| Title: |
Predictors of Speech-Language Therapy Service Access among Parents in Aotearoa New Zealand |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Christine Sim; Bianca N. Jackson (ORCID 0000-0001-5566-8276); Suzanne Carolyn Purdy (ORCID 0000-0001-9978-8173) |
| Source: |
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2026 61(3). |
| Availability: |
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
17 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Predictor Variables; Speech Language Pathology; Speech Therapy; Access to Health Care; Parents; Parent Child Relationship; Referral; Foreign Countries; Information Seeking; Early Intervention |
| Geographic Terms: |
New Zealand |
| DOI: |
10.1111/1460-6984.70263 |
| ISSN: |
1368-2822; 1460-6984 |
| Abstract: |
Background: Effective support for children's speech, language, and communication development is essential to prevent long-term negative outcomes. Parental behaviours play a critical role in whether children are referred to and receive speech-language therapy. Aims: This study aimed to identify predictors of parents receiving Speech-language Therapy using longitudinal data from Growing Up in New Zealand. Method: Data were drawn from the Growing Up in New Zealand study, which is representative of the national child population. The analysis focused on children with reported speech concerns by age 54 months (N = 771). The primary outcome was whether speech-language therapy had been received for speech concerns by that age. Results: Logistic regression showed children had significantly higher odds of receiving speech-language therapy if their mothers experienced low socioeconomic deprivation during pregnancy (OR = 2.31, p < 0.01) and if family doctors were perceived as highly helpful when the child was nine months old (OR = 3.77, p < 0.05). In contrast, children whose mothers identified Māori as their prioritised ethnicity were significantly less likely to receive speech-language therapy than those identifying as European/Pākehā (OR = 0.40, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Findings highlight persistent ethnic and social inequities in access to speech-language therapy in New Zealand. Parental information-seeking may play a role but requires further research. These results support the need for targeted policies and early engagement strategies to ensure equitable receipt of speech-language therapy for children with speech, language, and communication needs. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1506894 |
| Database: |
ERIC |