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Small for gestational age and poor fluid intelligence in childhood predict externalizing behaviors among young adults

Ayelet Lahat1, Ryan J Van Lieshout1, Saroj Saigal1

  • 1McMaster University.

Development and Psychopathology
|July 15, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants with poor fluid intelligence and born small for gestational age show higher externalizing behaviors. This suggests fluid intelligence may be a cognitive factor in psychopathology development for these individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Infants born at extremely low birth weight (ELBW) face increased risks for later psychopathology.
  • The underlying mechanisms linking ELBW to psychopathology remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of cognitive factors, specifically fluid intelligence, in the development of psychopathology among ELBW survivors.
  • To examine the association between ELBW, small for gestational age (SGA) status, fluid intelligence, and externalizing behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective longitudinal study of ELBW survivors followed to young adulthood (ages 22-26).
  • Cognitive assessments (fluid and general intelligence) conducted at age 8.
  • Self-report measures of personality characteristics related to psychopathology administered in young adulthood.
  • Analysis of data from 66 participants, considering ELBW, SGA, and fluid intelligence.

Main Results:

  • The association between ELBW and externalizing behaviors was significantly moderated by fluid intelligence.
  • ELBW individuals who were also born small for gestational age and had poor fluid intelligence exhibited the highest levels of externalizing behaviors.
  • Findings support a cumulative risk model for psychopathology in this cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Fluid intelligence may serve as a cognitive mechanism contributing to psychopathology in non-impaired ELBW survivors born small for gestational age.
  • Early cognitive assessment in ELBW infants may help identify those at higher risk for later behavioral issues.

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