Poster was presented at the 2009 EMU Graduate Research Fair

1. The Relationship between Education Levels, Nicotine and Alcohol Use, Mental Health Issues and
Child Abuse Potential during Pregnancy
Ana Tindall B.S., and Alissa C. Huth-Bocks Ph.D.
Eastern Michigan University
INTRODUCTION METHOD’SCont.’
Method’s CONT.’ RESULTS
Current research suggests that depressed Procedures
mothers have relatively fewer postive interaction Women were recruited through community
with their infants than non-depressed mothers Table 1. Descriptive Data for Study Variables
service agencies and by posting flyers in public
(Brennan, Hammen, Andersen, Bor, Najman & places. The interview took place during the third
Williams, 2001). trimester of pregnancy and was about 2.5 hours; Measure Mean Standard Minimum Maximum Possible Alpha
women received $25.00 compensation. During Deviation Range
Heightened maternal anxiety levels puts the this interview, which often took place in the BCAP 6.5 5.1 0 21 0 – 24 0.82
fetus at risk of being delivered prematurely women’s homes, participants completed a semi-
(Glynn, Schetter, Hobel, & Sandman, 2008). structured interview about their feelings about AOD 0.92 1.8 0 2 0-2 0.74
Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder pregnancy and motherhood and numerous
(PTSD), have been found to be predictive of questionnaires about their history, current and EPDS 7.5 4.7 0 22 0-30 0.83
perpetrating child abuse (Pears & Capaldi, past relationships, psychosocial experiences,
2001). and general health. BSI-A 4.1 4.1 0 22 0-24 0.75
Also, other research studies have found that Measures
parents who were abusing alcohol or drugs were Demographics Questionnaire. A brief
more likely to be neglectful than parents who did demographic questionnaire for background
not (Cash & Wilke, 2003; Hien & Miele, 2003). characteristics such as age, ethnicity, education Table 2. Correlation Matrix for all Study Variables
& income, marital status, and use of child care.
Education BCAP EPDS AOD BSI-A
This current study is going to examine how The Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory (B-
these different experiences along with maternal CAP; Ondersma, Chaffin, Mullins, & Lebreton, Education 1.0
education levels, as they relate to child abuse 2005) is a 34-item questionnaire that was
potential. assesses dimensions believed to be related to BCAP -.288* 1.0
Research Aims: risk for child abuse such as parental rigidity,
 To identify prenatal maternal factors associated loneliness, and general distress; the 24-item EPDS -0.177 .667** 1.0
with childhood abuse potential. abuse total score was used in this study.
 To examine whether alcohol and nicotine are AOD -.210* .221* .216* 1.0
associated with depression and anxiety during The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale
pregnancy. (EPDS; Cox, Holden & Sagovsky, 1987; Wisner,
BSI-A -0.168 .554** .616** .222* 1.0
Perry & Piontek, 2002) is a widely-used, 10-item
METHOD questionnaire used for assessing prenatal and
post-partum depressive symptoms. *p<.05. ** p<.01.
Participants
• 100 women were recruited from the The Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
community. questionnaire (AOD; Winters & Zenilman, 1994) Correlations revealed significant associations between mothers’ child abuse potential and education
• Mothers’ age range: 18-40, M = 26 (SD = 5.8). is a 16-item screening instrument used to level, depression and anxiety, and drug use. There were also significant correlations between drug use,
• 50% African–American, 35% Caucasian, 15% determine problems with alcohol and drug anxiety, and depression.
belonging to other ethnic groups. abuse.
• 62% single/never married, 30% first time
mothers Maternal Anxiety. The Brief Symptom Inventory
• 23% with high school diploma, GED or less (BSI: Derogatis & Malisaratos, 1983) is a self- DISCUSSION
education, 41% some college or trade school, report; 6 items from the anxiety subscale were
and 35% college degree or graduate school. used. Mental health of the mother (i.e., depression and anxiety) is related to use of alcohol and/or nicotine. In our
• Median monthly household income = $1650 sample, 23% of the women drank alcohol and 34% smoked during their pregnancy.
• single parent households
• 72% on public assistance Results indicated that the mothers’ education, mental health and drug use have important relations with for
child abuse potential during pregnancy.
Such experiences during pregnancy likely impact the developing fetus, as well as maternal and infant well-
being after birth. Early intervention efforts should target at-risk mothers and babies.