University of Louisville
Attention Networks and Parental Report of Behavioral Problems in Children Born Prematurely
Institution
University of Louisville
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Deborah Davis
Abstract
Children born prematurely, especially those born of very low birth weight (VLBW) are at risk for many deficits impacting their academic success. Attention problems are one area frequently reported. Although it is known that VLBW children have many adverse outcomes related to attention, little is understood about the underlying mechanisms. Posner and Peterson (1990) have identified three specific attention networks (alerting, orienting, and executive control) in normally developing children. The identification of these networks has potential for contributing to our understanding of individual differences in developmental outcomes of VLBW children, especially those outcomes related to attention. To date Posner and Peterson’s model of attention networks has not been used in the study of VLBW children. Therefore this exploratory study will describe how VLBW children perform on measures of 3 specific attention networks and examine the relation between parental reports of children’s behavior problems and performance on each attention network. The sample consists of 65 children who weighed < 1500 grams at birth and who are now 4-5 years old. Three computerized attention games designed for this purpose (Berger, Jones, Rothbart, & Posner, 2000) were used to assess the 3 attention networks. Behavior problems were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Data coding is in progress. Descriptive and correlation analyses will be reported. Because of the exploratory nature of these data, we cannot predict how the measures will relate or how the children will perform on measures for each attention network.
Attention Networks and Parental Report of Behavioral Problems in Children Born Prematurely
Children born prematurely, especially those born of very low birth weight (VLBW) are at risk for many deficits impacting their academic success. Attention problems are one area frequently reported. Although it is known that VLBW children have many adverse outcomes related to attention, little is understood about the underlying mechanisms. Posner and Peterson (1990) have identified three specific attention networks (alerting, orienting, and executive control) in normally developing children. The identification of these networks has potential for contributing to our understanding of individual differences in developmental outcomes of VLBW children, especially those outcomes related to attention. To date Posner and Peterson’s model of attention networks has not been used in the study of VLBW children. Therefore this exploratory study will describe how VLBW children perform on measures of 3 specific attention networks and examine the relation between parental reports of children’s behavior problems and performance on each attention network. The sample consists of 65 children who weighed < 1500 grams at birth and who are now 4-5 years old. Three computerized attention games designed for this purpose (Berger, Jones, Rothbart, & Posner, 2000) were used to assess the 3 attention networks. Behavior problems were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Data coding is in progress. Descriptive and correlation analyses will be reported. Because of the exploratory nature of these data, we cannot predict how the measures will relate or how the children will perform on measures for each attention network.