Bias Effects of Socioeconomic Status and Sex in Decision Making in Speech-Language Pathology

¹ University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Within the area of speech-language pathology there is a paucity of literature that specifically addresses the issue of bias in the referral, assessment, and placement of children in programs for the remediation of speech-language disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the issue of bias [i.e., sex and socioeconomic status (SES)] as it related to decision making in speech-language pathology. Certified speech-language pathologists completed a questionnaire survey in which information regarding the referral and assessment of a hypothetical case study child was presented. Only the sex of the child and the parents' occupations were varied. Factor analysis and subsequent analyses of variance revealed a significant difference with regard to the SES main effect (p < .006) for Factor 2 (Alternative Home and School Intervention Strategies). That is, it was found that regardless of sex, low SES children were viewed as more likely than high SES children to be recommended for alternative home and school intervention strategies for the remediation of speech-language delays.

Key Words: bias effects • socioeconomic status (SES) • sex • decision making

Submitted on September 19, 1988
Accepted on April 18, 1989