Communication, inclusion and psychological wellbeing among deaf and hard of hearing children: A qualitative study in the Gaza Strip
Deaf and hard of hearing children are at risk of exclusion from community life and education, which may increase their risk of mental health conditions. This study explores the experience of deaf and hard of hearing children in the Gaza Strip, with particular focus on the factors that contribute to...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2023-01-01
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| Series: | PLOS Global Public Health |
| Online Access: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10243624/?tool=EBI |
| _version_ | 1797694745769672704 |
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| author | Nathaniel Scherer Tracey Smythe Ramadan Hussein Lorraine Wapling Shaffa Hameed Julian Eaton Naim Kabaja Ritsuko Kakuma Sarah Polack |
| author_facet | Nathaniel Scherer Tracey Smythe Ramadan Hussein Lorraine Wapling Shaffa Hameed Julian Eaton Naim Kabaja Ritsuko Kakuma Sarah Polack |
| author_sort | Nathaniel Scherer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Deaf and hard of hearing children are at risk of exclusion from community life and education, which may increase their risk of mental health conditions. This study explores the experience of deaf and hard of hearing children in the Gaza Strip, with particular focus on the factors that contribute to psychological wellbeing and distress. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 deaf and hard of hearing children, 10 caregivers of deaf and hard of hearing children and eight teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children in mainstream and special schools, across the Gaza Strip. Further, three focus group discussions were held with deaf and hard of hearing adults and disability leaders, mental health specialists and other teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children. Data collection was completed in August 2020. Key themes identified in the analysis included lack of accessible communication, community exclusion, negative attitudes towards hearing impairment and deafness and the impact on deaf and hard of hearing children’s sense of self, and limited family knowledge on hearing impairment and deafness. Further findings focused on strategies to improve the inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing children and how to promote wellbeing. In conclusion, participants in this study believed that deaf and hard of hearing children in the Gaza Strip are at increased risk of mental health conditions. Changes are needed across community and government structures, including education systems, to promote the inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing children and to support their psychological wellbeing. Recommendations from the findings include increasing efforts to improve awareness and reduce stigma, providing better access to sign language for deaf and hard of hearing children, and offering training for teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children, especially in mainstream environments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T03:02:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8aeed7fd965746b5936531931efffcc3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2767-3375 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T03:02:16Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLOS Global Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-8aeed7fd965746b5936531931efffcc32023-09-03T14:39:54ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLOS Global Public Health2767-33752023-01-0136Communication, inclusion and psychological wellbeing among deaf and hard of hearing children: A qualitative study in the Gaza StripNathaniel SchererTracey SmytheRamadan HusseinLorraine WaplingShaffa HameedJulian EatonNaim KabajaRitsuko KakumaSarah PolackDeaf and hard of hearing children are at risk of exclusion from community life and education, which may increase their risk of mental health conditions. This study explores the experience of deaf and hard of hearing children in the Gaza Strip, with particular focus on the factors that contribute to psychological wellbeing and distress. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 deaf and hard of hearing children, 10 caregivers of deaf and hard of hearing children and eight teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children in mainstream and special schools, across the Gaza Strip. Further, three focus group discussions were held with deaf and hard of hearing adults and disability leaders, mental health specialists and other teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children. Data collection was completed in August 2020. Key themes identified in the analysis included lack of accessible communication, community exclusion, negative attitudes towards hearing impairment and deafness and the impact on deaf and hard of hearing children’s sense of self, and limited family knowledge on hearing impairment and deafness. Further findings focused on strategies to improve the inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing children and how to promote wellbeing. In conclusion, participants in this study believed that deaf and hard of hearing children in the Gaza Strip are at increased risk of mental health conditions. Changes are needed across community and government structures, including education systems, to promote the inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing children and to support their psychological wellbeing. Recommendations from the findings include increasing efforts to improve awareness and reduce stigma, providing better access to sign language for deaf and hard of hearing children, and offering training for teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children, especially in mainstream environments.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10243624/?tool=EBI |
| spellingShingle | Nathaniel Scherer Tracey Smythe Ramadan Hussein Lorraine Wapling Shaffa Hameed Julian Eaton Naim Kabaja Ritsuko Kakuma Sarah Polack Communication, inclusion and psychological wellbeing among deaf and hard of hearing children: A qualitative study in the Gaza Strip PLOS Global Public Health |
| title | Communication, inclusion and psychological wellbeing among deaf and hard of hearing children: A qualitative study in the Gaza Strip |
| title_full | Communication, inclusion and psychological wellbeing among deaf and hard of hearing children: A qualitative study in the Gaza Strip |
| title_fullStr | Communication, inclusion and psychological wellbeing among deaf and hard of hearing children: A qualitative study in the Gaza Strip |
| title_full_unstemmed | Communication, inclusion and psychological wellbeing among deaf and hard of hearing children: A qualitative study in the Gaza Strip |
| title_short | Communication, inclusion and psychological wellbeing among deaf and hard of hearing children: A qualitative study in the Gaza Strip |
| title_sort | communication inclusion and psychological wellbeing among deaf and hard of hearing children a qualitative study in the gaza strip |
| url | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10243624/?tool=EBI |
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