Diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility? Comparing the theories when determining the outcomes for children born before 33 weeks' gestation
Infants born preterm (less than 37 weeks completed gestation) have a higher risk of suboptimal cognitive and behavioral outcomes when compared with their term-born counterparts. The risk and severity of poor outcome increases as gestational age at birth decreases; however, not all children born pret...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Acta Psychologica |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691822000488 |
| _version_ | 1819279423086526464 |
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| author | Jacqueline F. Gould Carolyn Di Fiore Paul Williamson Rachel M. Roberts Rosalyn H. Shute Carmel T. Collins Maria Makrides |
| author_facet | Jacqueline F. Gould Carolyn Di Fiore Paul Williamson Rachel M. Roberts Rosalyn H. Shute Carmel T. Collins Maria Makrides |
| author_sort | Jacqueline F. Gould |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Infants born preterm (less than 37 weeks completed gestation) have a higher risk of suboptimal cognitive and behavioral outcomes when compared with their term-born counterparts. The risk and severity of poor outcome increases as gestational age at birth decreases; however, not all children born preterm will develop deficits, and environmental influences post birth may have a role in shaping developmental outcomes. Whilst early preterm birth is not preventable, it may be possible to intervene after birth via the environment in order to improve outcomes. The diathesis-stress theory hypothesizes that vulnerable individuals will have worse outcomes after a negative environmental exposure, whereas the differential susceptibility theory posits that vulnerable (or plastic) individuals can be both adversely and positively affected by environmental factors. These two theories were compared in 535 children born <33 weeks' gestation. The interaction between the degree of prematurity and the home environment (as measured by the Home Screening Questionnaire) at 18 months on cognition (Intelligence Quotient from the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence) and behavior (Total Difficulties Score from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) at 7 years was explored. Evidence was not found for either theory, although a supportive/stimulating home environment appeared to contribute to a decrease in the risk or severity of suboptimal scores. Future research is needed to establish stronger evidence in order to inform interventions to improve the home environment of children born preterm. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-24T00:27:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ce444b2a054b4f2d9930e1a48a907544 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0001-6918 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-24T00:27:40Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Psychologica |
| spelling | doaj.art-ce444b2a054b4f2d9930e1a48a9075442022-12-21T17:24:24ZengElsevierActa Psychologica0001-69182022-04-01224103533Diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility? Comparing the theories when determining the outcomes for children born before 33 weeks' gestationJacqueline F. Gould0Carolyn Di Fiore1Paul Williamson2Rachel M. Roberts3Rosalyn H. Shute4Carmel T. Collins5Maria Makrides6South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (Women & Kids), 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, South Australia 5006, Australia; Corresponding author.Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, AustraliaFlinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, AustraliaUniversity of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, AustraliaFlinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, AustraliaSouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (Women & Kids), 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, South Australia 5006, AustraliaSouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (Women & Kids), 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, South Australia 5006, AustraliaInfants born preterm (less than 37 weeks completed gestation) have a higher risk of suboptimal cognitive and behavioral outcomes when compared with their term-born counterparts. The risk and severity of poor outcome increases as gestational age at birth decreases; however, not all children born preterm will develop deficits, and environmental influences post birth may have a role in shaping developmental outcomes. Whilst early preterm birth is not preventable, it may be possible to intervene after birth via the environment in order to improve outcomes. The diathesis-stress theory hypothesizes that vulnerable individuals will have worse outcomes after a negative environmental exposure, whereas the differential susceptibility theory posits that vulnerable (or plastic) individuals can be both adversely and positively affected by environmental factors. These two theories were compared in 535 children born <33 weeks' gestation. The interaction between the degree of prematurity and the home environment (as measured by the Home Screening Questionnaire) at 18 months on cognition (Intelligence Quotient from the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence) and behavior (Total Difficulties Score from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) at 7 years was explored. Evidence was not found for either theory, although a supportive/stimulating home environment appeared to contribute to a decrease in the risk or severity of suboptimal scores. Future research is needed to establish stronger evidence in order to inform interventions to improve the home environment of children born preterm.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691822000488Child developmentDiathesis-stressDifferential susceptibilityHome environmentPreterm infant |
| spellingShingle | Jacqueline F. Gould Carolyn Di Fiore Paul Williamson Rachel M. Roberts Rosalyn H. Shute Carmel T. Collins Maria Makrides Diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility? Comparing the theories when determining the outcomes for children born before 33 weeks' gestation Acta Psychologica Child development Diathesis-stress Differential susceptibility Home environment Preterm infant |
| title | Diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility? Comparing the theories when determining the outcomes for children born before 33 weeks' gestation |
| title_full | Diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility? Comparing the theories when determining the outcomes for children born before 33 weeks' gestation |
| title_fullStr | Diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility? Comparing the theories when determining the outcomes for children born before 33 weeks' gestation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility? Comparing the theories when determining the outcomes for children born before 33 weeks' gestation |
| title_short | Diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility? Comparing the theories when determining the outcomes for children born before 33 weeks' gestation |
| title_sort | diathesis stress or differential susceptibility comparing the theories when determining the outcomes for children born before 33 weeks gestation |
| topic | Child development Diathesis-stress Differential susceptibility Home environment Preterm infant |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691822000488 |
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