History of Bullying and Victimisation Behaviour of Children with Language Disorders and Maternal Burden

Abstract

ABSTRACT Language disorders may negatively affect children’s behaviour and the maternal burden situation. This recent study examines the history of bullying and victimisation behaviour of children with language disorders and maternal burden in comparison to a reference group of typically developed peers. We measured the bullying and victimisation behaviour and maternal burden of a sample of N= 81 children with and without language disorders and their mothers at two measurement times. The results indicate that mothers of children with language disorders demonstrated high levels of burden, and the children are at higher risk of being victimised and involved in bullying as perpetrators. Furthermore, the maternal burden situation and children’s behavioural problems decrease over time. From a long-term perspective, it seems important to identify children’s behavioural problems and parental causes of stress to successfully support the entire family.