Prevalence of emotional disturbance in children with hearing impairment and intellectual disability

Abstract

Present study aims to investigate the prevalence of emotional disturbance among children with hearing impairment and intellectually disabled. Sample of 67 children was collected from different rehabilitation centers of Karachi, Pakistan. Intellectually disabled were 35 and with hearing impairment were 32 children. Sample age range was 12 to 18 years with mean age of 14.98 years. One to one session was conducted with parents in order to get history of presenting problem of the child. After getting demographic information, proper instructions were given to a child and then Human Figure Drawing Test (HFD, Koppitz) was administered individually. Data was scored according to manual and was statistically analyzed. Findings reported the prevalence of emotional disturbance was found statistically significant in both intellectually disabled and children with hearing impairment. Further protocols showed various indications of psychiatric disorders i.e. poor integration of personality, intense anxieties, feeling of insecurity and hopelessness, aggression, impulsivity and poor self-image. It is concluded that intellectually disabled and children with hearing impairment are at high risk of emotional disturbance that is valid indication of psychiatric disorders.