Prevalence of Emotional Disturbance in Children with Hearing Impairment and Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Present study aims to investigate the prevalence of emotional disturbance among children with hearing impairment and intellectually disabled. Sample of 67 children was collected from different rehabilitation centers of Karachi, Pakistan. Intellectually disabled were 35 and with hearing impairment were 32 children. Sample age range was 12 to 18 years with mean age of 14.98 years. One to one session was conducted with parents in order to get history of presenting problem of the child. After getting demographic information, proper instructions were given to a child and then Human Figure Drawing Test (HFD, Koppitz) was administered individually. Data was scored according to manual and was statistically analyzed. Findings reported the prevalence of emotional disturbance was found statistically significant in both intellectually disabled and children with hearing impairment. Further protocols showed various indications of psychiatric disorders i.e. poor integration of personality, intense anxieties, feeling of insecurity and hopelessness, aggression, impulsivity and poor self-image. It is concluded that intellectually disabled and children with hearing impairment are at high risk of emotional disturbance that is valid indication of psychiatric disorders.

The relationship between mental health conditions and hearing loss in low‐ and middle‐income countries

“…Comparisons have been made of the link between mental health and hearing loss and with other types of impairment. In a study conducted in Pakistan, 32 children (12–18 years) with hearing loss from rehabilitation centres were found to have a significantly higher risk of psychological conditions than the control group of children with intellectual disabilities [56]. In contrast, an Indian study by Singh et al (1988) found a similar proportion (15%) of 275 children (4–16 years) in each of three groups (hearing loss, visual impairment and controls) had classifiable mental health conditions (i.e.…”

“…Ten of these 12 studies provided evidence that the prevalence of mental disorders is higher in people with hearing loss than in comparison groups without hearing loss. Furthermore, Abbas and Reddy found that hearing loss was also associated with higher incidence of mental health conditions than conditions associated with other impairments [56]. Nehra et al (1997) found the severity of hearing loss was related to the improvement in mental function after intervention (hearing aids) [50].…”