Korean mothers' alcohol consumption trajectories from childbirth to 6 years postpartum and children's executive function difficulties at first grade.

Purpose: This study aims to identify Korean mothers' alcohol consumption trajectories during early parenthood (from birth to 6 years postpartum) and to examine associations between these trajectories and their children's executive function difficulties at first grade (age 7).

Methods: Participants were 1010 mothers and their children, a subset of the Panel Study of Korean Children. Mothers' postpartum alcohol consumption trajectories were identified using growth mixture modeling. Children's executive function difficulties by the trajectories were examined using factorial analysis of covariance.

Results: Korean mothers' alcohol consumption trajectories during early parenthood were heterogeneous. Mothers developed one of four alcohol consumption patterns: stable low use (49.9%), increasing use (25.0%), chronic modest use (18.3%), and chronic high use (6.8%). Children's executive function difficulties as evaluated by first grade teachers differed by mothers' postpartum alcohol consumption trajectories. Children of chronic high users displayed more difficulties in planning-organization, behavioral control, and attention-concentration than did children of the other groups of mothers.

Conclusions: Mothers' chronic and excessive postpartum alcohol consumption during early parenthood can be a significant risk factor for difficulties in children's early executive function development. Early screening for mothers with unhealthy alcohol consumption habits is critical. Special attention and support should be afforded to their children's development and school adjustment.