Mothers’ and fathers’ drug problems were reported by each parent or, in cases where the child’s mother or father was unavailable, by another primary caregiver that was knowledgeable about the parents’ mental health. Drug problems were reported in the context of a Family History Epidemiologic interview (Lish, Weissman, Adams, Hoven, & Bird, 1995) at age 16. Each parent was scored as having an alcohol/drug problem if he or she had been reported by the self or other caregiver as having ever: 1) been hospitalized for drugs or alcohol, 2) drunk a lot, 3) had drinking problems, 4) used illegal drugs, or 5) had a drug problem. Parents’ arrests were also reported by mothers and fathers, or, in some cases, by another caregiver. The parent was considered as having been arrested if the mother, father, or other caregiver reported that he or she had ever 1) been put in jail, 2) arrested, or 3) convicted of any crime (other than drunk driving or traffic violations).
