Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties of Preschool Children With Speech and Language Disorders: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Several studies have investigated the relationship between speech and language disorders and emotional and behavioral disorders. The aim of this study is to identify through the results of a systematic literature review how speech and language disorders may influence the development of emotional and behavioral difficulties. The systematic literature search yielded 9872 study results and through a rigorously structured process 14 studies emerged which met the eligibility criteria set. In total, a sample consisting of 170,545 participants aged 3 to 7 years old was examined. Specific language abilities and skills were found to be more strongly associated with emotional and behavioral disorders, such as expressive and perceptual speech abilities. Having research data that demonstrates combined patterns of emotional/behavioral and language disorders as a consequence may result in the development of holistic treatment methods and intervention programs that will more effectively support children who present these types of combined disorders and difficulties.