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Updated: May 21, 2026

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
08:09

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood

Published on: February 11, 2017

A comparison of prematurity and small for gestational age as risk factors for age 6-13 year emotional problems

James Hall1, Dieter Wolke

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.

Early Human Development
|June 16, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Children born very preterm (VP) face a higher risk of persistent emotional problems into adolescence compared to those born small for gestational age (SGA). These findings highlight the need for early interventions for VP infants.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Health
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Both very preterm (VP) and small for gestational age (SGA) births are associated with increased risk of childhood emotional difficulties.
  • Limited research has directly compared the long-term emotional outcomes of VP versus SGA births.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the levels and trajectories of emotional problems in children aged 6-13 years.
  • To investigate the distinct impacts of very preterm birth (VP) and small for gestational age (SGA) on emotional development.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective longitudinal cohort study of 654 Bavarian children born 1985-1986.
  • Emotional problems assessed at ages 6.3 and 8.5 years (Child Behavior Check List - CBCL) and 12/13 years (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - SDQ).
  • Analysis of emotional problem trajectories from age 6.3 to 13 years.

Main Results:

  • Two distinct patterns of emotional problems emerged: low/stable (76%) and high/stable (24%) from ages 6-13.
  • High and stable emotional problems were significantly linked to very preterm birth (VP), but not small for gestational age (SGA) birth.
  • Male gender and lower socioeconomic status were additional risk factors for persistent emotional problems.

Conclusions:

  • Very preterm birth (VP) is a significant predictor of persistent emotional problems, unlike small for gestational age (SGA) birth.
  • The findings suggest potential fetal or glucocorticoid programming influences on emotional development.
  • Early childhood interventions are crucial for very preterm infants due to the stability of their emotional challenges.
Abstract

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