Friendships of children with DLD, version 1.2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Playing together: Peer relations and wellbeing of children with developmental language disorder
IRAS ID
258710
Contact name
Jenny Gibson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 29 days
Research summary
The study investigates peer relations and wellbeing of children with developmental language disorder (DLD). Through a series of case studies, it aims to understand what influences the friendships of children with DLD and what role their wellbeing plays. Friendships act as a protective factor of one’s wellbeing and promote social integration, feelings of being cared about and supported by others (Ryff, 1989, Seligman, 2011). On the other hand, those who experience good wellbeing incline to connect socially, create new and develop more profound friendships (Frederickson, 1998). Therefore, understanding the specifics of wellbeing and friendships of children with DLD will reveal areas that may need attention in order to enhance their experiences in school.\n\nOnly one qualitative study in the UK engaged 9-12-year-old children with DLD in qualitative interviews (Lyons & Roulstone, 2017). The proposed study targets children with DLD at 6-10 years of age - a critical period for friendship development. Data will be collected through parental and teacher questionnaires and predominantly in schools through classroom observations and 4-6 one-to-one meetings (approx 20 mins each) with children. In one-to-one meetings, children will be invited to participate in age-appropriate activities, which have been used with children many times before and they usually enjoy doing them very much. They involve talking, listening to stories about their feelings about friends and about school, and, drawing and describing pictures. Children will also be observed in a free play activity with a classmate. \n\nPrevious research with children with DLD is mostly based on teacher and parental reports. Therefore, this study aims to fill in the research gap in our understanding of patient experience by inviting young children to participate and giving them the forum to express their understanding and experiences of friendship. The role of wellbeing in friendships experiences of children with DLD will be explored as well.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0103
Date of REC Opinion
3 May 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion