Perinatal stress moderates the link between early and later emotional skills in very preterm-born children: An 11-year-long longitudinal study

Although prematurity affects the emotional abilities of preadolescents, the link between emotional skills in early and later childhood is moderated by the severity of perinatal stress. In particular, VPT children who are born with more complications, and as such experience a more stressful perinatal environment, are more likely to show emotional difficulties at preadolescence.