Question

Richardson et al. (2013) found that first trimester cocaine exposure has been associated with less sociability, more withdrawn behavioral problems, more anxious/depressed behaviors and symptoms in the children. These behaviors may be precursors of later psychiatric problems.

By caregiver reports, higher cocaine use was associated with disruptive behaviors including aggression and delinquent behavior at 9 years of age (McLaughlin et al., 2011).

Moreover, caregiver reports indicate overall issues of executive function in 12 year-old children with higher amounts of prenatal exposure; in particular, females had greater problems with initiation activities, working memory, and organization (Minnes et al., 2014). Carmody et al. (2011) further documented cocaine exposure affected the attention and inhibitory control performance of males, but not females, in children at ages 6, 9, and 11.

–"Developmental Consequences of Fetal
Exposure to Drugs: What We Know and What
We Still Must Learn,"
Emily J. Ross et al.

Which inferences can be made from the passage? Check all that apply.

Prenatal cocaine exposure can lead to more anxiety in childhood.
Prenatal cocaine exposure can lead to aggressive behavior, even many years later.
Prenatal cocaine exposure can lead to problems with memory or attention.
Prenatal cocaine exposure can lead to problems, but they usually go away after one or two years.

Answer 1

Select the statements that can be inferred:

- Prenatal cocaine exposure can lead to more anxiety in childhood. — Yes. (Richardson et al. found more anxious/depressed behaviors/symptoms.)
- Prenatal cocaine exposure can lead to aggressive behavior, even many years later. — Yes. (McLaughlin et al. found aggression/delinquent behavior at age 9.)
- Prenatal cocaine exposure can lead to problems with memory or attention. — Yes. (Minnes et al. found working‑memory/executive problems at 12; Carmody et al. found attention/inhibitory control effects.)
- Prenatal cocaine exposure can lead to problems, but they usually go away after one or two years. — No. (The cited studies report problems persisting into later childhood, not that they resolve after 1–2 years.)