State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) assessment of mothers with language delayed children

In this study, we evaluated the continuous and state anxiety levels of mothers with children with language delay.

The study group consisted of the mothers of 18 children with language delay. The control group consisted of the mothers of 29 healthy children without language delay. To gain data about mothers, a personal information form and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) form were applied to determine continuous and state-trait anxiety levels.

State anxiety levels in the study group were significantly higher (by Student t-test) than that of the control group. For continuous anxiety level, no statistically significant difference was determined between two groups. In the study group, higher education levels of mothers and their husbands were associated with lower levels of both continuous and state anxiety.

In the majority of the group of mothers with language delayed children and even mothers of children with normal language development, there were high levels concern. Mothers' concerns and anxiety levels may decrease with increasing levels of their education levels. We recommend providing detailed information regarding language development to the families at all stages of the childs' training programme.