The Moderating Effect of Children's Development on the Relationship Between Moderate-to-late Prematurity and Maternal Stress at 18 Months of Age

Abstract

Moderate-to-late prematurity (MLPT) is associated with developmental risks and higher levels of maternal stress. Because research on MLPT is scarce and more studies have been done on very preterm infants regarding maternal stress, the present study focused on the possible moderating effect of children's development on the relationship between MLPT and maternal stress, at 18 months of age. Participants were 217 children, 118 MLPT born and 99 term born, and their mothers. The children’s development was measured using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition and The Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional, and maternal stress was assessed using The Short version of the Nijmeegse Ouderlijke Stress Index. Results show no significant relationship between MLPT and maternal stress, possibly because participating mothers were mostly high educated, and these mothers often have more resources to deal with stress, than low-educated mothers. Next, the relationship between the children’s social-emotional development and maternal stress was found to be significant, possibly because this kind of development has a large impact on the interaction between mother and child. Finally, the relationship between MLPT and maternal stress at 18 months of age is not moderated by children’s development, possibly because a mediation analysis could have more explained the association between the children’s development and maternal stress. It is also recommended to carry out this research on a larger scale, consisting both parents, in order to be certain of the identified effects and equality in different groups. More research is needed to examine the long term effects of children's development on maternal stress at different ages. Specifically adjusted intervention programs could then help mothers of MLPT born children in dealing with the possible stress they could experience.