Preterm birth, bullying victimization, and mental health in adulthood: A prospective cohort study in Germany.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To examine the moderating and mediating roles of bullying victimization in the association between preterm birth and mental health in adulthood.

Method

As part of a prospective geographically defined longitudinal study in Germany, 260 adults born very preterm (<32 weeks of gestation) and/or with very low birth weight (birth weight < 1500 g; VP/VLBW) and 229 term-born controls were assessed at the 26-year follow-up. Bullying victimization was reported by parents at 8 and 13 years. At age 26, internalizing symptoms were reported via questionnaire by both participants and parents, and diagnoses for mood and anxiety disorders were obtained via structured interviews. Associations were analyzed using adjusted negative binomial regression and robust Poisson regression mo

SUBMITTER: Ni Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12573058 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature