Health-related quality of life of caregivers of children with low language: Results from two Australian population-based studies

Abstract

Purpose: To examine (1) the association between low language (LL) and caregiver’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL), (2) whether persistent LL affects caregiver’s HRQoL and (3) whether child social-emotional-behavioural (SEB) difficulties attenuates the association between LL and caregiver’s HRQoL.

Method: Data were from the Early Language in Victoria Study (ELVS) and the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). Caregiver’s HRQoL was measured using the EuroQoL-5 dimensions and the Assessment of Quality of Life-8 dimensions. Language ability was determined using the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF)-Preschool-2nd or 4th edition (ELVS) and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-3^rd edition or CELF-4 recalling sentences subscale (LSAC). Child SEB difficulties were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression was used for the analysis.

Result: At 11–12 years, an association between LL and reduced caregiver’s HRQoL was found in LSAC, but not in ELVS. Persistent LL from 4–11 years seemed to not affect caregivers’ HRQoL in either cohort. Child SEB difficulties attenuated the association between caregiver’s HRQoL and LL.

Conclusion: Both LL and SEB difficulties contributed to reduced caregiver’s HRQoL at children age 11–12 years. Interventions supporting children with LL should consider caregiver’s well-being in provision of care that meets families’ needs.

Keywords:

• low language
• HRQoL
• caregivers
• children
• social-emotional behaviour

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed at http://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2021.1976836.

Additional information

Funding

The Early Language Victoria Study was funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC #237106, #436958 and #1041947). The authors thank the Early Language Victoria Study team and all participating families, and acknowledge the support of the NHMRC-funded Centre of Research Excellence in Child Language (#1023493). The Child Health CheckPoint has been supported to date by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia (Project Grants 1041352, 1109355), The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation (2014-241), Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, National Heart Foundation of Australia (100660), Financial Markets Foundation for Children (2014-055, 2016-310), Cure Kids, New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, University of Auckland Faculty Development Research Fund (3712987), National Centre for Longitudinal Data (at the DSS) and Victorian Deaf Education Institute. The urinary albumin and creatinine quantification was funded through NHMRC Program Grant 633003 Screening and Test Evaluation Program. The NHMRC supported Prof Wake (Senior Research Fellowships 1046518 and Principal Research Fellowship 1160906)), and Dr Mensah (Career Development Fellowship 1111160). A/Prof Sciberras was supported by a Veski women fellowship. Research at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute is supported by the Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Program.