According to the study, deaf children are at higher risk of developing problems with emotional well-being

According to the study, deaf children are at higher risk of developing problems with emotional well-being

Research from Queen's University Belfast suggests that deaf children are at higher risk of developing mental health and emotional wellbeing problems compared to hearing children.

The research report “The emotional well-being of deaf children and young people” by Dr. Bronagh Byrne and Dr. Catherine McNamee from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s was recently introduced to the university.

The study, commissioned by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, aimed to identify current and future needs for services relating to the mental health and emotional wellbeing of deaf children through the lens of a human rights framework that explicitly recognizes deaf children's rights. Holder.

Researchers conducted a secondary analysis of the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Study as part of the project.

Key findings included:

• Gehörlose Kinder haben im Vergleich zu hörenden Kindern ein höheres Risiko, Depressionen, Angstzustände, generalisierte Angststörungen, Zwangsstörungen, Panikstörungen und Trennungsangst zu entwickeln.
• Fast 21 % der gehörlosen Kinder gaben an, mindestens eine psychische Erkrankung zu haben, im Vergleich zu etwa 12 % der hörenden Kinder.

These results are also consistent with findings from interviews and focus groups with deaf children and adolescents and their parents, which provide important insights into some of the reasons why deaf children may be at higher risk of experiencing problems with emotional well-being. These factors are rooted in environmental, structural, social and cultural issues that interact with a child's deafness to create significant barriers and challenges.

There was also a perception that more deaf people should have access to emotional wellbeing services, but this is not due to communication barriers.”

Dr. Bronagh Byrne, Faculty of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen's University Belfast

There are almost 1,400 deaf children in Northern Ireland (CRIDE 2021). However, there is a lack of reliable or recent data on the prevalence of their emotional well-being problems and there is little research that examines or would like to see developed the perspectives and experiences of deaf children and their parents in accessing emotional well-being services and/or the types of services they would find helpful. Additionally, there are currently no specialist mental health services for deaf children and young people in Northern Ireland.

Dr. McNamee said: “Based on the levels of need identified in the findings of this report, these gaps in service provision are concerning, particularly given their likely impact on the lives of these children.

“Recommendations include providing early intervention support and services that specifically target the emotional needs of deaf children.”

Based on the results of the project, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has launched a regional deaf CAMHA service to support the emotional wellbeing of deaf children and young people.

Dr. Holly Greer, Consultant Psychiatrist for the Northern Trust and Chair of the Faculty of Children and Adolescents at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland, and Caroline Doherty, Regional Deaf CAMHS Project Worker, oversaw the pilot project service.

Dr. Greer said: "This research is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland to truly quantify and highlight the mental health needs of deaf children and young people. It has helped us understand how we can design any future service to focus on what matters to young people and families and will help build evidence of the need for a service that brings us in line with NHS England.

Source:

Queen's University Belfast

.