The influence of maternal smoking during pregnancy on the toddler's negativity

Citation
Js. Brook et al., The influence of maternal smoking during pregnancy on the toddler's negativity, ARCH PED AD, 154(4), 2000, pp. 381-385
Citations number
35
Categorie Soggetti
Pediatrics,"Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS & ADOLESCENT MEDICINE
ISSN journal
10724710 → ACNP
Volume
154
Issue
4
Year of publication
2000
Pages
381 - 385
Database
ISI
SICI code
1072-4710(200004)154:4<381:TIOMSD>2.0.ZU;2-9
Abstract
Objective: To extend previous studies by looking at the effect of the mothe r's smoking during pregnancy on her toddler's negative behavior. Design: A survey consisting of a structured questionnaire was administered to the mothers of 2-year-old toddlers. Setting: The subjects were drawn from a community sample, as part of a larg er study of mothers and their children. Subjects: The subjects were 99 toddlers and their mothers taken from a comm unity sample. Fifty-two of the mothers smoked throughout pregnancy, while 4 7 either stopped smoking during pregnancy or started smoking after childbir th. Measures: The measures consisted of scales with adequate psychometric prope rties, which, for the most part, were adapted from the literature. Measures included assessment of smoking behavior, the mother's personality/behavior , perinatal variables, demographic variables, and aspects of the mother-chi ld relationship. Results: Using logistic regression analyses, maternal smoking during pregna ncy was found to be related to negativity in the child, controlling for dem ographic factors, perinatal factors, maternal personality attributes, and t he mother-child relationship. Conclusions: The findings suggest that maternal smoking during pregnancy ha s an adverse effect on the child's negativity, and that a decrease in mater nal smoking during pregnancy might be expected to lead to a decrease in the child's negativity. The relationship of maternal smoking during pregnancy and early childhood negativity to other problem behaviors remains to be exp lored.