Psychosocial Aspects of Deafness

1
Psychosocial Aspects of Deafness

• SED 353

2
Class Discussion

• Compare and contrast the characteristics of the
  Deaf and hearing communities
• Parental influence is critical to child
  development. What are some things parents can do
  to foster acceptance of their child and interact
  comfortably with societys questions?

3
Class Discussion

• Communication is critical at the various stages
  of our development. Based on Eriksons
  Developmental Model, what role does communication
  play at each of the various stages?

4
A Hearing Perspective - Stigma

• Discrediting
• Converge on a particular characteristic for the
  purpose of mocking or ridiculing, often focuses
  on sign language
• Master status
• Philosophy of non-disabled as they focus on the
  failings of a particular

5
A Hearing Perspective - Stigma

• Spread
• Hearing loss mental abilities, capacity to
  perform daily tasks
• Scrutinization
• Sizing up a person up to be sure that he measures
  up to the task
• Lack of acceptance
• Everyone wants to be accepted

6
STIGMA

• Can elicit feelings of
• Lack of acceptance
• Feelings of failure
• Irritation at being stereotyped

7
Impact of Deafness on Psychosocial Development

• The Early Years
• Parents may have never met a deaf person

8
Impact of Deafness on Psychosocial Development

• The early school years
• Children compete with peers for the first time.
• Success at this time is seen as an extension of
  the parents

9
Impact of Deafness on Psychosocial Development

• The adolescent years
• Most view from themselves the way society reacts.
• During adolescence, peers are most important

10
Impact of Deafness on Psychosocial Development

• Young adulthood
• Individuals begin to form adult identity, may
  seek to secure jobs, and partners with whom to
  share their lives.

11
Eriksons Developmental Model

• Stage I Trust vs. Mistrust
• Birth to 18 months
• Stage II Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
• 18 months to 3 years

12
Eriksons Developmental Model

• Stage III Initiative vs. Guilt
• 3 6 years
• Stage IV Industry vs. Inferiority
• 6-11 years

13
Eriksons Developmental Model

• Stage V Identity vs. Role Diffusion
• 11-18 years
• Stage VI Intimacy vs. Isolation
• 18-25

14
Mental Health Illness

• Amount of research in this area various
  throughout the years. Interest in the topic has
  increased recently.
• Much of early research is questionable due to
  validity issues.
• In recent years, a few tests and assessments,
  which are appropriate for the deaf population,
  have been developed

15
Mental Health Illness

• Psychiatric and Mental Health Services for Deaf
  Persons
• Center on Deafness in the Suburbs
• www.centerondeafness.org

16
Culture

• Major components of a culture
• Values
• Norms
• Institutions
• Artifacts

17
Deaf Culture

• The deaf culture is of critical importance to
  those who identify themselves with it. It has
  developed out of a need for camaraderie among a
  group of unique individuals who are seeking a
  place of their own society.
• -Scheetz

18
Deaf Culture - Components

• American Sign Language
• Identification
• Shared Experiences
• Participation in Activities
• Diversification Within the Culture