A1 Journal article (refereed)
Longitudinal associations between parental early psychological distress and children’s emotional and behavioural problems during early childhood and self-reported social functioning in 11-year-old children born very preterm (2024)

Salomäki, S., Junttila, N., Setänen, S., Rautava, P., Huhtala, M., Leppänen, M., Lehtonen, L., & Korja, R. (2024). Longitudinal associations between parental early psychological distress and children’s emotional and behavioural problems during early childhood and self-reported social functioning in 11-year-old children born very preterm. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 21(2), 155-170. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2023.2276484

JYU authors or editors

Junttila, Niina

Publication details

All authors or editors: Salomäki, Susanna; Junttila, Niina; Setänen, Sirkku; Rautava, Päivi; Huhtala, Mira; Leppänen, Marika; Lehtonen, Liisa; Korja, Riikka

Journal or series: European Journal of Developmental Psychology

ISSN: 1740-5629

eISSN: 1740-5610

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 26/11/2023

Volume: 21

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 155-170

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2023.2276484

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/92119

Abstract

This study examined longitudinal associations between parental psychological distress (stress and depression) when the child was 2 to 4 years and a child’s emotional and behavioural problems at ages 3 to 4, and social functioning (loneliness and social competence) at age 11 in very preterm born children. The participants were Finnish families of 172 very preterm infants (gestational age < 32 weeks and/or birth weight ≤ 1500 g). In girls, higher levels of maternal depression were associated with higher levels of social and emotional loneliness. Furthermore, higher levels of maternal stress and children’s externalizing problems were associated with lower levels of experienced empathy. In boys, higher levels of paternal depression were associated with lower levels of social loneliness and impulsive behaviour. In conclusion, early parental psychological distress is associated with early socioemotional development and the later experienced social functioning in former very preterm infants. The sex of the child moderates these associations.

Keywords: parenthood; premature labour; premature infants; social skills; loneliness

Free keywords: preterm birth; parenthood; emotional and behavioural problems; social competence; loneliness

Fields of science:

515 Psychology (Social sciences)

Contributing organizations

JYU units:

Department of Teacher Education

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 1

A1 Journal article (refereed)Longitudinal associations between parental early psychological distress and children’s emotional and behavioural problems during early childhood and self-reported social functioning in 11-year-old children born very preterm (2024)

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

Abstract

Contributing organizations

A1 Journal article (refereed)
Longitudinal associations between parental early psychological distress and children’s emotional and behavioural problems during early childhood and self-reported social functioning in 11-year-old children born very preterm (2024)