On Language Acquisition Amongst Children and on Maternal Sensitivity in Families Subject to Risk Factors and those Free of Risk Factors. A Study in Ecuador

Risk factors can lead to disturbance of all areas of a child's development, and thus also of language acquisition and to problems in early relationships between parent and child. In the event of multiple risk factors, as it is often the case amongst people living in poverty, the burden of risks and therefore the probability of developmental disturbance rises (Laucht, Esser & Schmidt, 1998; Wustmann, 2004).In the present study a sample amongst families living in poverty (San Pedro, Ecuador) was compared with a sample taken from middle-class families (Quito, Ecuador). An examination was carried out whether there was a varying number of risk factors and whether there were differences in the language competence of the child as well as in the mother's sensitivity. There was a further examination of whether there was a correlation between maternal sensitivity and communicative competences. The results indicate a negative influence of risk conditions on the language acquisition of the children and on the intuitive and sensitive maternal competences. In the risk group, the results showed a preponderance of delays and disturbances in language development of the children. The mothers from the risk sample group displayed less sensitivity than the control group. There was also a correlation between maternal sensitivity and individual areas of competence. This study shows that it is necessary to ascertain the delays in children's language acquisition and mother-child interaction, particularly amongst families with serious burdens and multiple risk factors. Ascertaining these developmental risks can be used for prevention or intervention which can reduce the risk of negative consequences and aid positive adaptation.