Deaf children's mental health difficulties: exploring experience and factors associated with the difficulties experienced by deaf children

Background and aims: Several studies have established that deaf children are more likely to experience mental health difficulties compared to their hearing peers. The most recent review on the mental health needs of deaf children was conducted in 2013. Some risk factors were identified, but these were largely rehabilitation-related. This review aims to build on the 2013 review and identify other potential risk factors and their pathways.

Methods: A systematic search found 25 studies from PsycInfo, PubMed, ASSIA, MEDLINE, and Web of Science. Findings were synthesised and grouped under parents and deaf children to explore their differing perspectives. Several themes were identified under each group.

Synthesis and discussion: Deaf children demonstrated higher levels of difficulties when compared to hearing peers, although with greater variations in the deaf sample. Rehabilitation-related factors emerged as the main theme for parents whereas, for deaf children, risk factors related to relationship difficulties emerged. Only one paper explored the possible underlying reasons for the individual differences in the deaf sample. Limitations, clinical and research implications are discussed.

Conclusions: The findings have shifted slightly from the previous review in relation to the variables used to measure mental health difficulties in deaf children. The underlying mechanisms are still lacking and these need to be to be investigated to understand individual differences in the deaf samples.