Relationships between language development and externalizing behavior in preschool children

For about thirty years, numerous studies have pointed associations between language and behavior troubles. However, these data neither allowed a complete understanding of the direction of this relationship nor of its determinants. A literature review is proposed, in the absence of synthesis work concerning language abilities of preschoolers displaying externalizing behavior. Aiming a better understanding of this relation, the authors detail the affected language components and their associated externalizing behaviors. A conceptual framework is also proposed in order to include the effect of other variables inherent to children and their environment in the relationship between language and behavior. Future directions for research and implications for clinicians are discussed.