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Updated: Sep 20, 2025

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Factors influencing participation in home, school, and community settings by 6- to 9-year-old children born preterm:
Tiffany K Bradshaw1,2, James T D Gibbons1,2,3, Andrew C Wilson1,3,4
1Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, The Kids Research Institute Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
Insights
Very preterm children face diverse health needs and participation challenges in middle childhood. Parental insights highlight impacts on their child
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Health
Background:
- Middle childhood (6-9 years) is crucial for developing motor, reasoning, self-regulation, social, and executive functioning skills.
- Limited research exists on the activities and participation of very preterm children during this developmental stage.
- Understanding these children's experiences is vital for targeted support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the health, activities, and participation of very preterm children (born <32 weeks gestation) aged 6-9 years.
- To gather parents' perspectives on their children's functioning and engagement in various life domains.
- To identify factors influencing the activities and participation of these children.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative descriptive study design.
- Semi-structured interviews conducted with 20 parents of 27 very preterm children.
- Interview data analyzed and coded using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health – Children and Youth version (ICF-CY) domains.
Main Results:
- Parents reported a wide spectrum of health needs, including respiratory, mental health, behavioral, sleep, and nutritional challenges.
- Children's participation and functioning were influenced by personal factors (e.g., preferences, motivation) and environmental factors (e.g., parenting, educational support, healthcare access).
- Diverse participation outcomes were observed, indicating varied experiences among very preterm children.
Conclusions:
- Preterm birth significantly impacts children's health, activities, and participation during middle childhood.
- A comprehensive understanding of these impacts is essential for effective clinical management.
- Parental perspectives offer valuable insights into the holistic well-being of very preterm children.
Purpose:
There is no published information on preterm children's activities and participation during middle childhood, a time when growth and development are characterised by increasing motor, reasoning, self-regulation, social and executive functioning skills. This study explored the health, activities and participation of children born very preterm during middle childhood (6-9 years) from the perspectives of their parents.
Methods:
This was a qualitative descriptive design. Twenty parents of 27 very preterm children born < 32 weeks gestation participated in semi-structured interviews to explore their child's health, behaviour, functioning and participation in school, at home and in the community along with environment and personal factors that influenced the child's activities and participation. Interview data were coded to each of the International Classification of Functioning in Disability (ICF-CY) domains.
Results:
Parents reported a broad range of health needs and participation outcomes. Parents reported challenges related to respiratory health, mental health and behaviour, sleep, nutrition and feeding. The child's participation and functioning were influenced by both personal and environmental factors including but not limited to parenting styles, education and learning support, access to health support and personal preferences and motivations.
Conclusion:
Preterm birth is associated with impacts on the child's health, activities and participation. This comprehensive view on the child's health and wellbeing can aid clinicians in their management of these children.
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