Relationships between concurrent language ability and mental health outcomes in a South African sample of 13-year-olds
Date
2019-09-05
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Abstract
Children and adolescents with delayed or disordered language development are at increased risk of a number of negative outcomes, including social and emotional problems and mental health difficulties. Yet, in low- and middle- income countries, where risk factors for compromised language development are known to be prevalent, there is a lack of research on the association between child and adolescent language ability and mental health outcomes. This study evaluates data from a cross-sectional study in Khayelitsha, a semi-urban impoverished community near Cape Town, South Africa. To measure language ability, behaviour and mental health, adolescents aged 13 (n = 200) were assessed using the Riddles subtest of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children Version 2, the parent report Child Behaviour Checklist, and the self-report Moods and Feelings Questionnaire and the Self-Esteem Questionnaire. We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses to determine associations between language skills, self-esteem and mental health in this group of adolescents. Poor language ability was related to a range of concurrent adverse difficulties, such as attention deficits, self-esteem problems, social withdrawal, and depressive symptoms. Increased levels of language ability were related to better psychosocial profiles. In some cases, only individuals with a low level of language (bottom 10% of sample) were at increased risk of maladaptive outcomes. This study replicates the well-established relationship between language ability and poorer mental health found within high income countries in an upper middle-income country setting. Locally accessible support for children with reduced language ability is required, given the longer-term consequences of poorer mental health.
Description
CITATION: St Clair, M. C., et al. 2019. Relationships between concurrent language ability and mental health outcomes in a South African sample of 13-year-olds. PLoS ONE, 14(9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0221242
The original publication is available at https://journals.plos.org/plosone/
The original publication is available at https://journals.plos.org/plosone/
Keywords
Mental health -- Primary school children -- South Africa, Language acquisition -- Children -- Psychological aspects, Language and emotions -- Primary school children -- South Africa, Language and emotions -- Social aspects -- South Africa
Citation
St Clair, M. C., et al. 2019. Relationships between concurrent language ability and mental health outcomes in a South African sample of 13-year-olds. PLoS ONE, 14(9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0221242