Comparison of Language Delay in Children of Working and Non-Working Mothers

Abstract

Background: Language delay is one of the most prevalent developmental disorders among children aged 3 to 6 years, often influenced by a complex interplay of biological, social, and environmental factors. Maternal involvement is considered a critical determinant, but the effect of maternal employment status on language development remains inconclusive across literature. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether maternal employment status influences language delay outcomes in children, and to analyze associated variables such as therapy compliance, screen time exposure, and caregiving routines. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted over six months in Lahore, Pakistan, involving 288 mothers of children aged 3–6 years with clinically diagnosed language delay (144 working, 144 non-working). Data were collected via a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS v26. Variables included therapy adherence, child routines, screen exposure, and language improvement, with inferential statistics used to evaluate intergroup differences and associations. Results: No significant difference was found in language improvement between children of working and non-working mothers (p=0.74). High therapy compliance was strongly associated with better language outcomes (up to 78% improvement in highest adherence quartile). Increased screen time correlated negatively with improvement, especially among children of working mothers, but this effect was mitigated by high compliance. Conclusion: Maternal employment status alone does not predict language delay outcomes. Instead, therapy adherence and screen management are key modifiable factors influencing improvement in children with delayed speech.