ABSTRACT

Children facing adversity are at greater risk of experiencing language difficulties than their peers. This study aims to examine the association between specific maternal responsive behaviours at 24 months and language outcomes at the age of 5 years in a cohort of mothers and children facing adversity. Mother–child dyads (n = 138) facing adversity were observed and videoed at home at 24 months in mother–child free play. Four maternal responsive behaviours were coded from these videos: imitations, responsive questions, labels, and expansions. Child language was assessed using the CELF-4 at the age of 5 years. Linear regression was used to examine associations, in both adjusted and unadjusted models. In unadjusted models, imitations, responsive questions, and labels predicted better child language scores at age 5. Imitations continued to positively predict language scores after adjusting for confounding factors, including earlier communication skills. Findings demonstrate the importance of considering maternal responsive behaviours with respect to stages of child development.

摘要

与同龄人相比，面临逆境的儿童更容易遇到语言困难。本研究旨在检验一组面临逆境的母亲和儿童在 24 个月时特定的母亲反应行为与 5 岁时语言结果之间的关联。母子二人组 ( n = 138) 在 24 个月大的母子自由游戏中，在家中观察并记录了面临逆境的情况。从这些视频中编码了四种母性反应行为：模仿、反应性问题、标签和扩展。在 5 岁时使用 CELF-4 评估儿童语言。线性回归用于检查调整和未调整模型中的关联。在未经调整的模型中，模仿、响应性问题和标签预测 5 岁时儿童的语言成绩更好。在调整混杂因素（包括早期沟通技巧）后，模仿继续积极预测语言成绩。研究结果表明，在儿童发育阶段考虑母性反应行为的重要性。