Language Delay in Severely Neglected Children: A Cumulative or Specific Effect of Risk Factors?

• NCJ Number: 231246
• Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 34 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2010 Pages: 414-428
• Author(s): Audette Sylvestre; Chantal Merette
• Date Published: June 2010
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether language delay (LD) of severely neglected children of less than 3 years old was better explained by a cumulative risk model or by the specificity of risk factors.

Abstract

Study findings indicate that language development is the result of a complex interaction between risk factors. Language delay (LD) in severely neglected children in better explained by the specificity of risk factors than by the cumulative risk model. The purpose of this study was to determine if the LD of severely neglected children under 3 years of age was better explained by a cumulative risk model or by the specificity of risk factors. It sought to identify the risk factors with the strongest impact on LD among various biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Study participants consisted of 68 severely neglected children and their mothers. Tables and references