Relationships between pragmatic abilities, school well-being and psychological health in typically developing children

Michela Camia, Erika Benassi, Roberto Padovani, Maristella Scorza

Abstract


Background: A growing body of literature shows relationships between behavioral problems and pragmatic abilities in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the link between pragmatic skills, school well-being and psychological health in typically developing children is still under explored. The present study was aimed at an analysis of the relationships between well-being, behavioral problems, and pragmatics in Italian children from the general population.


Methods: The sample included sixty typically developing children, their mothers, and their teachers. The mothers completed the Children’s Communication Checklist, second edition, the Questionnaire on School Well-being and the Child Behavior Checklist, questionnaires that evaluate children’s pragmatic abilities, school well-being, and psychopathological symptoms, respectively. The teachers completed the Questionnaire on School Well-being.


Results: Close relationships between pragmatic abilities and school well-being were found. In particular, according to both mothers and teachers, Stereotyped language and Use of context were the two pragmatic variables most strongly associated with school well-being. Pragmatic abilities were also linked to externalizing and internalizing symptoms and with specific behavioural problems such as social and attentional problems.


Conclusions: This study sheds light on the close relationships between pragmatic abilities and school well-being and psychological health in typically developing children. We discuss the relevance of focusing attention on early pragmatic competences in children and the importance of considering the school as a crucial setting for psychological assessment and interventions.

Keywords


Pragmatic abilities; School well-being; Behavioral problems; Psychological health; Childhood.

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3179

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