Parenting, stress, and child perception in parents of prematurely born children

The number of children born preterm and/or with a low birthweight, that -
despite their rough start in life - survive the neonatal period, is
increasing. Scientific research has shown that parents of preterm infants can
experience parenting difficulties. An important question in this respect is
whether these difficulties correlate (partly) to the preterm birth of the child.

Little is known about parenting behaviour of parents of children born preterm.
Little research has been done on correlations between neonatal medical risk and
parenting stress. Stress related to the neonatal period, experienced in
retrospect, may influence parenting style and parenting stress as well.

Most studies regarding preterm birth and parenting concern young children (up
to the age of 4). Little is known about the impact of factors related to
preterm birth on parenting at a later age. Many studies look at mothers only,
while fathers play an important role in the upbringing of children.

The aim of this study is to describe and learn more about parenting attitudes,
laxness and overreactivity, the ability to set limits and parenting stress in
fathers and mothers of children born preterm at the age of 5 to 7. Hypotheses
will be tested regarding the associations between birth weight, gestational
age, medical complications, stress related to the neonatal period, experienced
in retrospect, current physical condition and perception of child vulnerability
on one hand and regarding parenting attitudes, laxness and overreactivity, the
ability to set limits and parenting stress on the other hand.

Independent of each other and in the privacy of their own home, parents fill in
several questionnaires. They will receive these questionnaires by mail. The
following aspects are subject to research: attitude towards parenting, the
ability to set limits, parenting stress, child's current physical condition,
perception child vulnerability and stress related to the neonatal period,
experienced in retrospect. Certain data related to the child's birth (e.g.
weight, gestational age, complications) will be used. Data will be analysed by
means of descriptive statistics, correlational analyses and regression
analyses.

On a one time only basis, parents are asked to fill out seven questionnaires.
This will take them approximately 45 - 60 minutes in total. A detailed
description (in Dutch) of the questionnaires can be found on page 8 of the
research protocol. Researchers are of the opinion that taking part in this
study holds no risk to the participants.