Development of Children Born Preterm: Are Dysfunctional Parenting Styles Associated with Poor Behavioural Outcomes?

Abstract

Children born preterm are more likely to have poor behavioural functioning, such as attention and conduct problems, than children born full-term. Though this is well documented in the academic literature, factors associated with such outcomes are still being examined. Dysfunctional parenting styles are recognised as being associated with adverse behaviours in full-term children, but when this relationship has been examined in a preterm population, the findings have been inconsistent. Only few studies have also investigated this association in older preterm children, and in children who are at high risk of poor developmental outcomes. Thus, the association between styles of parenting and child behavioural difficulties in a preterm population remains unclear. Accordingly, the current study aimed to investigate the behavioural functioning of 440 5-year-olds born <29 weeks gestation, with and without parents who had dysfunctional parenting styles. The cohort was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Parenting Scale, as reported by the parents. After controlling for potential confounding socioeconomic factors, results revealed that preterm children with parents who had dysfunctional parenting styles displayed more symptoms of conduct difficulties. Dysfunctional parenting styles were also associated with almost two times the odds of preterm children presenting with conduct problems that were indicative of clinical significance. The results of the present study highlight the importance of child and parental guidance to support conduct developmental outcomes in children born preterm. They further highlight the potential to alleviate clinically concerning conduct problems from continuing into later childhood and adolescence.