Stable associations between behavioral problems and language impairments across childhood - the importance of pragmatic language problems

Wenche Andersen Helland; Astri J Lundervold; Mikael Heimann; Maj-Britt Posserud

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2014.02.016

Stable associations between behavioral problems and language impairments across childhood - the importance of pragmatic language problems

Res Dev Disabil. 2014 May;35(5):943-51. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.02.016. Epub 2014 Mar 15.

Authors

Wenche Andersen Helland¹, Astri J Lundervold², Mikael Heimann³, Maj-Britt Posserud⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Helse Fonna HF, Stord Hospital, 5414 Stord, Norway; Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7800, 5020 Bergen, Norway; Department of Speech and Language Disorders, Statped vest, P.O. Box 6039, 5892 Bergen, Norway. Electronic address: whelland@haugnett.no.
² Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7800, 5020 Bergen, Norway; Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Uni Health; Uni Research, P. O. Box 7800, 5032 Bergen, Norway; K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Norway.
³ Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden; The Swedish Institute of Disability Research, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden.
⁴ Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Uni Health; Uni Research, P. O. Box 7800, 5032 Bergen, Norway; K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Norway.

PMID: 24642228
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.02.016

Abstract

This study investigated language function associated with behavior problems, focusing on pragmatics. Scores on the Children's Communication Checklist Second Edition (CCC-2) in a group of 40 adolescents (12-15 years) identified with externalizing behavior problems (BP) in childhood was compared to the CCC-2 scores in a typically developing comparison group (n=37). Behavioral, emotional and language problems were assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and 4 language items, when the children in the BP group were 7-9 years (T1). They were then assessed with the SDQ and the CCC-2 when they were 12-15 years (T2). The BP group obtained poorer scores on 9/10 subscales on the CCC-2, and 70% showed language impairments in the clinical range. Language, emotional and peer problems at T1 were strongly correlated with pragmatic language impairments in adolescence. The findings indicate that assessment of language, especially pragmatics, is vital for follow-up and treatment of behavioral problems in children and adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescents; Behavioral problems; CCC-2; Language impairments; Pragmatic language deficits.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Case-Control Studies
Checklist
Child
Child Behavior Disorders / psychology*
Female
Humans
Language Disorders / psychology*
Male
Nonverbal Communication / psychology
Social Behavior