Close relationships in adolescents with and without a history of specific language impairment

Wadman, R.; Durkin, R.; Conti-Ramsden, G.

Abstract

Purpose Engagement in close friendships and romantic relationships becomes particularly salient in adolescence. This study examined the influence of language, behavioral, and social variables on the level of emotional engagement experienced by adolescents with and without a history of specific language impairment (SLI). Method Ninety adolescents with SLI and 91 adolescents with typical language abilities (TD) completed two assessment sessions between the ages of 16 and 17. Results The group with SLI had significantly lower emotional engagement scores than the TD group. Some 24% of adolescents with a history of SLI were judged to have poor emotional engagement in close relationships, compared to only 2% of the TD adolescents. A regression analysis found that language ability, prosocial behavior, and shyness were concurrently predictive of level of emotional engagement in close relationships. Conclusion Some adolescents with SLI may be less emotionally engaged in their close relationships than their TD peers.

Citation

Wadman, R., Durkin, R., & Conti-Ramsden, G. (2011). Close relationships in adolescents with and without a history of specific language impairment. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 42(1), 41-51. https://doi.org/10.1044/0161-1461%282010/10-0003%29

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Jan 18, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 14, 2016
• Journal: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools
• Print ISSN: 0161-1461
• Electronic ISSN: 1558-9129
• Publisher: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 41-51
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1044/0161-1461%282010/10-0003%29
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1414737