Gender, Developmental Trajectory, and Adolescent Outcomes in Poly-Drug Exposed Children
Sex/gender is one of the obvious biological and social characteristics influencing human behavior, yet limited understanding of the nature of sex/gender differences and the myriad influence upon them is a barrier to developing gender-sensitive prevention programs for those at higher risk. This presentation will discuss gender differences and similarities in the developmental trajectories of early behavioral problems (ages 4-12) and subsequent outcomes of substance use and sexual risk behaviors at age 15 in 386 (183 male, 203 female) adolescents with prenatal cocaine/poly-drug exposure (PCE) vs. a matched group without PCE, who were prospectively enrolled in a longitudinal study at birth. Moderating effects of gender in linking different trajectories with adolescent outcomes will be also discussed.
Sex/gender is one of the obvious biological and social characteristics influencing human behavior, yet limited understanding of the nature of sex/gender differences and the myriad influence upon them is a barrier to developing gender-sensitive prevention programs for those at higher risk. This presentation will discuss gender differences and similarities in the developmental trajectories of early behavioral problems (ages 4-12) and subsequent outcomes of substance use and sexual risk behaviors at age 15 in 386 (183 male, 203 female) adolescents with prenatal cocaine/poly-drug exposure (PCE) vs. a matched group without PCE, who were prospectively enrolled in a longitudinal study at birth. Moderating effects of gender in linking different trajectories with adolescent outcomes will be also discussed.