To identify trajectories of peer relationships in very preterm and term-born individuals from 6 to 26 years of age and test early-life predictors of these trajectories.
Method:
As part of the Bavarian Longitudinal Study, 218 very preterm/very low birth weight (VP/VLBW; <32 weeks’ gestation/<1500 grams) and 220 healthy term-born (37–42 weeks’ gestation) individuals were followed prospectively from birth to adulthood. Parent and self-reports at 6, 8, 13, and 26 years were combined into comprehensive developmentally appropriate scores across 3 domains: peer acceptance, friendships, and peer problems. Latent profile analyses were used to identify trajectories across these 3 domains. Binary and multinomial logistic regressions were used to test the following potential predictors of trajectories: VP/VLBW status, sex, socioeconomic status, neonatal medical risk, parent-infant relationship at 5 months, child inhibitory control at 20 months, and child cognitive abilities at 20 months.
Results:
Three trajectories were identified for peer acceptance and friendships, and 2 trajectories were identified for peer problems. Higher cognitive abilities predicted more optimal trajectories in peer acceptance (odds ratio: 1.03 [95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.05]), friendships (1.03 [1.00–1.05]), and peer problems (1.06 [1.04–1.09]). In addition, good parent-infant relationships predicted lower peer problem trajectories (1.61 [1.03–2.50]).
Conclusion:
Early cognitive deficits may underlie persistent peer relationship difficulties in VP/VLBW samples. Positive parent-infant relationships may help reduce preterm children’s risk for long-term peer problems.
Reyes, L. M., Jaekel, J., Bartmann, P., & Wolke, D. (2021 – online first). Peer Relationship Trajectories in Very Preterm and Term Individuals from Childhood to Early Adulthood. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, Publish Ahead of Print. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/dbp.0000000000000949