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Wilmot A, Hasking P, Leitão S, Hill E, Boyes M. Understanding mental health in developmental dyslexia through a neurodiversity lens: The mediating effect of school-connectedness on anxiety, depression and conduct problems. DYSLEXIA (CHICHESTER, ENGLAND) 2024; 30:e1775. [PMID: 38837597 DOI: 10.1002/dys.1775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Dyslexia, a neurocognitive difference characterised by poor word-reading, is associated with elevated risk for internalising (e.g., anxiety) and externalising (e.g., aggression) mental health concerns, the reasons are largely unknown. We took a neurodiversity perspective and explored whether school-connectedness mediated these associations. A total of 283 primary school children (87 with dyslexia) and their caregivers (95.4% mothers) completed a battery of well-validated connectedness and mental health measures. Two mediation models (one for child-report and one for caregiver-report) tested direct and indirect effects of dyslexia on anxiety, depression and conduct problems via several domains of school-connectedness. After controlling for gender and neurodevelopmental conditions other than dyslexia, there were no direct effects of dyslexia on child- or caregiver-reported internalising symptoms or child-reported conduct problems. Dyslexia was associated with child and caregiver reported anxiety, depression and conduct problems via low levels of school (but not teacher, friend or peer) connectedness. Findings highlight school-connectedness as an important intervention target for the mental health of children with dyslexia. Future research is needed to test associations between dyslexia, school-connectedness and mental health over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne Wilmot
- Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Penelope Hasking
- Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Suze Leitão
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Hill
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mark Boyes
- Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Li M, Zhao W, Liu M, Zhang L, Li G. Mental health among children with and without reading difficulties. ANNALS OF DYSLEXIA 2024; 74:27-46. [PMID: 38157126 DOI: 10.1007/s11881-023-00296-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
This study explored the relationship between mental health, i.e., depression and anxiety, and reading difficulties (RD) in Chinese elementary school children. Participants were 1535 grades 3, 4, and 5 students from three elementary schools in Xi'an, China. Children with and without RD were compared to their depression and anxiety. Additionally, children's self-ratings, parents' ratings, and teachers' ratings of depression and anxiety were compared to better understand mental health issues of Chinese children with RD. The findings showed that Chinese children with RD experienced more depression but not anxiety compared to their typically developing peers across all three grade levels. Reports from all three informants consistently reflected that children with RD experienced more depression. However, some inconsistencies were found between self-reported levels of depression and anxiety and the observations made by parents and teachers. Children reported experiencing more depression than their parents and teachers observed but less anxiety than their parents reported. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding the links between RD and mental health and the need for appropriate intervention programs to help children with RD cope with the mental health challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Li
- Department of Curriculum & Instruction, College of Education, University of Houston, 3657 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Special Education, School of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mengmeng Liu
- Department of Special Education, School of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lele Zhang
- Lugang Primary School of Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Gen Li
- Department of Educational and Psychological Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA
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Martín-Ruiz I, González-Valenzuela MJ, Infante-Cañete L. Emotional Adjustment among Adolescent Students with and without Specific Learning Disabilities. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1911. [PMID: 38136113 PMCID: PMC10742324 DOI: 10.3390/children10121911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is a psychologically vulnerable stage in which problems of emotional adjustment and psychological well-being can appear. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship and comparison of emotional deficits and resources among adolescents with or without specific learning disabilities. We evaluated 80 students distributed into two groups: 40 adolescents with specific learning disabilities and 40 normative adolescents matched with the previous group in terms of age, sex, and school year. The study variables are internalising problems (anxiety and depression), externalising problems (aggression, anger control, defiant behaviour, and antisocial behaviour), and personal resources (self-esteem, social competence and integration, and awareness of problems), evaluated by means of the SENA test. The results indicate a positive relationship between externalising and internalising problems and a negative relationship between the latter and some personal resources in both groups. We also found that adolescents with specific learning disabilities displayed more internalising and externalising symptoms than their peers, greater awareness of their emotional difficulties, and lower self-esteem and social integration and competence. The findings highlight the need for preventive interventions that promote the psychological well-being and mental health of adolescents within the school setting at an early age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lidia Infante-Cañete
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy, University of Málaga, 29016 Málaga, Spain; (I.M.-R.); (M.-J.G.-V.)
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Deniz E, Toseeb U. A longitudinal study of sibling bullying and mental health in autistic adolescents: The role of self-esteem. Autism Res 2023; 16:1533-1549. [PMID: 37458372 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Sibling bullying is associated with poor mental health in autistic adolescents. The reasons for this remain unknown. In the current study, we attempted to replicate the existing findings on the direct associations between sibling bullying and mental health in autistic adolescents and expand knowledge by focusing on the indirect associations through self-esteem. We made use of existing data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally representative UK-based birth cohort study. We fitted a mediation model to longitudinal data from a sample of 416 autistic adolescents aged 11, 14, and 17 years old who had at least one sibling. We found that sibling bullying was prevalent in the lives of autistic adolescents, especially in those who were late-diagnosed, had a shared bedroom, and lived in a low-income household. Additionally, increased sibling bullying in early adolescence was a significant predictor of reduced self-esteem in mid-adolescence; in turn, reduced self-esteem predicted poorer mental health and wellbeing in late adolescence. Our findings indicate that sibling bullying in early adolescence may indirectly lead to poorer mental health and wellbeing in late adolescence through a reduction in self-esteem in mid-adolescence in autistic adolescents. We discuss the implications of these findings further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Deniz
- Department of Education, University of York, York, UK
| | - Umar Toseeb
- Department of Education, University of York, York, UK
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Orrego PM, McGregor KK, Reyes SM. A First-Person Account of Developmental Language Disorder. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2023; 32:1383-1396. [PMID: 37195674 PMCID: PMC10473366 DOI: 10.1044/2023_ajslp-22-00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study is to share the lived experiences of an adult with developmental language disorder (DLD) and relate her experience to the evidence base and issues in clinical practice. METHOD We co-wrote a first-person account grounded in the research literature. We organized the account into six main sections: (a) the early signs of DLD; (b) diagnosis; (c) treatment; (d) the impact of DLD on family relationships, social-emotional health, and academic performance; and (e) considerations for practicing speech-language pathologists. We close with (f) the first author's current perspective on life with DLD. CONCLUSIONS The first author was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe DLD in early childhood, and she continues to exhibit subtle and occasional symptoms of DLD as an adult. At specific points in development, her family relationships were disrupted and her social, emotional, and academic functions were disabled, particularly in the school context. Supportive adults, especially her mother and her speech-language pathologist, helped lessen these impacts. DLD and its consequences also positively influenced her worldview and professional choices. The precise nature of her DLD and her experiences around the disorder will not be true of everyone with DLD. Nevertheless, the broad themes that emerge from her narrative are reflected in the evidence base and thus are likely applicable to many individuals with DLD or other neurodevelopmental conditions.
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Wilmot A, Pizzey H, Leitão S, Hasking P, Boyes M. Growing up with dyslexia: Child and parent perspectives on school struggles, self-esteem, and mental health. DYSLEXIA (CHICHESTER, ENGLAND) 2023; 29:40-54. [PMID: 36349866 PMCID: PMC10946500 DOI: 10.1002/dys.1729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Children with dyslexia, compared with typically reading peers, are at increased risk of internalising (e.g., anxiety) and externalising (e.g., aggression) mental health concerns; why this is the case is largely unknown. Our aim was to explore the socio-emotional experience of growing up with dyslexia from both child and parent perspectives. In so doing, we aimed to gain a better understanding of self-esteem and mental health in the context of dyslexia. One-to-one semi-structured interviews with 17 children with reading difficulties (aged 9-14 years; 16 with a diagnosis of dyslexia) and their mothers (interviewed separately) were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis approach with a neurodiversity lens. We developed three themes to address the research aim: (1) Different in a good/bad way; (2) Exhausted and overwhelmed; and (3) It takes a community: Family school connections. Children discussed having "worries" and experiencing school-related stress and embarrassment. Mothers perceived children's internalising and externalising behaviour (meltdowns), school refusal, and homework resistance as emotional responses to children's school struggles due to poor "person-environment fit." Our analysis highlights the particular importance of parent support, friendship, and school-connectedness for the wellbeing of children with dyslexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne Wilmot
- Faculty of Health SciencesSchool of Population Health, Curtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Hannah Pizzey
- Faculty of Health SciencesSchool of Population Health, Curtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Suze Leitão
- Faculty of Health SciencesSchool of Allied Health, Curtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Faculty of Health SciencesCurtin enAble Institute, Curtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Penelope Hasking
- Faculty of Health SciencesSchool of Population Health, Curtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Faculty of Health SciencesCurtin enAble Institute, Curtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Mark Boyes
- Faculty of Health SciencesSchool of Population Health, Curtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Faculty of Health SciencesCurtin enAble Institute, Curtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
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Wilmot A, Hasking P, Leitão S, Hill E, Boyes M. Understanding Mental Health in Developmental Dyslexia: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1653. [PMID: 36674408 PMCID: PMC9864451 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Children with dyslexia are at elevated risk of internalising and externalising mental health concerns. Our aim was to scope the extent and nature of the literature investigating factors which may influence this association. We systematically searched the peer-reviewed and grey literature with no restrictions on the date. We included both qualitative and quantitative studies. Inclusion criteria included: (1) a focus on childhood (≤18 years) reading/learning difficulties; (2) internalising and/or externalising symptoms; and (3) a potentially modifiable third factor (e.g., self-esteem). Ninety-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. We organised the studies according to individual, family, and community-level third factors. Whilst a range of third factors were identified, relatively few researchers tested associations between the third factor and mental health in the context of dyslexia. Furthermore, there was a focus on primary rather than secondary school experience and a reliance, in many cases, on teacher/parent perspectives on children's mental health. Future researchers are encouraged to explore links between socio-emotional skills, coping strategies, school connectedness, and mental health in the context of dyslexia. Research of this nature is important to assist with the identification of children who are more (or less) at risk of mental health concerns and to inform tailored mental health programs for children with dyslexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne Wilmot
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
| | - Penelope Hasking
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
| | - Suze Leitão
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Hill
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
| | - Mark Boyes
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
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Sureda-Garcia I, Valera-Pozo M, Sanchez-Azanza V, Adrover-Roig D, Aguilar-Mediavilla E. Associations Between Self, Peer, and Teacher Reports of Victimization and Social Skills in School in Children With Language Disorders. Front Psychol 2021; 12:718110. [PMID: 34867596 PMCID: PMC8634164 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that teachers and parents of children with language disorders report them to have higher victimization scores, a heightened risk of low-quality friendships and social difficulties, and may be more vulnerable to peer rejection than control peers. However, there are few studies of bullying in children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and reading difficulties (RD), and none has considered the mutual relationships between teacher reports, the perceptions of classmates, and children's self-reports. We analyzed the experiences of bullying and peer relationships in primary school students with DLD and RD as compared to their age-matched peers using teacher reports, peer reports, and self-reports on victimization. Additionally, we explored how these three perspectives are associated. Results indicated lower levels of peer-rated prosocial skills in DLD and RD students compared to their peers, as well as higher levels of victimization as assessed by peers for students with DLD. In the same line, the teachers' ratings showed that students with DLD presented poorer social skills, less adaptability, and more withdrawal in social interaction. Contrastingly, self-reports informed of similar rates of interpersonal relationships, social stress, and peer victimization between the three groups. Consequently, we found significant correlations between measures of peer reports and teacher reports that contrasted with the lack of correlations between self and other agents' reports. These findings stress the importance of using self-reports, peer reports, and teacher reports at the same time to detect bullying situations that might go unnoticed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniel Adrover-Roig
- Department of Applied Pedagogy and Educational Psychology, Institute of Research and Innovation in Education, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
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Bullying in Students with Special Education Needs and Learning Difficulties: The Role of the Student–Teacher Relationship Quality and Students’ Social Status in the Peer Group. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10566-021-09640-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Children with Special Education Needs and Learning Difficulties are at risk of being excluded, or bullied because of their impairments. Within the bullying literature, two variables have been shown to be key in terms of its predictions: student–teacher relationship and students’ social status among peers.
Objective
The aim of this research was to assess the association between the student–teacher relationship and students’ social status in the peer group and bullying dimensions in children with SEN, LD, and typical development.
Method
A total of 320 children—55 with LD, 46 with SEN, and 219 in the control group – participated in the study, with a mean age of 11.04 (SD = 1.42), and 59.7% of whom were male. The model tested showed a good fit: χ2 (40) = 102.395, p < .001, CFI = .940, RMSEA = .070 [90% CI = .054, .088].
Results
Main findings show that children with SEN and LD had more difficulties in social participation and might be at higher risk of being bullied, compared with their classmates.
Conclusions
This study offers evidence on bullying in children with SEN and LD and its association with both relationship with teacher and students’ social status. For teachers, results highlight peculiarities and possible problems of school inclusion of children with SEN and LD. For educational researchers, findings add knowledge on literature focused on bullying in children with difficulties.
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Boyes ME, Leitão S, Claessen M, Dzidic P, Badcock NA, Nayton M. Piloting 'Clever Kids': A randomized-controlled trial assessing feasibility, efficacy, and acceptability of a socioemotional well-being programme for children with dyslexia. BRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 91:950-971. [PMID: 33368190 DOI: 10.1111/bjep.12401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Children with dyslexia are at elevated risk of internalizing (emotional) and externalizing (behavioural) problems. Clever Kids is a nine-week socioemotional well-being programme developed specifically for upper primary school children with dyslexia. In a small randomized-controlled trial, we tested the feasibility, efficacy, and acceptability of the Clever Kids programme. 'Forty children (Mage = 10.45 years, 65% male) with clinically diagnosed dyslexia too part in the study. Children were randomized to either attend Clever Kids (n = 20) or to a wait-list control condition (n = 20). Coping skills, self-esteem, resilience, emotion regulation, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms were measured at pre-programme, post-programme, and at three-month follow-up. Recruitment and retention rates indicate high feasibility for further evaluation of the programme. There was a significant interaction between intervention condition and time for non-productive coping [F(2, 76) = 4.29, p = 0.017, f2 = 0.11]. Children who attended Clever Kids significantly reduced their use of non-productive coping strategies, and this was maintained at three-month follow-up assessment. For all other outcomes, the interactions between intervention condition and time were non-significant. The programme appears acceptable to children with dyslexia and their families, but may be improved by further reducing the number of activities involving reading and writing. Clever Kids improved the coping skills of children with dyslexia; however, a larger trial is needed to replicate this finding and investigate whether programme attendance is associated with additional improvements in children's socioemotional well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Boyes
- School of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Suze Leitão
- School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mary Claessen
- School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peta Dzidic
- School of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Badcock
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mandy Nayton
- School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,The Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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