Well-being and resilience in children with speech and language disorders

Lyons, Rena; Roulstone, Sue

Abstract

© 2018, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. All rights reserved. Purpose: Children with speech and language disorders are at risk in relation to psychological and social well-being. The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of these children from their own perspectives focusing on risks to their well-being and protective indicators that may promote resilience. Method: Eleven 9- to 12-year-old children (4 boys and 7 girls) were recruited using purposeful sampling. One participant presented with a speech sound disorder, 1 presented with both a speech and language disorder, and 9 with language disorders. All were receiving additional educational supports. Narrative inquiry, a qualitative design, was employed. Data were generated in home and school settings using multiple semi-structured interviews with each child over a 6-month period. A total of 59 interviews were conducted. The data were analyzed to identify themes in relation to potential risk factors to well-being and protective strategies. Results: Potential risk factors in relation to well-being were communication impairment and disability, difficulties with relationships, and concern about academic achievement. Potential protective strategies were hope, agency, and positive relationships. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of listening to children’s narratives so that those at risk in relation to well-being can be identified. Conceptualization of well-being and resilience within an ecological framework may enable identification of protective strategies at both individual and environmental levels that can be strengthened to mitigate negative experiences.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 1, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Feb 15, 2018
• Publication Date: Feb 15, 2018
• Deposit Date: Nov 21, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 12, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
• Print ISSN: 1092-4388
• Electronic ISSN: 1558-9102
• Publisher: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 61
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 324-344
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1044/2017_JSLHR-L-16-0391
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/874935
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1044/2017_JSLHR-L-16-0391
• Contract Date: Dec 12, 2017