The contribution of maternal sensitivity to children’s behavior problems: A longitudinal study of Arab-speaking children with speech and language conditions

Children with expressive language delay or stuttering conditions have an increased risk of behavior problems. However, the mechanism underlying this association is poorly understood. Studies show maternal sensitivity shapes the socioemotional development of typically developing children, yet little is known about this association in the context of children with speech and language conditions. To address this gap, we examined whether maternal sensitivity would be concurrently associated with children's behavior problems and prospectively predict changes in these problems over time. Forty Arab-speaking mothers and their preschool- and elementary-school-aged children (M age in months = 68.63, SD = 16.47; 10 females) diagnosed with expressive language delay or stuttering participated in this study. Maternal sensitivity was assessed globally during observed play interactions with the child and in specific moments of child difficulties with expression or stuttering, through mothers' self-reports of their reactions. Mothers reported their child's behavior problems at baseline and two years later. Controlling for the severity of children's speech or language conditions, maternal sensitivity was concurrently associated with fewer child behavior problems. Children's behavior problems increased over time, yet maternal sensitivity predicted a smaller increase, suggesting an attenuating effect on this general trend. These findings highlight the importance of addressing mother-child interactions in research and practice with families of children with speech and language conditions.