Please note that there are two different conference venues: June 14/15 - Century City Conference Centre June 16 - Kirstenbosch Conference Centre (transportation available)
Abstract #249 Title: Resilience in preschool children exposed prenatally to methamphetamine and postnatally to domestic violence Presenter: Trecia Wouldes (The University of Auckland, New Zealand) Co-Author: Linda L. LaGasse, Jenny Rogers, Barry M. Lester Introduction: Resilience in this study was conceptualized as better inhibitory behavior, an important component of executive function (EF) in preschool children. EF refers to higher order thinking skills that are mediated by the frontal cortex, and have been found to be a better predictor of school achievement and learning than IQ. Methods: Participants were 106 children and their mothers exposed prenatally to methamphetamine and 115 non-exposed children and their mothers enrolled at birth in the New Zealand Infant Development, Environment and Lifestyle (NZ IDEAL) Study. Lifestyle and environmental data were collected at 1, 12, 24, 30, 36 and 54 months. Groups were matched for maternal educational level, ethnicity and the child's birth weight. The Conflict Tactics Scale evaluated level of domestic violence. Inhibition was measured with maternal report using the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version (BRIEF-P) and an examiner administered inhibition task, the Gift Delay. Findings: Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that the quality and stimulation of the home environment, better maternal mental health and less severe violence exposure predicted better inhibitory behavior, which were negatively correlated with child internalization and externalization. These findings can be used to improve clinical services for children exposed to domestic violence.
Abstract #307 Title: Resilient Outcomes among Young Adults with Complex Drug Use Presenter: Steven Kurtz (Nova Southeastern University, USA) Abstract: Young adults with complex substance use are at risk for numerous other health and social problems. Among men and women participants in Miami’s nightclub scene who were recruited to a behavioral intervention study, we examined resilience as a predictor of improved health and social outcomes at 12 months post baseline.
