Psychosocial Outcomes of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Adulthood (original) (raw)
Related papers
Risk Factors for Adverse Life Outcomes in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects
Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 2004
Clinical descriptions of patients with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) suggest major problems with adaptive behavior. Five operationally defined adverse outcomes and 18 associated risk/protective factors were examined using a Life History Interview with knowledgeable informants of 415 patients with FAS or FAE (median age 14 years, range 6-51; median IQ 86, range 29-126). Eighty percent of these patients were not raised by their biological mothers. For adolescents and adults, the life span prevalence was 61% for Disrupted School Experiences, 60% for Trouble with the Law, 50% for Confinement (in detention, jail, prison, or a psychiatric or alcohol/drug inpatient setting), 49% for Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors on repeated occasions, and 35% for Alcohol/Drug Problems. The odds of escaping these adverse life outcomes are increased 2-to 4-fold by receiving the diagnosis of FAS or FAE at an earlier age and by being reared in good stable environments. J Dev Behav Pediatr 25: [228][229][230][231][232][233][234][235][236][237][238] 2004. Index terms: fetal alcohol syndrome, fetal alcohol effects, risk factors for adverse life outcomes, life span studies, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
Aims: To investigate self-reported physical and psychiatric problems, use of alcohol and illicit drugs, as well as conviction, and being a victim, of crime in adults with foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Methods: Interviews with 20 adults, aged 30+8 years with FAS diagnosis (65% female) and an age-and-gender-matched comparison group. Measures used were the Addiction Severity Index interview, the Beck Depression Inventory Scale and the Beck Anxiety Inventory Scale. Results and conclusions: Adults with FAS need healthcare for depression and suicidal ideation, which occurred commonly, but problems with use of alcohol and illicit drugs were not more common in the FAS group. Although self-reported physical health problems were not more common in the FAS group, their number of days with sickness leave indicated that they are often in too poor a physical condition to work. A majority of the FAS group had been victims of crime, which makes this an important topic for further research. The groups did not differ in crime conviction rates. Everyone in the study group had been diagnosed with FAS; a diagnosis may give access to social
2016
Alcohol’s teratogenic effect on the developing fetal brain is devastating, resulting in, for instance, structural abnormalities as well as behavioral and neuropsychological impairments in the child. The umbrella term Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is used to describe the range of effects, from neuropsychological dysfunctions to complete Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The disabilities associated with FASD have a major impact on life for children, and perhaps even in adulthood. However, only a few studies have addressed the long-term outcome in adults prenatally exposed to alcohol, especially with a diagnosis of FAS, from a psychological perspective. The main aim of this thesis was to investigate the psychological, psychosocial and neuropsychological consequences of FAS in adulthood. Participants in the studies in this thesis consisted of 79 adults (mean age: 32 years) with an FAS diagnosis. In Study I, data on the adults with FAS and a gender- and age-matched comparison group...
Responding to the Unique Complexities of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Frontiers in Psychology, 2022
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a multifaceted disability, characterized not only by brain- and body-based challenges, but also high rates of environmental adversity, lifelong difficulties with daily living, and distinct sociocultural considerations. FASD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disabilities in the Western world and associated with significant social and economic costs. It is important to understand the complexities of FASD and the ways in which FASD requires unique consideration in research, practice, and policy. In this article, we discuss our perspectives on factors that distinguish FASD from other disabilities in terms of complexity, co-occurrence, and magnitude. We provide an overview of select literature related to FASD as a socially rooted disability with intergenerational impacts and multiple layers of stigma. These social issues are intertwined with notable experiences of adversity across the lifespan and high rates of co-occurring health conc...
The European Journal of Public Health, 2016
Background: Even in adulthood, the disabilities associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) may have a major impact on life, but different environmental circumstances during childhood may also be influential. This study aimed to investigate placements in out-of-home care, and number of early separations from caregivers, related to psychosocial outcomes in adults with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Additional analyses were then done on a subgroup's cognitive development and mental health. Methods: Data on education and living with biological parents or in out-of-home care were obtained from childhood medical records on 51 adults (43% women), mean age 32, all diagnosed with FAS. Adult psychosocial outcomes (e.g. highest completed education, economic status, care due to alcohol or illicit drug abuse, mental health and conviction for crime) were obtained from national registers. Results: No significant within-group differences related to the adult psychosocial outcomes were found. Psychiatric disorders, psychotropic drug prescriptions and crime convictions were equally common, regardless of whether placement in care was early or late, or whether the participants had experienced few or many early separations. Conclusions: We suggest that the findings illustrate the heterogeneity among individuals with FASD. Welfare authorities' decisions concerning special education and placement in out-of-home care should be tailored to each individual. Interventions from society are still needed for individuals with FAS over 22 years old.
Determinants of drinking and lifespan outcomes for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
2013
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has been identified as a major public health concern. However, limited research has used longitudinal data to track the developmental life course of these individuals. Furthermore, women who drink during pregnancy are not a homogenous group. Concerns regarding drinking behaviours in women who are or could become pregnant are therefore of great concern. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of a number of risk factors that contribute to a woman's drinking during pregnancy and FASD risk, as well as the subsequent lifespan outcomes that occur in individuals with FASD.
SECONDARY DISABILITIES AMONG ADULTS WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) face serious challenges because of physical, cognitive and behavioural deficits. The interaction of behavioural and mental health problems with adverse environments leads to further problems, such as trouble with the law, called "secondary disabilities". Although FASD affects about 1% of the population in the United States, very little research has been done to describe adults with FASD in Canada and what factors may affect the rate of secondary disabilities.
2015
INDIVIDUALS WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER (FASD): PREDICTIVE FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE By Mary Culshaw, MSc, BScOT A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University 2015 Dissertation Chair: Shelly Lane, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Professor Emeritus, Department of Occupational Therapy As awareness and diagnoses of FASD grow in Canada, there is increased need to support these individuals across their lifespan. One study suggested the prevalence of FASD may be as high as 10 per 1000 births (May & Gossage, 2001). The impact to society is growing as well, since this population requires support across their lifespan due to cognitive and sometimes physical impairments. It was estimated that the annual cost to Canadians was $53 billion (in 2007 dollar value) to support individuals aged 0-53 years (Stade et al., 2009). There is mounting evidence id...
Psychiatric conditions associated with prenatal alcohol exposure
Developmental disabilities research reviews, 2009
Since the identification of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) over 35 years ago, mounting evidence about the impact of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy has prompted increased attention to the link between prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and a constellation of developmental disabilities that are characterized by physical, cognitive, and behavioral impairments. These disabilities include a continuum of developmental disorders known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Longitudinal studies suggest that individuals with FASDs are at a greatly increased risk for adverse long-term outcomes, including mental health problems and poor social adjustment. This review summarizes the existing literature on mental health outcomes for individuals with PAE across the lifespan, including findings in infancy and early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence and early adulthood. Research on the psychiatric disabilities suffered by individuals with FASDs throughout development highlights the need for training of mental health professionals in the identification and the provision of specific treatments to address the unique features of this developmental disability since early identification and treatment have been demonstrated to be protective against more serious secondary disabilities. It is hoped that with greater awareness of the mental health problems experienced by individuals with FASDs, these individuals can receive appropriate and early treatment resulting in more adaptive and rewarding lives.