Motor Performance in Association with Perceived Loneliness and Social Competence in 11-Year-Old Children Born Very...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Pediatrics
• Neuroscience
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Very preterm birth (VPT) is associated with potential long-term effects on motor performance and social competence.
• Understanding these outcomes in adulthood is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Motor impairment following VPT may influence social development trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe perceived loneliness and social competence in children born very preterm.
• To examine the relationship between motor impairment and these psychosocial outcomes.
• To differentiate outcomes between specific motor impairments like Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 165 children born very preterm (birth weight ≤ 1500 g and/or gestational age < 32 weeks) were assessed at 11 years of age.
• Motor outcome was evaluated using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children—Second edition (Movement ABC-2).
• Perceived loneliness and social competence were assessed using validated scales (Peer Network and Dyadic Loneliness scale; Multisource Assessment of Children’s Social Competence Scale).

Main Results:

• Of the participants, 4% had CP, 11% had DCD, and 85% had typical motor development.
• No significant correlation was found between Movement ABC-2 scores and perceived loneliness or social competence in children without motor impairment.
• Children with DCD reported lower perceived loneliness but greater social competence difficulties than children with CP.

Conclusions:

• Early identification of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in very preterm children is essential.
• Interventions and support services are necessary to mitigate social exclusion risks for these children.
• Addressing motor impairments in very preterm infants can positively impact social development and well-being.