Challenges impacting professional capacity to assess the social-emotional functioning of deaf and hard of hearing youth : a qualitative study

textThe role of the practitioner assessing social-emotional functioning of deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) youth is complex and requires extensive cultural, linguistic, and educational training. The range of required competencies, the insufficient number of professionals currently in practice, the dire need for service provision, and the ultimate influence of service provision on youth functioning merit deeper exploration of the challenges faced while assessing social-emotional functioning. This study employs a grounded theory approach to analyze semi-structured interview data from 13 school- and community-based professionals to explore challenges related to the assessment and conceptualization of social-emotional functioning of DHH youth. Seven key categories emerged from the data: challenges in early training and supervision, challenges in gathering sufficient background information, dual challenges in employing specialized assessment and therapy techniques, challenges in writing descriptions of youth functioning, challenges in working with interpreters, and the need for professional support. Future directions and implications for future generations of practitioners are discussed.Educational Psycholog

The Art of Managing Expectations: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors as Mediators of Expectations between Clients who are Deaf and Potential Employers

Services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) often include tailored strategies for successful employment placement. Using Oliver’s (1980) Expectation Confirmation Theory, this study utilized exploratory and confirmatory analyses of semi-structured interviews of 10 VR professionals to examine their view of the role expectations play in their assessment of important factors that lead to successful outcomes for DHH clients. Analysis revealed a complex, multilevel system in which VRCs operate as active mediators of the expectations of both clients who are DHH and their potential employers

Trauma and the use of formal and informal resources in the deaf population: perspectives from mental health service providers

Using grounded theory analysis, the current study identifies the perspectives of therapists and counselors regarding the nature of informal and formal resources supporting the treatment of deaf individuals with trauma. Nineteen counselors and therapists were interviewed, and accessibility, formal support, informal networks, and gaps in resources were identified as salient themes. Subsequent analysis identified concerns with confidentiality as a strong theme. This study emphasizes the need for counselors and therapists to become mindful of utilizing resources to support the treatment of trauma while being concerned with confidentiality

Culturally responsive adaptations to trauma identification and treatment with deaf and hard of hearing youth

Traumatic experiences occur often in the lives of children and adolescents; in fact, up to two-thirds of experience at least one or more traumatic events before adulthood. For children and adolescents who are d/Deaf or hard or hearing (DHH), research suggests that rates of interpersonal abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, and bullying, are much higher than that experienced by hearing counterparts. Available literature discusses trauma symptom presentation and effective therapy practices with DHH adults, but little description is available regarding DHH children and adolescents. Nineteen Deaf Mental Health Care (DMHC) providers completed a 29-item Demographic Survey and responded to 17 semi-structured interview questions regarding their conceptualizations of trauma within DHH child and adolescent populations, their perspectives on client presentations and contributing factors, and their approaches to trauma identification and treatment. Using a Grounded Theory approach to data analysis, this study explored overall results as well as comparisons and contrasts between participants. Fourteen themes emerged as findings to this study, and within each theme, cultural differences between deaf and hearing participants were explored. Overall findings include: participants’ identification of communication and familial isolation experiences as highly traumatic, various indicators of trauma within cognitive, behavioral, affective, interpersonal, intrapersonal domains of functioning, and clear preference for the clinical interview as a trauma identification tool. Deaf specific findings include: emphasis on behavioral-physical indicators of trauma and emphasis on treatments that include important development of decision-making, and personal agency. Hearing specific findings include: emphasis on degree of interpersonal struggle. Limitations and future directions are discussed.Educational Psycholog

The Art of Managing Expectations: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors as Mediators of Expectations between Clients who are Deaf and Potential Employers

Services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) often include tailored strategies for successful employment placement. Using Oliver’s (1980) Expectation Confirmation Theory, this study utilized exploratory and confirmatory analyses of semi-structured interviews of 10 VR professionals to examine their view of the role expectations play in their assessment of important factors that lead to successful outcomes for DHH clients. Analysis revealed a complex, multilevel system in which VRCs operate as active mediators of the expectations of both clients who are DHH and their potential employers

Trauma and the use of formal and informal resources in the deaf population: perspectives from mental health service providers

Using grounded theory analysis, the current study identifies the perspectives of therapists and counselors regarding the nature of informal and formal resources supporting the treatment of deaf individuals with trauma. Nineteen counselors and therapists were interviewed, and accessibility, formal support, informal networks, and gaps in resources were identified as salient themes. Subsequent analysis identified concerns with confidentiality as a strong theme. This study emphasizes the need for counselors and therapists to become mindful of utilizing resources to support the treatment of trauma while being concerned with confidentiality