Abstract
Objective: This study tested the role of temporary memory, measured by phonological short-term memory (pSTM) and verbal working memory (vWM), as a mediator of the effect of 3 putative risk factors (i.e., socioeconomic status, home literacy environment, birth gestational age) upon expressive and receptive language. Method: A community-based sample of 646 Italian children aged 6-11 years was assessed with a comprehensive battery of language and cognitive tests. A mediation analysis was used to examine whether memory mediates environmental/biological effects on language. Results: The results demonstrated a developmental cascade of effects, whereby the duration of pregnancy drives vWM functioning that, in turn, may affect expressive linguistic outcome Conclusion: Treatments focused on vWM, specifically to preterm children, may improve their language development, with enduring consequences on educational and psychosocial outcomes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 475-485 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Neuropsychology |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 1 2017 |
Keywords
- Environmental/biological factors
- Language
- Mediation
- Memory
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology