Maternal identity of hearing mothers of deaf adolescents. Empirical studies - An interpersonal approach

Abstract

The maternal identity of mothers of adolescents who are deaf has certain specific features compared with mothers of adolescents who have typical hearing. That is, maternal identity differs with respect to distinctiveness, self-representation, and representation of mother-child relationships. A study using a comparative paradigm was conducted. The scores obtained on these dimensions from 41 mothers of adolescents who are deaf were compared with the scores of 40 mothers of adolescents with typical hearing. Each mother was studied individually ("face to face") and both parametric and nonparametric statistics were used to analyze the data. Results indicate that the maternal identities of mothers of adolescents with hearing loss and those of adolescents with typical hearing did not differ in distinctiveness. Differences were found on dimensions of sensitivity, disability, and inventiveness, where the mothers of adolescents with hearing loss scored higher on these dimensions. In addition, behavioral features of the relationship with adolescents who are deaf dominated, which is associated with a more distinct maternal identity.mothers of adolescents with typical hearing, more distinct maternal identity is associated with the emotional meaning of the mother-child relationship. Further discussion is offered on the significance of the different dimensions of maternal identity for the psychological functioning of mothers of adolescents who are deaf as well as the adolescents themselves suggesting that mothers of adolescents who are deaf should seek help in facilitating the development of maternal identity-in other words, to become a mother of her own child with hearing loss.