Development of emotional and behavioral regulation in children born extremely preterm and very preterm: biological and social influences.
This study describes the development of emotional and behavioral regulation in a regional cohort of children born extremely preterm (<28 weeks gestational age, n = 39), very preterm (<34 weeks gestational age, n = 56), and full term (n = 103). At 2 and 4 years, children born at younger gestational ages demonstrated poorer self-regulation across multiple contexts spanning observed interactions, formal cognitive testing, and parental report of child behavior at home. Among children born preterm, the 2 strongest predictors of impairments in self-regulation were the presence of moderate-to-severe cerebral white matter abnormalities on neonatal magnetic resonance and a less sensitive parenting style when children were aged 2 years. Findings support the importance of early neurological development and parenting for developing regulation in children born very preterm.
Clark
Caron A C
CA
Canterbury Child Development Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. cac65@student.canterbury.ac.nz
Woodward
Lianne J
LJ
Horwood
L John
LJ
Moor
Stephanie
S
D000339:Affect; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept