Cognitive predictors of parent-rated inattention in very preterm children: the role of working memory and processing speed
Background: Inattention is one of the most common neurobehavioural problems following very preterm birth. Attention problems can persist into adulthood and are associated with negative socio-emotional and educational outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether the cognitive processes associated...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis
2018
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/54011/ |
| _version_ | 1848799008768655360 |
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| author | Retzler, Jenny Johnson, Samantha Groom, Madeleine Hollis, Chris Budge, Helen Cragg, Lucy |
| author_facet | Retzler, Jenny Johnson, Samantha Groom, Madeleine Hollis, Chris Budge, Helen Cragg, Lucy |
| author_sort | Retzler, Jenny |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background: Inattention is one of the most common neurobehavioural problems following very preterm birth. Attention problems can persist into adulthood and are associated with negative socio-emotional and educational outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether the cognitive processes associated with inattention differ between term-born and very preterm children. Methods: Sixty-five children born very preterm (less 33+0 weeks’ gestation) aged 8-11 years were recruited alongside 48 term-born controls (≥37+0 weeks’ gestation). Both groups included children with a wide spectrum of parent-rated inattention (above average attention to severe inattention) measured as a continuous dimension using the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD and Normal-behaviour (SWAN) scale. Children completed tests to assess basic cognitive processes and executive function. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was implemented to assess which neurocognitive processes explained variance in parent-rated inattention and whether these differed between preterm and term-born children.
Results: In both groups, poorer verbal and visuospatial short-term memory, and poorer visuospatial working memory independently explained variance in parent-rated inattention. Slower motor processing speed explained variance in inattention among very preterm children only. Conclusions: The cognitive mechanisms associated with parent-rated inattention were predominantly overlapping between groups, but relationships between motor processing speed and inattention were unique to very preterm children. These associations may reflect risk factors for inattention in term and very preterm children. Future research should assess the efficacy of these cognitive processes as potential targets for intervention. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:28:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-54011 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:28:50Z |
| publishDate | 2018 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis |
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| spelling | nottingham-540112019-09-19T04:30:17Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/54011/ Cognitive predictors of parent-rated inattention in very preterm children: the role of working memory and processing speed Retzler, Jenny Johnson, Samantha Groom, Madeleine Hollis, Chris Budge, Helen Cragg, Lucy Background: Inattention is one of the most common neurobehavioural problems following very preterm birth. Attention problems can persist into adulthood and are associated with negative socio-emotional and educational outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether the cognitive processes associated with inattention differ between term-born and very preterm children. Methods: Sixty-five children born very preterm (less 33+0 weeks’ gestation) aged 8-11 years were recruited alongside 48 term-born controls (≥37+0 weeks’ gestation). Both groups included children with a wide spectrum of parent-rated inattention (above average attention to severe inattention) measured as a continuous dimension using the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD and Normal-behaviour (SWAN) scale. Children completed tests to assess basic cognitive processes and executive function. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was implemented to assess which neurocognitive processes explained variance in parent-rated inattention and whether these differed between preterm and term-born children. Results: In both groups, poorer verbal and visuospatial short-term memory, and poorer visuospatial working memory independently explained variance in parent-rated inattention. Slower motor processing speed explained variance in inattention among very preterm children only. Conclusions: The cognitive mechanisms associated with parent-rated inattention were predominantly overlapping between groups, but relationships between motor processing speed and inattention were unique to very preterm children. These associations may reflect risk factors for inattention in term and very preterm children. Future research should assess the efficacy of these cognitive processes as potential targets for intervention. Taylor & Francis 2018-09-19 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/54011/1/RetzlerEtAl_CognitivePredictorsPaper_CN_AuthorAccepted1%20%281%29.pdf Retzler, Jenny, Johnson, Samantha, Groom, Madeleine, Hollis, Chris, Budge, Helen and Cragg, Lucy (2018) Cognitive predictors of parent-rated inattention in very preterm children: the role of working memory and processing speed. Child Neuropsychology . ISSN 0929-7049 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09297049.2018.1510908 doi:10.1080/09297049.2018.1510908 doi:10.1080/09297049.2018.1510908 |
| spellingShingle | Retzler, Jenny Johnson, Samantha Groom, Madeleine Hollis, Chris Budge, Helen Cragg, Lucy Cognitive predictors of parent-rated inattention in very preterm children: the role of working memory and processing speed |
| title | Cognitive predictors of parent-rated inattention in very preterm children: the role of working memory and processing speed |
| title_full | Cognitive predictors of parent-rated inattention in very preterm children: the role of working memory and processing speed |
| title_fullStr | Cognitive predictors of parent-rated inattention in very preterm children: the role of working memory and processing speed |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cognitive predictors of parent-rated inattention in very preterm children: the role of working memory and processing speed |
| title_short | Cognitive predictors of parent-rated inattention in very preterm children: the role of working memory and processing speed |
| title_sort | cognitive predictors of parent-rated inattention in very preterm children: the role of working memory and processing speed |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/54011/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/54011/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/54011/ |