Childhood Factors and Positive Functioning Among Adults Born Very Preterm or With Very Low Birth Weight
Elif Gönen1, E Sabrina Twilhaar1, Nicole Tsalacopoulos1,2,3,4,5
1Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.
JAMA Pediatrics
|July 20, 2026
Summary
Adults born very preterm or with very low birth weight (VP or VLBW) face higher risks in wealth and social relationships. Enhancing children's cognitive function may improve adult outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Perinatal Medicine
- Sociology
Background:
- Adults born very preterm (VP) or with very low birth weight (VLBW) exhibit increased risks for wealth and social difficulties.
- However, many achieve positive outcomes, indicating heterogeneity influenced by early life factors.
- Little is known about childhood factors promoting positive functioning in VP or VLBW individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify distinct positive functioning profiles at age 34 in VP/VLBW and term-born adults.
- To examine the alignment of these profiles with subjective life satisfaction.
- To investigate associations between functioning profiles and childhood factors.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal cohort study of VP/VLBW and term-born infants from birth to 34 years (born 1985-1986, Bavaria, Germany).
- Assessed person (e.g., IQ), process (e.g., parenting), and context (e.g., socioeconomic status) factors from childhood.
- Measured positive functioning (risk avoidance, wealth, social relationships) and life satisfaction at age 34.
Main Results:
- Three functioning profiles identified: optimal, moderate (low partner relationships), and low economic/social functioning.
- VP/VLBW individuals were overrepresented in the low functioning profile (18% vs. 12% overall).
- Optimal functioning was linked to significantly higher life satisfaction; higher childhood IQ was associated with lower odds of low functioning.
Conclusions:
- A significant subgroup of adults born VP or VLBW experiences poorer adult functioning and life satisfaction.
- Childhood factors, particularly cognitive functioning (IQ), play a crucial role in shaping long-term positive outcomes.
- Interventions targeting cognitive development in early childhood may mitigate risks associated with VP/VLBW birth.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence
Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
01:28Relationship with Parents: Attachment
Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
01:10Nature and Nurture
Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
01:30Information Processing Approach
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...