Browsing by Author "Luukkanen, Henna"

Objectives. Specific language impairment (SLI) is a heterogeneous disorder varying in both symptom profile and severity and it often involves a variety of co-morbid problems. Language problems seem to be somewhat persistent until adolescence and adulthood but there is still little known about the wider long-term effects of the disorder. Information could help, for instance, in early identification and prevention of potential problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the childhood diagnosis of SLI on self-perceived quality of life and well-being of young adults aged 20–22 years. The focus was on the subjects' self-perceived health-related quality of life and their own views on the effects of the SLI diagnosis on their lives. The study is part of a larger research project, which examines symptom profiles and longitudinal effects of childhood SLI. Methods. The study was carried out as a survey. The study sample consisted of persons who had received at Lastenlinna, the children's hospital of Helsinki University Central Hospital, a primary diagnosis of specific language impairment (F80.1 expressive and/or F80.2 receptive language disorder) in 1998 or 1999. The survey consisted of a 15D questionnaire measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and a separate SLI questionnaire which gathered other information relevant for the study. A total of 74 subjects answered the questionnaire resulting in a response rate of 38,5 percent. The data of the multiple-choice questions of the 15D and SLI questionnaires were analysed quantitatively by computing frequencies, averages, standard deviations and percentages of the answers and examining correlations between different variables. Answers of the open question were analysed using qualitative content analysis which brought forth some descriptive themes. Results and conclusions. The subjects perceived their HRQoL (15D) to be significantly worse off compared with age- and gender-matched control population which was apparent in the total 15D score and in several dimensions (hearing, sleeping, speech, usual activities, mental function, depression, distress and vitality). Subjects' views on the effects of the SLI diagnosis on their lives were individual and varied, which reflects the heterogeneous nature of the disorder also from the perspective of the long-term effects. The effects of the SLI diagnosis extended to several areas of life, but the results included also positive effects and mitigation of problems. In the future additional research will be needed to, for instance, identify factors predicting long-term effects of SLI. The acquired information could help to focus the preventive supportive actions, rehabilitation and follow-up on children at greatest risk of negative long-term effects.