The Adaptation Process in Mothers with Deaf Children: A Grounded Theory Study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Due to the effects that the deaf child has on the mother's daily life, achieving a deep understanding of the adaptation process in mothers is essential. Because the phenomenon of adaptation is process, interactive, social and cultural, therefore, the present study was performed with the aim of discovering the process of adaptation of mother to deaf child. Method: This study was conducted with a qualitative approach and grounded theory method. 28 mothers, fathers and audiometry and speech therapy experts participated in the study through purposeful and theoretical sampling in Ardabil Welfare Rehabilitation Centers and Ardabil and Tabriz Deaf Association. Data collection continued through interviews (unstructured or semi-structured) and field observations and observations until a new concept or dimension and a new feature were added to the classes. A total of 30 interviews were conducted with 28 participants. After settling in the field of research and initial acquaintance with mothers, the participants who cooperated better were included in the study according to the following criteria: Satisfaction with participating in the study and presenting their experiences, being able to communicate and tolerate interviews, being able to understand Persian or Turkish (the researcher's mother tongue) and having only one deaf child with a deafness. Data collection tools were interview and observation. Notes in the field and reminders were also used. Data were analyzed by Corbin and Strauss (2008) method in a comparative and continuous manner simultaneously with data collection and MAXQDA10 software. . Results: Data analysis showed that the main problem of the participants during the adaptation to the deaf child is "concern about the child's inability to communicate". Concerns about the child's inability to communicate varied at different stages from the time the child was diagnosed with the cochlear implant and the use of hearing aids. It reached its maximum before implantation and use of hearing aids and decreased in the time after the start of use of hearing aids (hearing aids and prosthetic earphones) but did not disappear completely. Because they thought that the child's ability to speak depends entirely on the hearing aid and the phone after implantation. It was found that the ups and downs of the family in diagnosis, feeling of social tightness and limitation and suspension between fear and hope are the underlying factors affecting mothers' concerns about the child's inability to communicate. Mothers use strategies of relative self-discovery, sacrificing themselves and other family members, and seeking help to address concerns. After continuous and rotating analysis of the data and reviewing all the statements of the parents, "trying to integrate the child into society" as the central class of the process of adaptation of mother to deaf child became apparent that connected these classes.

Conclusion: The findings showed that the outcome of the present study is living in the shadow of worries. Despite acknowledging the reality of the child's deafness and the widespread and comprehensive support for the child's integration into society, the lives of these mothers are worrying. In their absence, "what awaits the deaf child?”. These mothers experience a variety of concerns about the nature of deafness, social problems, and the future life of the child. In other words, the stress of giving birth to a deaf child is not something that can be erased from the mother's mind over time. It is a bitter experience and it accompanies him throughout his life. The process of life of mothers with deaf children takes place in a bed of ambiguity and anxiety. Because after diagnosing a child's deafness, they always live in the shadow of the child's deafness. Concerns about marriage, education, employment, and prosthetic function are common concerns for mothers with deaf children in the future. Overall, the findings show that concerns overshadow all aspects of this group of mothers' lives and may impair their ability to support and rehabilitate their children. Therefore, due to the numerous concerns of mothers with deaf children, it is necessary to pay attention to the emotional, emotional and psychological dimensions of mothers in rehabilitation programs and routine services for these children. Therefore, due to the numerous concerns of mothers with deaf children, it is necessary to pay attention to the emotional, emotional and psychological dimensions of mothers in rehabilitation programs and routine services for these children.