The psychosocial status of deaf and hard-of-hearing adolescents in mainstream schools

• In Sweden, as in many other industrialised countries, the official stance is an inclusive school promotes an integrated society and creates supportive local communities. Lack of attention to mental well-being of adolescents may lead to mental ill-health that may endure for the rest of an individual´s life. Many deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) adolescents in mainstream schools become depresses, have more illness and often have poorer health and develop a negative self-image. This self reported survey study, which used a cross-sectional, quantitative approach, is one of the first studies to address these issues. The sample for this study consisted of 5798 adolescents (235 DHH, 221 DHH with additional disabilites, 5342 hearing) attending compulsory and upper-secondary schools in Sweden. The results showed that adolescents without DHH have higher well-being, fewer somatic problems and lower mental ill-health than adolescents with DHH.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi -- Socialt arbete (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology -- Social Work (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Hard of hearing

deaf

well-being

mental ill-health

adolescents

socialt arbete

Social Work

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)