Subject Area
Social Work
Abstract
This research studied the impacts of child maltreatment on 87 deaf adults' use of substances, anxiety and depression, involvement in victimization and perpetration of intimate partner violence, age, gender identity, and parental language use. After IRB approval, participants completed an online survey about experiences of childhood maltreatment and its effects on their lives. Results showed that the sample: a) had low to moderate incidence of childhood physical abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect, b) reported mild levels of anxiety and depression, c) included 32.5% who met the threshold for IPV victimization and/or perpetration, d) relatively low levels of sexual abuse (12%) and physical abuse (6%) in deaf schools and programs, e) significant differences in age on alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms, f) higher levels of depression among those who identified as queer/nonbinary, and g) higher incidence of physical neglect of those who used Signed Exact English, Pidgin Signed English or another non-ASL sign language with their parents. The researcher recommends further study with populations within the deaf community, including deaf individuals who identify as gender nonconforming, older deaf adults, and those who use SEE, PSE, or other non-ASL sign languages.
Recommended Citation
Crowe, T. (2024). The Effects of Childhood Maltreatment in a Sample of Deaf Adults. JADARA, 56(2), 2-32. Retrieved from https://nsuworks.nova.edu/jadara/vol56/iss2/2
