Sammendrag
Previous research has revealed an association between early language difficulties and later internalizing problems, but less is known about the mechanisms behind this association; the timing, the direction of the associations and gender differences. In the current thesis, we have used different models to investigate this association longitudinally in a population-based sample. Results from a cross-lagged model showed that there were bidirectional relations between language difficulties and internalizing problems from 18 months to eight years, especially for girls and especially during the years of transition to school. Furthermore, we found support for a mediation model including two indirect pathways from language difficulties to internalizing problems, one through emotion regulation and one through social engagement. Finally, we showed that the longitudinal association between language difficulties and internalizing problems from five to eight years was best explained by a common underlying family factor shared by siblings. The results highlight the importance of increasing knowledge about language difficulties among mental health professionals, perhaps especially within family prevention in the primary health services. All papers were based on data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa).
Artikkelliste
Paper I: Helland, S. S., Røysamb, E., Wang, M. V., & Gustavson, K. (2017). Language difficulties and internalizing problems: Bidirectional associations from 18 months to 8 years among boys and girls. Development and Psychopathology, 1-14. DOI: 10.1017/S0954579417001559. The paper is not available in DUO due to publisher restrictions. The published version is available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579417001559 |
Paper II: Helland, S.S., Røysamb, E., Schjølberg, S., & Gustavson, K. Pathways from preschool language difficulties to school-age internalizing problems. Under review in Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. To be published. The paper is not available in DUO awaiting publishing. |
Paper III: Helland, S.S., Røysamb, E., Brandlistuen, R.E., Melby-Lervåg, M., & Gustavson, K. A common family factor underlying language difficulties and internalizing problems: Findings from a population-based sibling study. Under review in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. To be published. The paper is not available in DUO awaiting publishing. |