Prediction of Behavioral Problems Based on Attachment Styles and Sensory Processing in Children with a History of Prematurity at Birth

Abstract

Background: Despite significant advancements in the care of premature infants, it must be acknowledged that premature infants, especially low birth weight infants, are prone to problems such as sensory, cognitive, neuro-motor, visual, and hearing problems. Their objective future difficulties are behavioral abnormalities, socio-emotional difficulties, and impaired school performance. Methods: This research aimed to predict behavioral problems based on attachment styles and sensory processing in children with a history of prematurity at birth. The research method was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of all 5 to 12-year-old children in Tehran in the year 2022; among them, 154 children aged 5 to 12 years old with a history of prematurity at birth were selected by the convenience sampling methods. Data were collected using the Sensory profile2-child, Kinship Center Attachment Questionnaire, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis.Results: The findings demonstrated a significant negative correlation between adaptive development and children's behavioral problems (r=-0.65, p<0.05). Moreover, a significant positive relationship was found between attachment styles and emotional reactivity (r=0.64, p<0.05), negative behaviors, and avoidance of attachment figure support (r=0.67, p<0.05), as well as sensory processing and behavioral problems in children with a history of prematurity at birth (r=0.67, p<0.05). Additionally, motor processing (β=0.22, p<0.05), emotional reaction (β=0.17, p<0.05), and avoidance of attachment figure support (β=0.17, p<0.29) were capable of predicting behavioral problems in children with a history of prematurity at birth. Conclusion: It was concluded that as the levels of attachment styles, emotional reactions, negative behaviors, and avoidance of attachment increase in children with a history of prematurity, their behavioral problems increase as well. Conversely, increased positive adaptive development is associated with decreased behavioral problems.

Keywords

• attachment disorder
• behavioral problems
• bonding
• premature births
• sensory processing