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Negative affectivity moderated by preterm birth predicted toddlers' behavior problems

Carolina Beatriz Savegnago Martins1, Rafaela Guilherme Monte Cassiano2, Maria Beatriz Martins Linhares2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters, University of São Paulo, Brazil.

Infant Behavior & Development
|February 22, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Preterm birth influences toddler behavior problems. Negative affectivity and low effortful control in temperament, moderated by preterm birth, predict behavioral issues in toddlers.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neonatal Research
  • Child Behavior

Background:

  • Preterm birth is a significant risk factor for developmental challenges.
  • Temperament, an individual's behavioral style, plays a crucial role in child development.
  • Understanding the interplay between early life experiences and innate traits is vital for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how preterm birth moderates the relationship between temperament and behavioral problems in toddlers.
  • To identify specific temperament characteristics that predict behavioral issues in children born preterm.
  • To enhance understanding of developmental trajectories following preterm birth.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving 100 toddlers (18-36 months), divided into preterm (PT) and full-term (FT) groups.
  • Mothers completed validated questionnaires assessing toddler temperament (Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire) and behavior problems (Child Behavior Checklist).
  • Multiple regression analysis was used to examine moderation effects, controlling for age and socioeconomic status.

Main Results:

  • A significant moderation effect was found between preterm birth and temperament on behavioral problems.
  • Higher Negative Affectivity, when moderated by preterm birth, and lower Effortful Control were associated with increased total, internalizing, and externalizing behavior problems.
  • These temperament traits explained a significant portion of behavioral difficulties in toddlers.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm birth interacts with specific temperament traits to predict behavioral problems in toddlerhood.
  • Findings highlight the importance of considering both early life adversity and innate dispositional traits.
  • This research aids in developing targeted support for toddlers born preterm and their families.
Abstract

Keywords:
BehaviorPretermTemperamentToddlerhood

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