Transition to Parenthood Among Drug Abusing Mothers: Stressors, Supports, Coping and Mental Health

We examined the impact of drug abuse on prenatal resources (social support
and coping strategies) and mental health problems (depressiveness, pregnancy distress
and hostility), and analyzed whether they would differently predict postpartum mental
health between drug abusing and non-abusing women. Drug abusing (n=44) and
comparison (n=50) women participated in the second or third trimester (T1), and
reported depressive and anxiety symptoms at four (T2) and 12 (T3) months
postpartum. Results showed that drug abusing women had higher levels of prenatal
depression, distress and hostility, and lower levels of social support, and coped more by
using denial and avoidance and less with cognitive reconstruction than the comparison
group. Prediction of prenatal resources and problems was somewhat group-specific: the
prenatal depression predicted depressive symptoms, and cognitive constructive coping
predicted low anxiety, especially in the drug abusing group. The findings emphasize the
need for effective support for adequate coping strategies and early treatment of
depression in drug abusing mothers in their transition to motherhood.
Key Words: Drug abuse, transition to parenthood, coping strategies, social support,
depression, anxiety, hostility