CHILDREN OF ADDICTED MOTHERS - EFFECTS OF THE CRACK EPIDEMIC ON THE CAREGIVING ENVIRONMENT AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRESCHOOLERS

Comparison of 25 addicted mothers and 25 nonaddicted controls revealed a high incidence of emotional and physical neglect among the addict g roup, as well as greater tendency toward depression and more chaotic c hild-rearing environments. A separate study compared the cognitive, la nguage, and emotional development of 20 cocaine-exposed preschool chil dren and 24 nonexposed children. Although few differences in cognitive and language development were found group differences in emotional an d behavioral status, assessed through maternal report, were significan t. Directions for future research are suggested.