CSD 3000DEAFNESS IN SOCIETY

Topic 5FAMILY DYNAMICS

When a Child is Deaf

FamiliesDavid Luterman’s characteristics of

healthy families:Communication among all members is clear and

directRoles and responsibilities are clearly delineated

and the family allows for flexibility in role allocation

The family members accept limits for the resolution of conflict

Intimacy is prevalent and is a function of frequency, equal-powered transactions

There is a healthy balance between change and the maintenance of stability

Diagnosis

Stages of grief1. Denial

Deaf children look normal Deaf infants act normal Disagreement among professionals

Diagnosis

Stages of grief1. Denial2. Anger3. Depression4. Acceptance

“Welcome to Holland”

When Things go Wrong

Instead of acceptance: Overprotection Wishful Acceptance Indifference

Attitude, Attachment, and Coping

Coping1. Fathers experience similar degrees of stress as mothers

(Meadow-Orlans, 1994)2. Mothers of deaf children report higher levels of stress when

compared to mothers of hearing children (Quittner, Glueckauf, and Jackson, 1990)

3. Meadow-Orlans (1995) found that mother of deaf children report greater general life stress and depression compared to mothers of hearing children

4. Parents of children with additional disabilities experience higher levels of stress and depression (Meadow-Orlans, 1990) and these families are more likely to be characterized as dysfunctional (Powers, Elliot, Patterson, Shaw, and Taylor, 1995)

5. Parents using sign lang can be a moderator of stress (Hagborg, 1989)

6. Parental stress increases as the child becomes older (Hagorg, 1989)

Coping

Marital ConflictHigher divorce ratesHigher rates of marital dissatisfaction

Henggeler, Watson, Whelan, and Malone (1990)

Meadow-Orlans (1990)Essay 2.1

Child Behavior and Discipline

Deaf children miss out on the incidental learning of child behavior and discipline

Adams and Tidwell (1988 & 1989)Compared discipline strategies of parents

with deaf kids who considered themselves successful at handling their kids misbehavior compared to parents who did not consider themselves successful

Siblings

Negative traits: Anger Jealousy Embarrassment Guilt Sorrow Inadequacy Fear of the future Isolation

Siblings

Positive traits: Greater independence, patience, maturity,

responsibility, and compassion More tolerance and understanding Sense of pride Acceptance of responsibility Family closeness Unselfishness

Siblings

Support groups are able to allow normally hearing siblings to:

1. meet other siblings in a relaxed and enjoyable setting

2. find out that other siblings have the same questions, feelings, and concerns

3. share problems, ways to solve them, and ways to cope

4. get information about deafness and other disabilities and to answer questions

5. get information without involving parents6. obtain reassurance and support.