Memory Abilities and Vocabulary Knowledge in Catalan-Spanish Children with Developmental Language Disorder

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Memory Abilities and Vocabulary Knowledge in Catalan-Spanish Children with Developmental Language Disorder
Language: English
Authors: Nadia Ahufinger (ORCID 0000-0003-2029-4475), Laura Ferinu, Mònica Sanz-Torrent, Gary Morgan, Llorenç Andreu
Source: Topics in Language Disorders. 2025 45(4):312-333.
Availability: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Available from: Wolters Kluwer. 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Tel: 800-638-3030; e-mail: MR-WKCustomerSupport@wolterskluwer.com; Web site: https://journals.lww.com/pages/default.aspx
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Memory, Bilingualism, Young Children, Developmental Delays, Language Impairments, Expressive Language, Receptive Language, Vocabulary, Recall (Psychology), Short Term Memory, Predictor Variables, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Spain
DOI: 10.1097/TLD.0000000000000375
ISSN: 0271-8294
1550-3259
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the memory abilities of bilingual children with and without developmental language disorder (DLD). We compare groups across short-term, working memory, and declarative long-term systems in the verbal and nonverbal domains. The study also analyzes how memory abilities are related to children's expressive and receptive vocabulary knowledge. Forty-eight Catalan-Spanish children with DLD (mean age = 8.10 years) and 57 typically developing (TD) controls (mean age = 9.1 years) participated in the study. A variety of memory tests were administered to assess components of verbal and nonverbal working and declarative (episodic and semantic) memory. Children with DLD were significantly less accurate than TD children at performing all short-term and working memory tasks. Group differences in verbal declarative memory disappeared when short-term/working memory was controlled for. With nonverbal declarative memory, group differences were found in immediate and delayed recall recognition even after nonverbal working memory was controlled for. Working and declarative memory scores were significant predictors of children's expressive and receptive vocabulary knowledge. The findings of this study show that language difficulties in children with DLD have various relationships with different memory abilities. Clinical implications are also discussed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1487987
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The purpose of this study was to examine the memory abilities of bilingual children with and without developmental language disorder (DLD). We compare groups across short-term, working memory, and declarative long-term systems in the verbal and nonverbal domains. The study also analyzes how memory abilities are related to children's expressive and receptive vocabulary knowledge. Forty-eight Catalan-Spanish children with DLD (mean age = 8.10 years) and 57 typically developing (TD) controls (mean age = 9.1 years) participated in the study. A variety of memory tests were administered to assess components of verbal and nonverbal working and declarative (episodic and semantic) memory. Children with DLD were significantly less accurate than TD children at performing all short-term and working memory tasks. Group differences in verbal declarative memory disappeared when short-term/working memory was controlled for. With nonverbal declarative memory, group differences were found in immediate and delayed recall recognition even after nonverbal working memory was controlled for. Working and declarative memory scores were significant predictors of children's expressive and receptive vocabulary knowledge. The findings of this study show that language difficulties in children with DLD have various relationships with different memory abilities. Clinical implications are also discussed.
ISSN:0271-8294
1550-3259
DOI:10.1097/TLD.0000000000000375