LAUSR

Key Points Question Does supportive parenting ameliorate the association between neonatal pain-related stress and child internalizing behaviors in children born very preterm? Findings In this cohort study of 186 children born very preterm, internalizing behaviors increased across ages 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 8.0 years, and more neonatal pain-related stress was associated with greater internalizing behaviors across ages. At 1.5 years, parenting stress was associated with more internalizing behaviors, whereas at age 3.0 years, a more supportive parenting environment was associated with fewer internalizing behaviors across development. Meaning These findings suggest that supportive parenting is associated with reduced child anxiety and depressive behaviors from toddlerhood through school-age in children born very preterm.