Developmental Deafness And Psychopathology In Deaf Nigerian Children

ABSTRACT

The research investigated the presence of psychopathology in deaf Nigerian children. It also sought to determine the factors that may be responsible for the presence of psychopathology. Additionally the research investigated the possibility of deafness impacting on the psychopathological development of deaf children in age related ways.

Data for the study was drawn from a sample of six hundred and fifty seven (657) participants. These were made up of the children's group of four hundred and fifty seven (457) deaf and hearing children from ten schools in four states of Nigeria. The second group comprised of 100 parents of the deaf children and 100 parents of the hearing children. These formed the parents group.

The children's group responded to four psychological tests namely: Symptoms distress checklist_ (SCL 90), Index of family relations_(IFR), Nowicki--StricklandN- locus of control scale (N- SLCS), Hare self esteem scale-(HSS). These tests were designed to yield information regarding their mental health status, family relationship, locus of control, and self esteem.