behavior rating scales. Infant development was assessed in the laboratory at 6 months using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Higher Bayley scores we re associated with heavier birthweight and increased maternal sensitiv ity. Furthermore, mothers of infants with shorter gestations were foun d to be more sensitive caregivers, whereas mothers who reported more h istrionic-gregarious, narcissistic, borderline-cycloid, and/or paranoi d personality characteristics during pregnancy were less sensitive car egivers. Surprisingly, mothers who reported more depressive symptoms d uring pregnancy provided more sensitive care.