Thank you for providing these.
You merely provided links to the articles that state how
among the deaf population there is higher prevalence of mental illness than in the general population, and that's it.
But in no way it says it is specifically related to the parents who do not want to use ASL, sorry.
to let you know, to read the first article you need to log in (I don't) (and maybe pay) if you want to open it.
In the second article it wasn't so much about prevalence of mental illness among deaf as generally about disabilities among deaf, so not what we are looking for.
the third article was indeed a little interesting b/c it says:
Mental health problems seemed most prevalent in families with poor parent-child communication.
unfortunately, it doesn't says whether or not "poor communication" means that in these families were just poor communication - like, as in dysfunctional families, or specifically it means poor hearing to deaf communication- which would be what we are looking for.
it doesn't says which. just "poor".
another interesting and significant albeit sad bit is:
Deaf children with relatively low intelligence showed more social problems, thought problems, and attention problems than those with relatively high intelligence.
which reminds me a case of Hellen Keller who was first suspected of low intelligence, later showed she was just deaf and blind.
however, it's true, if one have problem expressing yourself and understanding others due to one's - I am sorry, I don't want be harsh but don't know how to better express this - limited mental capabilities, one do tend to be more frustrated and easily upset.
The fourth is basically the praises for colleagues who discovered that 1. it is better to communicate with deaf in sign language,
2. there is connection "between family patterns and social- intellectual-linguistic development of deaf children.
again, nothing specific about the use or not of ASL by the hearing parents.
the fifth concerns the review of literature about the subject of deafness and mental illness and various similar subjects.
The sixth basically says the deaf people need better access to health care.
this is interesting bit:
Research into factors affecting mental health of deaf children shows that early access to effective communication with family members and peers is desirable. Improved access to health and mental health care can be achieved by provision of specialist services with professionals trained to directly communicate with deaf people and with sign-language interpreters.
they go on and on like that, but none of them states that parents who wont
use sign langue are responsible for mental illness of deaf individuals.
it's just isn't that simple.
I do believe it plays a role, but it isn't one single factor that causes emotional distress or mental illness in the life of a deaf person.
can honestly any one person on this board say yes, it was ONLY the lack of my parents ASL that ruined my life?
how about friends, school, work, even just going out there to the store etc etc that contribute to your distress and emotional breakdown?
Fuzzy
