Peer Relationship Trajectories in Very Preterm and Term Individuals from Childhood to Early Adulthood
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Objective:To identify trajectories of peer relationships in very preterm and term-born individuals from 6 to 26 years of age and test early-life predictors of these trajectories.Method:As part of the Bavarian Longitudinal Study, 218 very preterm/very low birth weight (VP/VLBW; <32 weeks' gestation/<1500 grams) and 220 healthy term-born (37-42 weeks' gestation) individuals were followed prospectively from birth to adulthood. Parent and self-reports at 6, 8, 13, and 26 years were combined into comprehensive developmentally appropriate scores across 3 domains: peer acceptance, friendships, and peer problems. Latent profile analyses were used to identify trajectories across these 3 domains. Binary and multinomial logistic regressions were used to test the following potential predictors of trajectories: VP/VLBW status, sex, socioeconomic status, neonatal medical risk, parent-infant relationship at 5 months, child inhibitory control at 20 months, and child cognitive abilities at 20 months.Results:Three trajectories were identified for peer acceptance and friendships, and 2 trajectories were identified for peer problems. Higher cognitive abilities predicted more optimal trajectories in peer acceptance (odds ratio: 1.03 [95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.05]), friendships (1.03 [1.00-1.05]), and peer problems (1.06 [1.04-1.09]). In addition, good parent-infant relationships predicted lower peer problem trajectories (1.61 [1.03-2.50]).Conclusion:Early cognitive deficits may underlie persistent peer relationship difficulties in VP/VLBW samples. Positive parent-infant relationships may help reduce preterm children's risk for long-term peer problems.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 8 |
Pages (from-to) | 621-630 |
Number of pages | 10 |
ISSN | 0196-206X |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
- cognitive abilities, prematurity, social relationships
Research areas
ID: 393153860