PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESSORS OF DRUG-ABUSING DISADVANTAGED ADOLESCENT MOTHERS

The Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT) and th e Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to 55 disadvantage d adolescent mothers who abused drugs during pregnancy and 49 nondrug- abusing disadvantaged adolescent mothers. Results suggested that the d rug-abusing mothers were depressed (BDI = 14) while the nondrug-abusin g mothers were nondepressed (BDI = 6). In addition, the drug-abusing m others reported more mental and physical health problems, more problem atic family and peer relationships, poorer social skills, more aggress ive behavior, less constructive use of leisure time, and a lower educa tional and vocational status than did nondrug-abusing adolescent mothe rs. A multiple regression analysis of POSIT scales indicated that the best predictors of drug abuse during pregnancy were mental health stat us, leisure and recreational activities, and peer relationships. These results highlight the utility of administering the POSIT to identify stressors that place pregnant adolescents at risk for drug abuse.