What are the relationships between oral language development and externalizing behavior problems? Study with three groups of preschoolers

The existing literature demonstrates a non-negligable association between language development and externalizing behavior disorders, but several limitations of this work can be highlighted. Firstly, few studies have analyzed exactly which language abilities are associated with behavior disorders. Secondly, few studies analyzed the cause of this association, and especially the hypothesis that this relationship may be partly explained by dysfunctional parenting practices. The present research aimed to find an answer to these questions by comparing three groups of preschoolers whose level of externalizing behaviors differ: a group of typically developing children, a group of children at risk for behavior disorders, and a group of children with a clinical level of externalizing behavior disorders. The results showed the following: 1. A lower grammatical level in children at risk from or with confirmed behavioral disorders; 2. Associations between children’s language development and behaviors of non-compliance and engagement in a task; 3. Relationships between parental practices and children’s language and behavioral development.