DIFFERENTIAL-EFFECTS OF PARENT AND GRANDPARENT DRUG-USE ON BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS OF MALE AND FEMALE-CHILDREN

This study examines relations among grandparent and maternal drug use, mate's drug use, mother's dyadic adjustment, and behavioral/developmental problems in children (64 boys and 75 girls, ages 2-8). Six factors emerged from a 24-item checklist for mothers: Developmental Problems, Fearfulness, Hyperactivity, Acting-Out Behaviors, Psychosomatic Complaints, and Social Problems. Results indicated that (a) boys were more likely than girls to have developmental and social problems, and (b) grandparent and maternal drug use significantly predicted more problems for boys than for girls. Grandparent use predicted more Hyperactivity, Acting Out, Psychosomatic Complaints, and Social Problems for boys, and more Acting Out by girls. Maternal drug use predicted more Fearfulness, Hyperactivity, and Social Problems for boys, and no problems for girls. Maternal drug use predicted developmental problems for boys and girls.