Maternal Gatekeeping in Children with Developmental Language Disorder

Background: Based on previous studies reporting language disorders associated with maternal overload and changes in parenting practices, this study aimed to investigate maternal gatekeeping and overprotectiveness in developmental language disorder (DLD).

Methods: Forty-five children with DLD and 46 children with typical language development (TLD) children were included in this study. To assess the level of maternal gatekeeping and overprotectiveness, we employed Maternal Gatekeeping Scale (MGS) and Parent Attitude Scale (PAS). Additionally, participant’s language abilities were evaluated using Test of Early Language Development-3 (TELD-3), and their overall developmental status was assessed using Denver Development Screening Test-2 (DDST-II). Immitance-metric assessment and auto-acoustic emission testing were also used to assess hearing functions.

Results: Mean PAS-overprotection (34.1 ± 8.4, 24.3 ± 5.9, P < .001) and MGS total scores (141.7 ± 24.1, 115.7 ± 20.5, P < .001) in children with DLD were significantly higher than those of the TLD. Factors affecting MGS scores were investigated using Multiple linear regression analysis. DLD diagnosis (β=14.195, P=.029), PAS-overprotection (β=1.158, P=.001) and family income level (β=9.643, P=.045) were found as significantly associated with MGS scores. In addition, PAS-overprotective obtained to have a partial mediating role in the relationship between DLD diagnosis and MGS scores (β=.391, P < .001).

Conclusion: Present study reveals that maternal gatekeeping is associated with DLD and overprotection. These findings underscore the importance of evaluating motherhood practices and fostering independency supportive attitudes in the care for children with DLD.

Cite this article as: Koyuncu Z, Zabcı N, Sandıkçı T, et al. Maternal gatekeeping in children with developmental language disorder. Psychiatry Clin Psychopharmacol. 2024;34(2):153-162.