Gratitude, fragility and strength: Perspectives of adults born preterm about prematurity

• DOI: 10.1111/apa.16779
• Publication Date: 2023-03-31T01:09:25Z
• Authors: Camille Girard‐Bock; Thuy Mai Luu; Claude Julie Bourque; Anne Monique Nuyt; Keith J. Barrington; Annie Janvier
• Keywords: Gratitude

The aim of the study was to explore how young adults thought that being born preterm had affected their lives.Adult participants a research cohort were questioned about perspectives. Answers analysed using mixed methods.Forty-five evaluated health at median score 8/10. When asked meaning preterm, 65% positive self-centred answers, invoking two main themes: stronger/'a fighter'/more resilient and survivor/chosen; 42% also reported negative themes, such as having problems difficult start. All heard prematurity from parents, 55% with child-centred or healthcare system-centred 19% neutral themes; 35% parent-centred themes (tragic experience, guilt, mother's health). which words associated prematurity, mainly chose for themselves family, but more media society depicted prematurity. not correlated adverse objective measures.Participants in balanced fashion. Preterm-born often feel they have experienced transformations result traumatic They feelings gratitude strength, independent problems.