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Developmental Outcomes, Attachment and Parenting: Study of a Sample of Spanish Premature Children
Purificación Sierra-García1, María López-Maestro2, María José Torres-Valdivieso2
1Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia(Spain).
Insights
Premature children often develop well, with many showing no significant delays in development, attachment, or maternal stress by age two. Continued multidisciplinary support is recommended for socio-emotional development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Prematurity is a known risk factor for developmental challenges.
- Early development, attachment, and parental well-being are crucial for preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overview the development of premature children up to two years corrected age.
- To evaluate infant development, attachment, psychological adjustment, and parental stress.
- To identify factors influencing outcomes in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 130 preterm children (<1500g or <32 weeks gestation).
- Assessment at two years corrected age, including infant development, attachment, and psychological adjustment.
- Evaluation of parental socio-demographic data and parental stress levels.
Main Results:
- Developmental delays observed in 5-21% of preterm children.
- Girls exhibited slightly higher developmental levels than boys.
- Secure attachment was the predominant pattern; no significant differences in behavioral problems or maternal stress compared to the general population were found.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of preterm children demonstrate positive developmental trajectories, attachment, and maternal stress levels.
- While prematurity poses risks, outcomes can be favorable.
- Multidisciplinary follow-up focusing on socio-emotional and affective domains is essential for supporting parenthood and child development.
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the development of premature children, including attachment, child psychological adjustment and parental variables. 130 children < 1,500 g or < 32 weeks at birth from two public hospitals, assessed at two years corrected age, together with their parents. Parental socio-demographic data was collected. Infant development, attachment and child psychological adjustment were evaluated, as was parental stress. The percentage of preterm children with developmental delays ranged from 5% to 21%. Girls tend to show higher levels of development than boys with effect sizes ranging from small, η2p = .02, to medium, η2p = .07. Secure attachment was the most frequent pattern in the sample. No significant differences, p < .05, between preterm children and the normative population were found on children´s behavioral problems and maternal stress levels. Despite the fact prematurity is considered to be a risk factor for a child´s development, a significant proportion of these children do not show problems in terms of developmental levels, attachment pattern and maternal stress. However, socio-emotional and affective domains, as well as psychological support programs for parenthood, should be followed up from a multidisciplinary perspective.
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