Early language skills and later internalizing and externalizing behaviours: associations through core and pragmatic language

Language skills have been associated with both internalizing (anxiety, depression, somatization) and externalizing (conduct problems, hyperactivity, aggression) behaviours. Studies investigating these links have primarily focused on core language skills, such as expressive and receptive language, with less attention to pragmatic language, the social use of language in everyday interactions. The present study examined associations between early expressive vocabulary and later internalizing and externalizing symptoms through both core and pragmatic language skills.

Using data from a large, prospective Canadian cohort study, structural equation models tested longitudinal associations between expressive vocabulary skills at age 2, core and pragmatic language at age 5, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms at age 8.

Results indicated significant indirect associations between early expressive vocabulary and later internalizing and externalizing symptoms through both core and pragmatic language.

These findings highlight the importance of considering the role of both core and pragmatic language skills when examining associations with later behavioural symptoms.