The effect of very preterm birth on the Five-Factor Model of personality traits: A meta-analysis of individual participant data

There is mixed evidence on personality differences among those born very preterm or withvery low birth weight (VP/VLBW). This meta-analysis of individual participant data aimedto examine differences  in personality traits between VP/VLBW (n=568) and term-born(n=1,060) adults, and the role of neonatal characteristics and neurosensory impairments inchildhood, which have not been previously investigated. Six studies were identified from tworesearch consortia and a systematic search of the literature (PubMed and Scopus); studieswere eligible if they included VP/VLBW and term-born adults followed from birth andassessed personality using the Five-Factor Model. Risk of bias (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) wasgenerally not a concern apart from the use of self-reported measures and the rate of follow-up. Using a one-stage approach, VP/VLBW scored lower on extraversion and openness, andhigher on neuroticism and agreeableness than term-born participants after adjusting for sexand parental education. Within the VP/VLBW group, those with bronchopulmonary dysplasiascored lower on extraversion and higher on neuroticism, with similar findings after removingparticipants   with   neurosensory   impairments.   Altogether,   these   findings   suggest   that   aproportion of the effect of VP/VLBW birth on personality may be attributed to neonatalmorbidities and altered brain development, although other confounding factors require furtherresearch.