Peer Relationship Trajectories in Very Preterm and Term Individuals from Childhood to Early Adulthood

In Brief Objective: To identify trajectories of peer relationships in very preterm and term-born individuals from 6 to 26 years age test early-life predictors these trajectories. Method: As part the Bavarian Longitudinal Study, 218 preterm/very low birth weight (VP/VLBW; <32 weeks' gestation/<1500 grams) 220 healthy (37–42 gestation) were followed prospectively adulthood. Parent self-reports at 6, 8, 13, combined into comprehensive developmentally appropriate scores across 3 domains: acceptance, friendships, problems. Latent profile analyses used domains. Binary multinomial logistic regressions following potential trajectories: VP/VLBW status, sex, socioeconomic neonatal medical risk, parent-infant relationship 5 months, child inhibitory control 20 cognitive abilities months. Results: Three identified for acceptance 2 Higher predicted more optimal (odds ratio: 1.03 [95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.05]), friendships (1.03 [1.00–1.05]), problems (1.06 [1.04–1.09]). addition, good lower problem (1.61 [1.03–2.50]). Conclusion: Early deficits may underlie persistent difficulties samples. Positive help reduce children's risk long-term This article has supplementary material on web site: www.jdbp.org.