Language Impairment in looked after and adopted children - V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Language Impairment in Looked After and Adopted Children
IRAS ID
258315
Contact name
David McCormack
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queens University, Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 28 days
Research summary
Research Summary:
The language and communication needs of looked after and adopted children are poorly understood within the literature and there is a paucity of research in this area. Understanding these needs is important in the ongoing development of best practice within the population. The proposed study will explore potential language impairment in a LAAC sample, and variables which may impact language impairment - trauma experiences and emotional and behavioural difficulties.The study employs a between subjects design, using quantitative data. Participants are the carers/adoptive parents of young people known to SHSCT LAAC service aged between 4 and 16 years who do not have a diagnosed learning disability and with the ability to speak sufficient English to complete the measures. Additionally, the social workers of these individuals are also asked to participate. Participants will be recruited from the service through advertisements in the clinic, at training and groups. Clients’ social workers are also encouraged to advise all clients on their caseload that fulfil this criteria during one of their regular reviews.
Participants will be asked to complete 2 separate carer-report measures relating to language and communication needs (Children’s Communication Checklist-2) and emotional and behavioural Difficulties (Assessment Checklist for Children (age 4 to 11) or Assessment Checklist for Adolescents (age 12-16), with the appointment lasting 30 minutes. Social workers are asked to complete a trauma experience measure (Adverse Childhood Experiences). All measures are standardised and are demonstrated to be reliable and valid with children and young people populations. Social workers will also be asked to complete a demographic form detailing additional relevant information. Language and communication scores will be analysed via one way t test and a mediation analysis conducted in relation to the impact of trauma experience and emotional and behavioural difficulties on language impairment.
Summary of research:
Lay summary of study results: The study explored the language and communication needs of looked after and adopted children and young people (LLACYP), factors related to the experience of care which contribute to language needs and the possible mediating influence of mental health difficulties on the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and language. Results indicated that, based on UK norms, the performance of 68% of the children sampled was consistent with the lowest 10% of the general population for language and communication ability. Similar levels of severity were found for both structural and pragmatic abilities. Language and communication difficulties were associated with older children, later age of entry into care and placement type (foster care vs. adoption) but not placement disruption. A significant relationship was found between mental health and language difficulty, but no link was established with ACEs.REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
19/NI/0124
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion