A Common Family Factor Underlying Language Difficulties and Internalizing Problems: Findings From a Population-Based Sibling Study
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Click to EnlargeThe Common Family Factor:
- Co-occurrence Unexplained by Family Factor: 31%
- Co-occurrence Explained by Family Factor: 69%
Language difficulties and internalizing problems, such as anxiety and depression, often co-occur in children, but it is not known why.
This Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) followed Norwegian siblings from age 5 to 8.
The co-occurrence of language difficulties and internalizing problems is mainly due to family factors (e.g., genetics, shared environment) as opposed to non-familial factors.
The degree to which family factors contributed to language difficulties and internalizing problems did not change from age 5 to age 8.
Suggested Citation
National Center on Improving Literacy (2023). A Common Family Factor Underlying Language Difficulties and Internalizing Problems: Findings From a Population-Based Sibling Study. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Special Education Programs, National Center on Improving Literacy. Retrieved from http://improvingliteracy.org.
References
Helland, S.S., Roysamb, E., Brandlistuen, R.E., Melby-Lervag, M., & Gustavson, K. (2020).
A common family factor underlying language difficulties and internalizing problems: Findings from a population-based sibling study. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 53(5), 399-409. DOI: 10.1177/0022219420911634
Abstract
Language difficulties and internalizing problems, such as anxiety and depression, often co-occur in children, but it is not known why. This study looked at data from Norwegian siblings aged 5 to 8 years old and found that this co-occurrence is mainly due to family factors (e.g., genetics, shared environment).
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The research reported here is funded by awards to the National Center on Improving Literacy from the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, in partnership with the Office of Special Education Programs (Award #: S283D160003). The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent views of OESE, OSEP, or the U.S. Department of Education. Copyright © 2023 National Center on Improving Literacy. https://improvingliteracy.org
