Caregiver interaction behavior with prenatally cocaine-exposed and nonexposed preschoolers

This study examined the quality of caregiver-child interaction as measured by the Parent/Caregiver Involvement Scale (PCIS) with a sample of 41 presch oolers who were prenatally exposed to cocaine and 39 nonexposed preschooler s. Within the cocaine group, 19 children were in the care of relatives or f oster caregivers and 22 were in the care of their biological mothers. Resul ts suggest that mothers of nonexposed children were significantly more emot ionally and developmentally appropriate than caregivers of prenatally cocai ne-exposed children, and no significant differences in interaction behavior M,ere found between biological mothers and foster caregivers of prenatally cocaine-exposed children. The importance of conceptualizing this populatio n of children within the context of their environment is stressed.