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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Effortful control, positive emotional expression, and behavior problems in children born preterm

Cynthia Burnson1, Julie Poehlmann, A J Schwichtenberg

  • 1University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States.

Infant Behavior & Development
|July 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

High effortful control in preterm infants was linked to fewer behavior problems. Positive emotion expression was associated with effortful control in boys, while socioeconomic factors benefited all children.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Health
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Children born preterm (mean gestational age = 31.4 weeks) face unique developmental challenges.
  • Effortful control is crucial for emotional regulation and behavior in early childhood.
  • Understanding factors influencing effortful control in this population is vital for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between effortful control, positive emotional expression, and behavior problems in preterm children.
  • To examine the moderating roles of gender and socioeconomic assets in these relationships.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective longitudinal study design.
  • Sample of 173 children born preterm.
  • Assessment of effortful control, behavior problems (24 & 36 months), and positive emotional expression (24 months).

Main Results:

  • Higher effortful control correlated with fewer behavior problems, an effect reduced by socioeconomic assets.
  • Socioeconomic assets were linked to fewer behavior problems and higher effortful control (girls).
  • Less positive emotional expression associated with higher effortful control in boys, not girls.

Conclusions:

  • Socioeconomic assets are key for effortful control and behavior in preterm children, irrespective of gender.
  • Positive emotional expression is important for boys' effortful control development.
  • Interventions should target effortful control to promote resilience in high-risk preterm populations.

Keywords:
Effortful controlGenderInternalizing problemsPositive emotionPreterm infants

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