Adolescence and deafness: experiences and expectations of hearing mothers and deaf children

Abstract

Introduction: The phase of the adolescence is a landmark in the life of a person; therefore, it is the time where many changes occur. In this phase, physical transformations happen such as the development of the sexual characters, corporal and stature modifications and psychological transformations, amongst others. Factors and questions appear that re-echo in the adolescent and in his/her family, beyond the search for identity and maturity and the end of this phase is a time where some decisions start being taken for the future life. Objective: To understand the living experience of hearing mothers and their deaf teenagers examining the changes faced during adolescence. Methods: The research had a qualitative approach and semi structured interviews were conducted with five mothers and their deaf teenager sons and daughters. They all attend a public rehabilitation service. Results: The results showed that deaf teenagers have similar behavior as the hearing ones. They search for their identity, emphasizing deaf identity. The mothers mentioned changes in their interests and the acquisition of typical teenager behaviors. They showed concern about their teenagers´ future, highlighting that they could study to be Sign Language interpreters, mainly because of their communicative ability in sign language. The teenagers, however, indicated different options related to their future professions. Conclusion: The teenagers seem to have a good adaptation related to the deafness, social and family living.