The influence of individual and family characteristics on the relationship between a child's language development and adult social interaction and life satisfaction

Background. Difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships among children with language deficiencies may contribute to reduced long-term social interaction and life satisfaction. Social interaction and life satisfaction are associated with adult relationships, social functioning, social support, and achievement of life goals.; Objective. To identify factors contributing to language and social development and to determine whether children with diminished language at 8 years had lower social interaction and life satisfaction compared to peers with normal language.; Methods. Data were from the Johns Hopkins Collaborative Perinatal Study, which followed children from birth in 1960--65 to age 8 years, and the Pathways to Adulthood Study, a one-time follow-up at age 27 to 33 years. The sample was composed of 1,434 African Americans. Child factors associated with language attainment at 8 years were identified using logistic regression. The impact of language on adult social interaction and life satisfaction was assessed using multiple linear and logistic regression.; Results. Poorer language at 8 years was associated with poorer language at 3 years; neurological, cognitive, and motor-visual deficits at 7 years; internalizing behavior at 7 years; inattentive mother at 8 months; higher birth order; younger mothers; lower incomes; and poor speech at 3 and 8 years. Males with suspected language problems at age 8 had adult social interaction and life satisfaction similar to normal language peers. Males with poor language were more likely in groups activities and more satisfied with life than normal language peers; social engagement and interpersonal contact were not different. Females with suspected language problems had lower social engagement and interpersonal contact, and were less likely in group activities than normal language peers; life satisfaction was not different. Females with poor language had lower social engagement and interpersonal contact than normal language peers; group activities and life satisfaction were not different.; Conclusions. Language problems differentially impacted outcomes for men and women and by severity. Language problems diminished social interaction for women, but not for men. Language attainment at age 8 did not affect life satisfaction. Personal and environmental factors contributed to language and social development. Interventions should consider gender, language status, and multiple, inter-related factors.