Impacts of Caregiver Stress on the Receptive Language Skills of Children With Language Impairment During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which ecological factors (e.g., COVID-related caregiver stress and parental warmth) were related to the receptive language skills of children with language impairment (LI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Thirty-five children with LI receiving speech therapy within US public schools and their families participated in this study. Standardised tests of receptive language were administered to measure children's language. Caregiver questionnaires were used to collect data on familial household experiences, parental stress, and parental warmth during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Children with LI and their families experienced a range of adversities during the global pandemic. The frequency of experienced adversities positively correlated with COVID-related caregiver stress levels. Regression analysis revealed that the average level of COVID-related caregiver stress was the strongest predictor of child receptive language. Finally, parental warmth was found to marginally moderate the association between COVID-related caregiver stress and receptive language. CONCLUSIONS: These findings illustrate the importance of ecological factors, namely COVID-related caregiver stress, on the receptive language skills of children with LI, particularly during times of crisis. We provide three specific considerations for future inclusive emergency response plans and current policy, particularly relevant to families of children with developmental disabilities. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject Ecological factors are well-documented to have an impact on child development and learning. Few studies have examined the role of environmental mechanisms, particularly caregiver stress, as they relate to children's language outcomes for children with developmental disabilities. COVID-19 offered an opportunity to examine the influence of caregiver stress on child development, including receptive language outcomes, of which impacts are ongoing. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge This study demonstrated that caregivers of children with language impairment experienced variability in parental stress related to COVID-19. Furthermore, COVID-19-related parental stress was significantly positively correlated with children's receptive language. However, parental warmth may be a protective mechanism for children with language impairment during times of high parental stress. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Implications and recommendations for future emergency response and current policy based on these findings are provided. Specifically, we explore familial protective factors, such as social support and access to resources. HIGHLIGHTS: Caregivers of children with language impairment experienced variability in parental stress related to COVID-19. COVID-19-related parental stress was significantly positively correlated with children's receptive language. Parental Warmth may be a protective mechanism for children with language impairment during times of high parental stress.