Date of Award

1-1-2013

Language

English

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

College/School/Department

Department of Psychology

Program

Clinical Psychology

Content Description

1 online resource (ii, 57 pages)

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Leslie Halpern

Committee Members

Allen Israel

Keywords

Development, Temperament, Premature infants, Temperament in children, Child psychopathology, Behavioral assessment of children

Subject Categories

Psychology

Abstract

The survival rates of preterm children have improved dramatically since the advent of new technologies and medical treatments. However, the long term behavioral implications of preterm birth are still being investigated. The current study sought to explore the relationships between birth status (preterm or full term), temperament, and psychopathology. A sample of preterm children and their parents, as well as a sample of age-matched controls and their parents, were recruited for participation in this study. The former group was recruited for participation through a local hospital while the latter group was recruited through flyer distributions in several local school districts. Analyses indicated that effortful control (EC) and negative affectivity (NA) serve as important factors to consider when conceptualizing why preterm children are at heightened risk for psychopathology. The results of this study pave the way for continued investigations into the pathways through which temperament profiles may affect risk for psychopathology in vulnerable populations.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS