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Behavior problems at 3 and 6 years: Prevalence and continuity in full-terms and preterms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2008

Susan A. Rose ,
Judith F. Feldman ,
Susan L. Rose ,
Ina F. Wallace  and
Cecelia McCarton
Susan A. Rose*
Affiliation:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center
Judith F. Feldman
Affiliation:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center
Susan L. Rose
Affiliation:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center
Ina F. Wallace
Affiliation:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center
Cecelia McCarton
Affiliation:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center
*
Address correspondence to: Susan A. Rose, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Kennedy Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461.
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Abstract

Results are reported for a 3-year prospective longitudinal study of behavior problems in a group of children born at very low birthweight (<1,500 g) and a full-term control. Behavior problems were assessed with the Behavior Screening Questionnaire (BSQ) at 3 years and with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the hyperactivity index from the Conners parent and teacher scales at 6 years. The findings indicate that the preterms manifested more behavior problems than full-terms at both ages and that the overall prevalence of clinically significant problems increased with age. Although cross-age continuity on parent rating scales was similar and modest for both groups (r = .24–.35), the persistence of significant problems was quite high (50%). Early BSQ scores predicted later externalizing problems, even after the effects of prematurity, socioeconomic status, and family stress were removed, but not later internalizing problems. The latter were more strongly influenced by low SES and family stress. Findings for the full-terms, who had received the CBCL as well as the BSQ at 3 years, suggest that these two instruments may tap somewhat different dimensions of behavior disturbance at age 3.

Type
Research Article
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , July 1992 , pp. 361 - 374
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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