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

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 ۵ to ۱۲-year-old children in Tehran in the year ۲۰۲۲; among them, ۱۵۴ children aged ۵ to ۱۲ years old with a history of prematurity at birth were selected by the convenience sampling methods. Data were collected using the Sensory profile۲-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=-۰.۶۵, p<۰.۰۵). Moreover, a significant positive relationship was found between attachment styles and emotional reactivity (r=۰.۶۴, p<۰.۰۵), negative behaviors, and avoidance of attachment figure support (r=۰.۶۷, p<۰.۰۵), as well as sensory processing and behavioral problems in children with a history of prematurity at birth (r=۰.۶۷, p<۰.۰۵). Additionally, motor processing (β=۰.۲۲, p<۰.۰۵), emotional reaction (β=۰.۱۷, p<۰.۰۵), and avoidance of attachment figure support (β=۰.۱۷, p<۰.۲۹) 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.

کلیدواژه ها:

Attachment Disorder ، Behavioral Problems ، bonding ، Premature Births ، Sensory processing