Abstract
Objective: To investigate positive health perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic of adolescents born preterm (<37 weeks' gestation).
Study design: The study population included 4093 mother-child dyads from 38 pediatric cohort sites. The study used generalized estimating equations to evaluate positive health among adolescents born preterm versus term while controlling for age and date of questionnaire completion, child sex, maternal education, and site.
Results: 691 individuals born preterm were compared with 3402 individuals born term. In adjusted analyses, adolescents born <28 weeks' gestation (n = 359) had higher life satisfaction (beta = 2.95, 95% CI: 2.46, 3.44) and meaning and purpose (beta = 2.26, 95% CI 0.73, 3.79) scores than those born at term.
Conclusion: During the pandemic, adolescents born <28 weeks had a more positive outlook on their well-being than their term-born peers. Confirming findings and uncovering supportive factors that augment positive health perceptions may optimize long-term health and resiliency.