C-62A Comparison of Externalizing Behaviors Between Children Prenatally Exposed to Methamphetamine and Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Objective: The study goal was to assess whether children prenatally exposed to methamphetamine (PME) exhibited elevated levels of externalizing behaviors when compared to an ADHD comparison group while controlling for alcohol exposure within the PME sample. Method: Participants consisted of PME children and ADHD referred by their primary care physician for a full neuropsychological/psychological assessment at a community mental health clinic. The study consisted of 113 PME children (67 reportedly prenatally exposed to methamphetamine and alcohol, and 46 reportedly prenatally exposed to methamphetamine without alcohol exposure), and 113 non-exposed children diagnosed with ADHD following a full neuropsychological/psychological assessment. Study variables consisted of BASC-2 Externalizing Problems Index, (including hyperactivity, aggression, and conduct problems scales), and overall Behavioral Symptom Index. Results: Study results indicated that the PME group exhibited significantly elevated levels of Hyperactivity (p = .03), Aggression (p < .01), Conduct Problems (p < .01), Externalizing Problems (p < .01), and Behavioral Symptom Index (p < .01). When controlling for alcohol exposure, consistent significant differences remained between the PME-no alcohol exposure and ADHD controls in Conduct Problems (p < .01), Externalizing Problems (p = .03), and Behavioral Symptom Index (p = .01). Conclusion: Study results indicate that according to parent-report, PME children exhibit significantly elevated levels of difficulty with externalizing behaviors when compared to ADHD peers, and that these difficulties remain consistent when controlling for prenatal polysubstance exposure to alcohol. As such, results indicate that PME has an impact in emotional regulation and behavioral control independent of alcohol exposure.