ERIC Number: EJ1489824
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Nov
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1368-2822
EISSN: EISSN-1460-6984
Available Date: 2025-10-15
Impacts of Caregiver Stress on the Receptive Language Skills of Children with Language Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Carrie Hutchins1,2; Sonali Poudel1,3; Sherine Tambyraja4; Mary Beth Schmitt1
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, v60 n6 e70142 2025
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.
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
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.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Test of Language Development; Test of Nonverbal Intelligence
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1RO1DC01627201A1
Author Affiliations: 1Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA; 2Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Washington, USA; 3Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Indiana, USA; 4Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Columbus, Ohio, USA

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