Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Brennan, P. A. Articles by Mednick, S. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Brennan, P. A. Articles by Mednick, S. A. Alcohol Amphetamines Cannabis Caffeine Cocaine Hallucinogens Nicotine Opioids Other Addictive Disorders Biostatistics

Relationship of Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy With Criminal Arrest and Hospitalization for Substance Abuse in Male and Female Adult Offspring

OBJECTIVE: Maternal prenatal smoking has been found to be related to externalizing behavior problems in male offspring, but this relationship has rarely been examined in female offspring. Preliminary evidence suggests that maternal prenatal smoking may be particularly related to antisocial behavior outcomes in male offspring and substance abuse problems in female offspring. This study attempted to replicate these findings in a large-scale, longitudinal community cohort study. METHOD: Subjects were a birth cohort of 4,169 male and 3,943 female offspring born between 1959 and 1961 in Copenhagen, Denmark. During the third trimester of pregnancy, the subjects’ mothers self-reported the number of cigarettes smoked on a daily basis. When the offspring were adults, their criminal arrest histories and psychiatric hospitalizations for substance abuse were checked in national registers. Additional data were collected concerning maternal rejection of the infant, socioeconomic status, maternal age, pregnancy and delivery complications, use of drugs in pregnancy, paternal criminal history, and parental psychiatric hospitalization. RESULTS: Results indicate a dose-response relationship between the amount of maternal prenatal smoking and both criminal arrest and psychiatric hospitalization for substance abuse in male and female offspring. These relationships remained significant after potential demographic, parental, and perinatal risk confounds were controlled. Hospitalization of offspring for substance abuse mediated the relationship between maternal prenatal smoking and criminal arrest for female but not for male offspring. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal prenatal smoking is related to criminal and substance abuse outcomes in male and female offspring. Higher rates of index arrests for female offspring may be related to their substance abuse problems.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K E Pickett, C Wood, J Adamson, L DeSouza, and L S Wakschlag Meaningful differences in maternal smoking behaviour during pregnancy: implications for infant behavioural vulnerability J. Epidemiol. Community Health, April 1, 2008; 62(4): 318 - 324. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. G. Turner, J. L. Hartman, and D. M. Bishop The Effects of Prenatal Problems, Family Functioning, and Neighborhood Disadvantage in Predicting Life-Course-Persistent Offending Criminal Justice and Behavior, October 1, 2007; 34(10): 1241 - 1261. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. C. Pratt, J. M. McGloin, and N. E. Fearn Maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy and criminal/deviant behavior: a meta-analysis. Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol, December 1, 2006; 50(6): 672 - 690. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. J. Sorensen, E. L. Mortensen, J. M. Reinisch, and S. A. Mednick Early Weaning and Hospitalization With Alcohol-Related Diagnoses in Adult Life Am J Psychiatry, April 1, 2006; 163(4): 704 - 709. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Leistikow Commentary: Questionable premises, overadjustment, and a smoking/suicide association in younger adult men Int. J. Epidemiol., December 1, 2003; 32(6): 1005 - 1006. [Full Text] [PDF]

				W Hofhuis, J C de Jongste, and P J F M Merkus Adverse health effects of prenatal and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure on children Arch. Dis. Child., December 1, 2003; 88(12): 1086 - 1090. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Arehart-Treichel Smoking When Pregnant Tied to Risk That Offspring Will Be Criminals Psychiatr News, January 18, 2002; 37(2): 17 - 33. [Full Text]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2002 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us