Maternal scaffolding and preterm toddlers' visual-spatial processing and emerging working memory.
OBJECTIVE
We examined longitudinal associations among neonatal and socioeconomic risks, maternal scaffolding behaviors, and 24-month visual-spatial processing and working memory in a sample of 73 toddlers born preterm or low birthweight (PT LBW).


METHODS
Risk data were collected at hospital discharge and dyadic play interactions were observed at 16-months postterm. Abbreviated IQ scores, verbal/nonverbal working memory, and verbal/nonverbal visual-spatial processing data were collected at 24-months postterm.


RESULTS
Higher attention scaffolding and lower emotion scaffolding during 16-month play were associated with 24-month verbal working memory scores. A joint significance test revealed that maternal attention and emotion scaffolding during 16-month play mediated the relationship between socioeconomic risk and 24-month verbal working memory.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest areas for future research and intervention with children born PT LBW who also experience high socioeconomic risk.
Dilworth-Bart
Janean
J
University of Wisconsin, WI, USA. jedilworth@wisc.edu
Poehlmann
Julie
J
Hilgendorf
Amy E
AE
Miller
Kyle
K
Lambert
Heather
H
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D002657:Child Development; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007360:Intelligence; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000523:psychology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013037:Spatial Behavior; D014705:Verbal Behavior; D014796:Visual Perception