Emotion-Focused Coping as a Mediator of Maternal Cocaine Abuse and Antisocial Behavior*1
Denise A. Hien, , a, b and Gloria M. Mielec a School of Social Work, Columbia University, USAb Women's Health Project, St. Luke's–Roosevelt Hospital Center, USAc College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, USA Received 22 October 2001; revised 20 May 2002; accepted 21 May 2002. ; Available online 28 March 2003.
Abstract
A great deal of data implicate parental drug use as a potential risk factor for child abuse; however, theories for understanding the links between maternal drug use and antisocial behavior have yet to be examined empirically. This case-control study investigated correlates of adult antisocial behavior among 279 inner-city mothers in 3 comparison groups: drug abusers (n = 112), depressed mothers (n = 73), and nonsubstance abusing controls (n = 94). Using hierarchical regression techniques and mediational analyses controlling for ethnicity, current depression, and family history of substance abuse, support was provided for an emotion-focused coping style as a link between addictive and antisocial behavior. These results highlight the importance of focusing on emotion regulation models in the prevention and treatment of violence in drug-abusing women.