Comparación del desempeño social en niños con sordera profunda y audición normal, según distintos informantes

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the relevance of an optimal social development at early ages and its particularities in deaf children, this study aimed to compare the children's social competence with profound deafness and normal hearing depending on sex and age, examining also the role of socioeconomic status. Method: Participants were 32 children with profound deafness and 32 children with normal hearing, from 7 to 12 years old, who were attending educational or therapeutic institutions of the city of Córdoba (Argentina), also participated parents (n = 64) and teachers (n = 15). The MESSY scale was used to assess social behavior in their versions for the teacher and for children, and also was applied a sociodemographic questionnaire to tutors. Results: Considering the auto-evaluation were not significant differences of group, the group of children with deafness showed higher levels of social inadequacy. While according to the evaluation of teachers, children with and without deafness have similar levels of social inadequacy. With regard to socioeconomic status, were not observed statistically significant differences. Discussion: The results were different according to the informant in question. In general, profound deafness is not an impediment to the development of social skills. We discuss the importance of considering other contextual factors, not just socioeconomic indicators. © Education & Psychology I+D+i and Editorial EOS (Spain).