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Using
the CBCL to Identify Problems Among Childrenof Cocaine and
Opiate Dependent Parents
To
test associations between parental drug abuse and childrens
problems, Catherine Stanger of the University of Vermont and
colleagues from other universities compared children of drug
abusers (CDA) with children who were referred for mental health
services (RC) and nonreferred children (NRC). Cocaine and
opiate dependent parents in treatment completed the Child
Behavior Checklist for 410 children from ages 2 through 18
years. CDA were demographically matched to RC and NRC. RC
scored lower than CDA and NRC on most competence scales, and
higher than CDA and NRC on all problem scales. CDA scored
lower than NRC on most competence scales, and higher than
NRC on Withdrawn, Thought Problems, Delinquent Behavior, Aggressive
Behavior, Internalizing, Externalizing, and total problems.
Results showed that about one-third of the CDAs had problem
scores in the clinical range, especially delinquent or rule-breaking
behaviors such as lying, running away, stealing, swearing,
and, for older children, drug or alcohol use. CDA also had
elevated rates of internalizing problems (withdrawal, anxiety,
depression, somatic complaints), attention problems, and aggressive
behavior. Although some children of drug abusers manifested
problems as severe as those reported for children referred
for mental health services, most did not. These findings indicate
that CDA are at risk for developing behavioral and emotional
problems that may, in turn, place them at risk for alcohol
and drug abuse. Clinicians treating adults for drug abuse
could help to identify children at risk by asking parents
to complete standardized questionnaires such as the CBCL about
their children. Families with children found to have problems
could then receive interventions to reduce these problems.
Reference: Stanger, C., Higgins,
S., Bickel, W., Elk, R., Grabowski, J., Schmitz, J., Amass,
L., Kirby, K., & Seracini, A. (1999). Behavioral and emotional
problems among children of cocaine and opiate dependent parents.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
38, 421-428.
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