Differential susceptibility effects of maternal sensitivity in childhood on small for gestational age adults' wealth

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

Being born small for gestational age (SGA) is considered a developmental vulnerability. Alternatively, SGA may be viewed as a marker for individual susceptibility to environmental experiences. The aim was to test if individuals born SGA are more susceptible to both negative and positive environmental experiences assessed by sensitive parenting in childhood compared with those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA). The target outcome was wealth in young adulthood. A total of 438 participants (SGA, n = 109; AGA, n = 329) were studied as part of the prospective Bavarian Longitudinal Study of neonatal at-risk children. Maternal sensitivity was observed during a standardized mother-child interaction task, and IQ was assessed with the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children at age 6 years. At age 26, participants' wealth was assessed with a comprehensive composite score. Individuals born SGA were found to be more susceptible to the effects of sensitive parenting after controlling for gestational age and IQ at age 6 years. When maternal sensitivity was lower than average, SGA adults did worse than AGA adults, but when exposed to above-Average maternal sensitivity in childhood, they obtained significantly higher wealth than their AGA peers by 26 years of age.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftDevelopment and Psychopathology
Vol/bind32
Udgave nummer1
Sider (fra-til)197-203
Antal sider7
ISSN0954-5794
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2020
Eksternt udgivetJa

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
Financial support. This study was supported by grants from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Science (BMBF) PKE24, JUG14, 01EP9504 and 01ER0801. D. W. was supported by EU Horizon 2020 (733280; RECAP preterm). The contents of this article are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent official views of the BMBF or EU.

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019.

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