Abstract
The association of behavior problems with preschool language disorders has been documented extensively. However, researchers have typically failed to differentiate subgroups of language-impaired children, to use observational data in documenting the behavior disorders, or to study children at the youngest ages. Using a multimodal assessment, this study examined parent-child interaction and behavior problems in a clearly defined subgroup of language-impaired children, those with developmental expressive language disorder (ELD). These children exhibit a delay in expressive language compared with receptive language and nonverbal cognitive skills. Subjects were identified and studied at the youngest age at which the disorder can be assessed. A group of ELD children, averaging 27 months of age, was contrasted with a group of normally developing children, matched for age, sex, and receptive language ability. Groups were compared on observed parent-child interactions as well as maternal responses on the Parenting Stress Index, the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory, and a behavior-related structured interview. ELD children, when compared with normally developing children, exhibited higher levels of negative behavior and were perceived as different by their parents.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abidin, R. (1983).Parental stress index (PSI): Clinical manual, form 6. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia.
American Psychiatric Association. (1980).Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
American Psychiatric Association. (1987).Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed.-rev.). Washington, DC: Author.
Baker, L., & Cantwell, D. P. (1982). Psychiatric disorders in children with different types of communication disorders.Journal of Communication Disorders, 15, 113–126.
Bartko, J. J. (1976). On various intraclass correlation reliability coefficients.Psychological Bulletin, 83, 762–765.
Barton, E. J., & Ascione, F. R. (1984). Direct observation. In T. H. Ollendick & M. Hersen (Eds.),Child behavior assessment: Principles and Procedures. New York: Pergamon Press.
Beitchman, J. H., Nair, R., Clegg, M., Ferguson, B., & Patel, P. G. (1986). Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children with speech and language disorders.Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 25, 528–535.
Cantwell, D. P., & Baker, L. (1980). Psychiatric and behavioral characteristics of children with communication disorders.Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 5, 161–178.
Cantwell, D., Baker, L., & Mattison, R. (1980). Psychiatric disorders in children with speech and language disorders.Child Psychiatry and Development, 12, 195–206.
Carr, E. G., & Durand, V. M. (1985). The social-communicative basis of severe behavior problems in children. In S. Reiss & R. R. Bootzin (Eds.),Theoretical issues in behavior therapy (pp. 219–254). New York: Academic Press.
Dunn, L. M., & Dunn, L. M. (1983).Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R). Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.
Eyberg, S. (1980). Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 9, 29.
Eyberg, S., & Robinson, E. (1982). Parent-child interaction training: Effects on family functioning.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 11, 130–137.
Fischel, J. E., Whitehurst, G. J., Caulfield, M. B., & DeBaryshe, B. D. (1989). Language growth in children with expressive language delay.Pediatrics.
Gardner, N. F. (1981).Expressive one-word picture vocabulary test. Novato, CA: Academic Therapy Publications.
Jenkins, S., Bax, M., & Hart, H. (1980). Behaviour problems in pre-school children.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 21, 5–17.
Leiter, R. (1976).Supplement to general instructions for the Leiter International Performance Scale. Chicago: Stoelting.
Lerner, J. A., Inui, T. S., Trupin, E. W., & Douglas, B. A. (1985). Preschool behavior can predict future psychiatric disorders.Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 24, 42–48.
Lindholm, B. W., & Touliatos, J. (1979). Behavior problems of children in regular classes and those diagnosed as requiring speech therapy.Perceptual and Motor Skills, 49, 459–463.
Mash, E. J., & Terdal, L. G. (1981). Behavioral assessment of childhood disturbances. In E. J. Mash & L. G. Terdal (Eds.),Behavioral assessment of childhood disorders. New York: Guilford Press.
Nelson, R. O., & Hayes, S. C. (1979). Some current dimensions of behavioral assessment.Behavioral Assessment, 1, 1–16.
Rescorla, L. (1984, April).Language delay in two-year-olds. Paper presented at the International Conference on Infant Studies, New York.
Richman, N., & Stevenson, J. (1977). Language delay in 3-year-olds.Acta Pediatrica Belgica, 30, 213–219.
Richman, N., Stevenson, J. E., & Graham, P. J. (1975). Prevalence of behaviour problems in 3-year-old children: An epidemiological study.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 16, 277–287.
Robinson, E. A., Eyberg, S. M., & Ross, A. W. (1980). The standardization of an inventory of child conduct problem behaviors.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 9, 22–29.
Vaughn, B., Kopp, C., & Krakow, J. (1984). The emergence and consolidation of self-control from eighteen to thirty months of age: Normative trends and individual differences.Child Development, 55, 990–1004.
Whitehurst, G. J., Fischel, J. E., Caulfield, M. B., DeBaryshe, B. D., & Valdez-Menchaca, M. C. (in press). Assessment and treatment of early expressive language delay. In P. Zelazo & R. Barr (Eds.),Challenges to developmental paradigms: Implications for theory, assessment and treatment. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Whitehurst, G. J., Fischel, J. E., Lonigan, C., DeBaryshe, B. D., Valdez-Menchaca, M. C., & Caulfield, M. B. (1988). Verbal interaction in families of normal and expressive language delayed children.Developmental Psychology, 24, 690–699.
Zelazo, P., Kearsley, R., Stiles, K., & Randolph, M. (1985, April).Parental facilitation of expressive language. Paper presented in G. J. Whitehurst (Chair),Early expressive language delay: Identification, correlates and treatment. Symposium conducted at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Toronto, Canada.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Caultield, M.B., Fischel, J.E., DeBaryshe, B.D. et al. Behavioral correlates of developmental expressive language disorder. J Abnorm Child Psychol 17, 187–201 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00913793
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00913793