PLoS ONE (Jan 2021)

Optimism in adults born preterm: Systematic review and individual-participant-data meta-analysis.

  • Rachel K Robinson,
  • Kati Heinonen,
  • Polina Girchenko,
  • Marius Lahti-Pulkkinen,
  • Eero Kajantie,
  • Petteri Hovi,
  • Aulikki Lano,
  • Sture Andersson,
  • Johan G Eriksson,
  • Dieter Wolke,
  • Sakari Lemola,
  • Katri Räikkönen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259463
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 11
p. e0259463

Abstract

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AimPreterm birth(MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed and Web of Science for cohort or case-control studies(born ≥ 1970) with data on gestational age and optimism/pessimism reported using the Life-Orientation-Test-Revised in adulthood(≥18 years). The three identified studies(Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults; Arvo Ylppö Longitudinal Study; Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) provided data for the two-step random-effects linear regression Individual-Participant-Data meta-analysis.ResultsPreterm and term borns did not differ on optimism(p = 0.76). Preterms scored higher on pessimism than term borns(Mean difference = 0.35, 95%Confidence Interval 0.36, 0.60, p = 0.007), although not after full adjustment. Preterm born participants, but not term born participants, with higher birth weight z-score, had higher optimism scores (0.30 raw score units per standard deviation increase, 95% CI 0.10, 0.49, p = 0.003); preterm vs term x birth weight z-score interaction p = 0.004).ConclusionsPreterm and term born adults display similar optimism. In preterms, higher birth weight may foster developmental trajectories promoting more optimistic life orientations.