When deafness enters the system: family dynamics and psychosocial functioning of preschool children

Abstract

For most children, family is the first social circle in life where they learn to communicate and develop their social-emotional competence. For deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) children, factors such as differences in communication needs between DHH and hearing family members may lead to challenges in their daily interactions and understanding. Families with a DHH child may also experience more stressful schedules, especially when being in an intensive early intervention program, which may further affect family dynamics.

This PhD project utilized the family systems theory to explain how hearing loss in a child can impact family functioning. Data was collected at the Chinese Rehabilitation Center, Beijing, based on parent and teacher reports, using both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. Outcomes showed that families with DHH preschoolers reported fewer positive aspects than families with only hearing children (e.g., lower cohesion, fewer positive interactions), but the levels of negative aspects were similar in families from both groups (e.g., conflicts, over-dependency). Moreover, DHH and hearing children showed similar levels on most social-emotional skills, but DHH children less often expressed positive emotions. In sum, the outcomes of this project indicate that families with DHH children may engage less in sharing positive moments together, possibly have fewer leisure activities together, yet spend more time on hospital visits and rehabilitation. Nevertheless, children’s social-emotional functioning seemed unaffected by their hearing loss. Possibly, early access to cochlear implantation and the family-centered intervention as organised at the Chinese Rehabilitation Center, Beijing, which includes special teaching communication methods, parental support groups to address social stigma, and educating families on hearing loss, may provide adequate support to these families and their children, which contributed to these positive developments.