Work

Effects of prematurity and socio‐economic status on early life language exposure: A video coding study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Preterm birth is associated with later language impairment and delay. Socio-economic deprivation is linked to decreased language exposure in early childhood, but it is unknown how prematurity influences this relationship. This study investigated the effects of socio-economic status and gestational age at birth on language exposure, in a sample of 47 preterm and 53 term infant-parent dyads. Videos were coded for parental language and gesture using a novel coding scheme. Video codes revealed no significant differences in the language and gesture used by parents of preterm infants versus term infants during interaction. Socio-economic status was positively correlated with quantity and variety of words used, and mean length of utterance (all r > .25, p < .015). Deprivation, and especially the increased prevalence of deprivation among the preterm population, may be a key factor to consider when examining the risk of language delay for infants born early.

Source: British Journal of Developmental Psychology

DOI: 10.1111/bjdp.70023

Authors: Sinéad O'Carroll, Bethan Dean, Yu Wei Chua, Victoria Ledsham, James P. Boardman, Sue Fletcher‐Watson

Institutions: University of Edinburgh, University of Strathclyde, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Language Development and Disorders

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,400