Impacts of Caregiver Stress on the Receptive Language Skills of Children with Language Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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| Title: | Impacts of Caregiver Stress on the Receptive Language Skills of Children with Language Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Carrie Hutchins (ORCID |
| Source: | International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2025 60(6). |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Institutes of Health (NIH) (DHHS) |
| Contract Number: | 1RO1DC01627201A1 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | COVID-19, Pandemics, Stress Variables, Affective Behavior, Parent Child Relationship, Receptive Language, Language Skills, Language Impairments, Family Environment, Barriers, Correlation, Developmental Disabilities, Young Children |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Test of Language Development, Test of Nonverbal Intelligence |
| DOI: | 10.1111/1460-6984.70142 |
| ISSN: | 1368-2822 1460-6984 |
| Abstract: | Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which ecological factors (e.g., COVID-related caregiver stress and parental warmth) were related to the receptive language skills of children with language impairment (LI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Thirty-five children with LI receiving speech therapy within US public schools and their families participated in this study. Standardised tests of receptive language were administered to measure children's language. Caregiver questionnaires were used to collect data on familial household experiences, parental stress, and parental warmth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Children with LI and their families experienced a range of adversities during the global pandemic. The frequency of experienced adversities positively correlated with COVID-related caregiver stress levels. Regression analysis revealed that the average level of COVID-related caregiver stress was the strongest predictor of child receptive language. Finally, parental warmth was found to marginally moderate the association between COVID-related caregiver stress and receptive language. Conclusions: These findings illustrate the importance of ecological factors, namely COVID-related caregiver stress, on the receptive language skills of children with LI, particularly during times of crisis. We provide three specific considerations for future inclusive emergency response plans and current policy, particularly relevant to families of children with developmental disabilities. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1489824 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which ecological factors (e.g., COVID-related caregiver stress and parental warmth) were related to the receptive language skills of children with language impairment (LI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Thirty-five children with LI receiving speech therapy within US public schools and their families participated in this study. Standardised tests of receptive language were administered to measure children's language. Caregiver questionnaires were used to collect data on familial household experiences, parental stress, and parental warmth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Children with LI and their families experienced a range of adversities during the global pandemic. The frequency of experienced adversities positively correlated with COVID-related caregiver stress levels. Regression analysis revealed that the average level of COVID-related caregiver stress was the strongest predictor of child receptive language. Finally, parental warmth was found to marginally moderate the association between COVID-related caregiver stress and receptive language. Conclusions: These findings illustrate the importance of ecological factors, namely COVID-related caregiver stress, on the receptive language skills of children with LI, particularly during times of crisis. We provide three specific considerations for future inclusive emergency response plans and current policy, particularly relevant to families of children with developmental disabilities. |
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| ISSN: | 1368-2822 1460-6984 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/1460-6984.70142 |
