The Quality of the Parent-Child Relationship and Social Functioning in Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and Typically Hearing Children

Abstract The parent-child relationship (PCR) is likely the first close bond most children form during childhood. Yet, hearing loss in early childhood can make these interactions, particularly regarding emotional bonding, challenging for parent-child dyads in which the parent is hearing. The aim of this study was to examine the PCR quality in Chinese deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) and typically-hearing (TH) children, and its relationship with children’s social functioning. This study consisted of 103 Chinese DHH and 138 TH children aged 2 to 7 years (mean age = 4.82 years, SD = 1.21). Parents, who were all hearing, completed the Child-Parent Relationship Scale (positive interactions; conflict; dependency (Pianta et al., 1991) and both parents and teachers the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (externalizing behaviors; social competence (Goodman, 2001). DHH children’s parents reported similar levels of parent-child conflict and dependency as TH children’s parents, but fewer positive interactions. This group difference disappeared when parents’ socioeconomic status was controlled for. For all children, no association appeared between parent-child positive interactions and children’s social functioning, but more parent-child conflict and dependency were associated with lower social competence and more externalizing behaviors. The results showed that PCR quality was consistent across all children and similarly linked to their social functioning. These outcomes shed light on the role of parent-child interactions in children’s social functioning, underscoring the prominence of future research and early interventions. DHH children and their (hearing) parents and/or families with lower SES may benefit from more joint leisure activities to build positive bonding.