title: Effects of preterm birth and gender on temperament and behavior in children.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to assess the direct and interactive effects of premature birth and gender on temperament and behavioral problems in 80 children aged 18-36 months. The sample was composed of children born preterm (PT; n=44) and children born full-term (FT; n=36). The children's mothers completed temperament (ECBQ) and behavioral problem (CBCL 1.5-5) assessments. Analyses of variance (ANOVA 2×2) were performed. With regard to temperament, PT children exhibited significantly higher scores on high-intensity pleasure and perceptual sensitivity and lower scores on discomfort, cuddliness, and Attentional Focusing compared with FT children. Girls scored higher on fear and discomfort compared with boys. With concern to behavioral problems, PT children scored higher on attention problems compared with FT children. No interactive effect of premature birth and gender on temperament or behavioral problems was found.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cosentino-Rocha
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vivian Caroline
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: linhares@fmrp.usp.br.
authors.forename: Maria Beatriz Martins
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Linhares
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013694:Temperament
keywords: Behavioral problems; Gender; Preterm birth; Temperament