Meta-analysis reveals low language capacity in childhood is associated with mental health problems in adulthood

IF 1.5 3区医学 Q2 AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders Pub Date : 2024-10-19 DOI:10.1111/1460-6984.13125

Shelby W. Y. Lim, Jarrad A. G. Lum

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Children and adolescents with language problems have poorer mental health compared with their non-language impaired peers. Less is known about mental health in adults with a history of language problems. This paper presents a systematic review and meta-analysis that addresses this gap in the literature. Specifically, it summarises the results from studies examining anxiety and depression in adults (aged 18 years and over) who were identified with language impairments or problems earlier in development.

Methods & Procedures

Five electronic databases (PsycINFO, ERIC, CINAHL, EMBASE and PubMed) were searched for studies comparing anxiety and/or depression in a sample of adults with and without a history of language problems. Nine studies were found that met the inclusion criteria. From each, an odds ratio (OR) was computed measuring the relationship between childhood language problems and anxiety or depression in adulthood. The OR was computed so values > 1 which indicated anxiety/depression were associated with a history of language problems. ORs were averaged using multilevel random effects meta-analysis.

Outcomes & Results

Averaging the study's findings across both anxiety and depression outcomes, we found that a history of childhood language problems was associated with poorer mental health in adulthood (OR = 1.79, p = 0.004). The association for anxiety was also significant (OR = 1.80, p = 0.012) and close to statistical significance for depression (OR = 1.60, p = 0.054).

Conclusions & Implications

This review reveals that adults with a history of language problems are more likely to experience poorer mental health outcomes compared with controls. These findings demonstrate childhood language problems affect not only communication but also mental health and well-being in the long term.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on the subject

Prior research examining mental health in children and adolescents with language problems reveals a twofold increased risk of internalising problems, including anxiety and depression. However, little is known about mental health outcomes in adults with a history of language problems.

What this paper adds to the existing knowledge

The main finding was that childhood language problems are associated with increased risk of anxiety and depression in adulthood.

What are the practical and clinical implications of this work?

First, the study demonstrates childhood language problems increase the risk of poor mental health in adulthood. Second, in adult mental health settings there is a need to screen for language problems and, where applicable, adjust interventions to accommodate communicative needs for patients/clients. Solving these issues requires integration and recognition of the importance of speech–language therapy in the adult mental health system.

Abstract Image

查看原文本刊更多论文

元分析显示，儿童时期语言能力低下与成年后的心理健康问题有关。

背景：与没有语言障碍的同龄人相比，有语言问题的儿童和青少年的心理健康状况较差。人们对有语言障碍的成年人的心理健康状况知之甚少。本文针对这一文献空白进行了系统回顾和荟萃分析。具体而言，它总结了对在发育早期被发现有语言障碍或问题的成年人（18 岁及以上）的焦虑和抑郁情况进行研究的结果：我们在五个电子数据库（PsycINFO、ERIC、CINAHL、EMBASE 和 PubMed）中搜索了有语言问题和没有语言问题的成年人样本，比较他们的焦虑和/或抑郁情况。结果发现有九项研究符合纳入标准。每项研究都计算了衡量童年语言问题与成年后焦虑或抑郁之间关系的几率比（OR）。计算出的 OR 值>1，表示焦虑/抑郁与语言问题史有关。采用多层次随机效应荟萃分析法对 OR 进行平均：通过对焦虑和抑郁结果的平均分析，我们发现童年语言问题史与成年后较差的心理健康状况有关（OR = 1.79，p = 0.004）。焦虑的相关性也很显著（OR = 1.80，p = 0.012），抑郁的相关性接近统计学意义（OR = 1.60，p = 0.054）：本综述显示，与对照组相比，有语言问题史的成年人更有可能出现较差的心理健康结果。这些研究结果表明，童年时期的语言问题不仅会影响沟通，还会长期影响心理健康和幸福感：对这一主题已有的了解对有语言问题的儿童和青少年的心理健康进行的先前研究显示，出现内化问题（包括焦虑和抑郁）的风险增加了两倍。然而，人们对有语言问题史的成年人的心理健康结果却知之甚少。本文对现有知识的补充主要发现是儿童时期的语言问题与成年后焦虑和抑郁风险的增加有关。这项工作有哪些实际和临床意义？首先，这项研究表明，童年时期的语言问题会增加成年后心理健康状况不佳的风险。其次，在成人心理健康环境中，有必要对语言问题进行筛查，并酌情调整干预措施，以满足患者/客户的沟通需求。要解决这些问题，需要整合并认识到言语治疗在成人心理健康系统中的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY-REHABILITATION

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

12.50%

发文量

116

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders (IJLCD) is the official journal of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists. The Journal welcomes submissions on all aspects of speech, language, communication disorders and speech and language therapy. It provides a forum for the exchange of information and discussion of issues of clinical or theoretical relevance in the above areas.