Negative affectivity moderated by preterm birth predicted toddlers' behavior problems.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the predictive effect of temperament moderated by preterm childbirth on behavioral problems in toddlerhood.

Method: The sample comprised 100 toddlers of 18-36 months of chronological age and their mothers. They were divided into two groups: 50 toddlers born preterm and admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PT group), and 50 toddlers born full-term (FT group) and recruited from day-care centers.