The study titled "Use of the Brief Shame and Guilt Questionnaire in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Adolescents" by Broekhof et al. (2017) presents crucial insights into the emotional development of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). This blog aims to guide practitioners in implementing the findings of this study to improve their therapeutic interventions.
Key Findings of the Study
The research validated the Brief Shame and Guilt Questionnaire (BSGQ) for DHH children, confirming that these children can reliably distinguish between shame and guilt. The study involved 225 hearing children and 108 DHH children, aged between 9 and 15 years.
- DHH children reported lower levels of shame and guilt compared to their hearing peers.
- Higher levels of shame were associated with increased social anxiety and lower self-esteem.
- Higher levels of guilt were associated with lower levels of delinquency and psychopathic behaviors.
Implications for Practitioners
These findings underscore the importance of addressing self-conscious emotions in DHH children to foster better social and emotional outcomes. Here are some actionable steps for practitioners:
- Use the BSGQ: Incorporate the BSGQ in your assessments to measure shame and guilt accurately in DHH children.
- Focus on Emotional Education: Develop programs that teach DHH children about self-conscious emotions and their implications.
- Encourage Social Interactions: Facilitate more social interactions for DHH children to help them learn social norms and develop emotional competence.
- Monitor Emotional Health: Regularly assess the emotional well-being of DHH children to identify issues like low self-esteem and social anxiety early.
Encouraging Further Research
The study opens the door for further research into the behavioral consequences of lower levels of self-conscious emotions in DHH children. Future studies could investigate the longitudinal relationships between these emotions and social or behavioral difficulties.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Use of the Brief Shame and Guilt Questionnaire in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Adolescents.
