Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026
P50 Sensory Gating in Infants
Published on: December 26, 2013
Goal Setting Deficits at 13 Years in Very Preterm Born Children
Kristina M Haebich1, Catherine Willmott1, Rachel Ellis2
11Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences,School of Psychological Sciences,Monash University,Melbourne,Australia.
Insights
Very preterm children show significant goal setting deficits compared to term-born peers. Neonatal brain abnormalities in preterm infants predict poorer planning and organization skills in later childhood.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Preterm children often exhibit executive function deficits.
- Goal setting abilities in very preterm (VP) children are not well understood.
- This study investigates goal setting in VP children and associated early risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare goal setting abilities between very preterm and term-born children at age 13.
- To examine the relationship between early risk factors (neonatal brain abnormalities, medical complications, sex) and goal setting in VP children.
Main Methods:
- 177 VP and 61 term-born children (age 13) were assessed for planning, organization, and strategic reasoning.
- Parental reports on executive function were collected.
- Regression models analyzed group differences and risk factor associations, controlling for confounders.
Main Results:
- VP children demonstrated significant impairments in goal setting compared to controls.
- Moderate to severe neonatal brain abnormalities predicted worse goal setting outcomes in VP children.
- Parental reports corroborated executive function difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Goal setting difficulties are prevalent in very preterm children during late childhood.
- These deficits are linked to neonatal brain abnormalities.
- Impaired goal setting may impact academic, social, and vocational functioning.
Objectives:
Preterm children demonstrate deficits in executive functions including inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility; however, their goal setting abilities (planning, organization, strategic reasoning) remain unclear. This study compared goal setting abilities between very preterm (VP: <30 weeks/<1250 grams) and term born controls during late childhood. Additionally, early risk factors (neonatal brain abnormalities, medical complications, and sex) were examined in relationship to goal setting outcomes within the VP group.
Methods:
Participants included 177 VP and 61 full-term born control children aged 13 years. Goal setting was assessed using several measures of planning, organization, and strategic reasoning. Parents also completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Regression models were performed to compare groups, with secondary analyses adjusting for potential confounders (sex and social risk), and excluding children with major neurosensory impairment and/or IQ<70. Within the VP group, regression models were performed to examine the relationship between brain abnormalities, medical complications, and sex, on goal setting scores.
Results:
The VP group demonstrated a clear pattern of impairment and inefficiency across goal setting measures, consistent with parental report, compared with their full-term born peers. Within the VP group, moderate/severe brain abnormalities on neonatal MRI predicted adverse goal setting outcomes at 13.
Conclusions:
Goal setting difficulties are a significant area of concern in VP children during late childhood. These difficulties are associated with neonatal brain abnormalities, and are likely to have functional consequences academically, socially and vocationally. (JINS, 2018, 24, 372-381).
Related Concept Videos
01:30Information Processing Approach
01:24Growth versus Fixed Mindset
01:14Piaget's Stage 2 of Cognitive Development