Peer victimization experienced by children and adolescents who are deaf or hard of hearing

PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e52174. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052174. Epub 2012 Dec 19.

Abstract

Victimization is a relatively common, yet serious problem, with potentially severe consequences for children's psychosocial and academic functioning. Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) may be at a higher risk for victimization than hearing children. The aims of the present study were to compare DHH and hearing children on i) self-reported experiences of victimization and ii) associations between victimization, parental- and child variables. In total 188 children (mean age 11;11 years) from the Netherlands and Dutch-speaking part of Belgium participated in the study. No difference between DHH and hearing children were found on general experiences of victimization. However, differences between the groups were found on specific forms of experienced victimization and on the associations between victimization and parental variables. For DHH children, parental sensitivity and parents who challenge their DHH children to become competent in the practical, emotional, cognitive and social domain is associated with them being less victimized. For hearing children at this age these relations were reversed, absent or more complex. Finally, DHH children in special schools were more victimized than DHH children in regular schools. It can be concluded that parents can play an important role in reducing social problems experienced by DHH children and young adolescents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Belgium
  • Bullying*
  • Child
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Peer Group
  • Persons With Hearing Impairments / statistics & numerical data*

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme (a VIDI grant) by The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), no. 452-07-004 to Carolien Rieffe. Funder's website: http://www.nwo.nl/nwohome.nsf/pages/SPPD_5R2QE7_Eng. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.