Predictors of Prenatal Substance Abuse
It is very important for potential/expectant mothers to be aware of the predictors of prenatal substance abuse. Being aware of the predictors may serve as to educate the potential/expectant mother so that she may take precautions to prevent doing damage to her baby.
Being a teen mother...
Studies have repeatedly shown that a huge risk for abusing substance prenatally is being a teen mother. Studies have also shown that being a teen mom and abusing substances is a predictor that your child may also be a teen mom and abuse substances (the cycle).
Being abused or neglected as a child...
Being abused or neglected as a child sometimes is related to being born to a teen mom or a mother that drinks or smokes. However, even if this is not the case, being abused or neglected can cause externalization and internalization behaviors which can lead to risky sex (early child-bearing) and substance abuse, which will increase the chances of having a child with cognitive disability or behavioral problems. This can continue the cycle and cause these children to also engage in risky sex and substance abuse.
Depression...
In a study that sought to find predictors of smoking, they found that depressed girls were more than twice as likely to smoke over non-depressed girls.