Beyond biology: psychosocial and cultural determinants of development in moderate-to-late preterm infants - a scoping review

Moderate-to-late preterm (MLP; 32–36 +6 weeks) infants comprise over 80% of preterm births and face elevated developmental risk, yet are often managed as term equivalents post-discharge. While biological risks are well documented, psychosocial and cultural influences remain less clearly synthesised. This scoping review mapped evidence on psychosocial and cultural factors associated with developmental outcomes in MLP populations. Following Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, four databases were searched in August 2024, with 43 studies included. Socioeconomic disadvantage, parental psychological distress, and family contextual risk were frequently associated with poorer outcomes, while higher-quality caregiving and enriched environments were associated with more favourable development. Cultural factors were underrepresented and typically operationalised using demographic proxies. Psychosocial and cultural factors were generally examined as covariates, with limited evidence that associations differed across gestational age groups. Overall, these findings highlight potentially important relational and sociocultural contexts associated with developmental variability in MLP populations.