New research led by Australian Catholic University (ACU) reveals that children with hearing difficulties who struggle with reading are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues. This groundbreaking study, led by Dr. Andrea Salins from ACU’s Australian Center for the Advancement of Literacy, is the first to explore the connection between reading difficulties and mental health in children with reported ear and hearing difficulties (rEHD).
The research, published in the Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, highlights the co-occurrence of low reading ability and mental health challenges in children with rEHD, shedding light on a previously unexplored area.
Dr. Salins emphasized that the findings provide new insights into the complex relationship between literacy and mental health in children with hearing impairments. “This is the first study to demonstrate a relationship between the two in these children,” she explained.
While hearing difficulties often prompt monitoring of children’s literacy development, Dr. Salins suggests that mental health should also be a focus. “Our results suggest that in addition to literacy, it is important to also monitor mental health symptoms,” she said.
The study analyzed data from over 15,000 children aged 5 to 11 across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Among the key findings:
- Children with rEHD showed lower reading skills and significantly higher levels of anxiety, attention problems, peer difficulties, and behavioral issues compared to their typically developing peers. However, the strength of the associations between reading difficulties and mental health problems was similar in both groups.
- Poor reading skills at ages 7 or 9 were linked to increased mental health symptoms at ages 9 or 11.
- Attention problems at age 5 were connected to reading difficulties at age 7.
- Children with poor reading skills at age 7 were more likely to experience attention issues, peer relationship problems, depression, anxiety, behavioral difficulties, and bullying by ages 9 or 11.
- A low opinion of themselves as readers was associated with poor reading ability at age 7.
Dr. Salins noted that while the link between reading difficulties and poor mental health outcomes is well-established for children without hearing difficulties, this new research points to a potentially harmful cycle for children with rEHD. “It is possible that problems such as disruptive behaviors in the classroom could be related not just to students’ hearing problems, but also to their reading difficulties,” she said.
The study suggests that poor reading can lead to anxiety, negative self-perceptions of reading ability, and difficulties in peer relationships, which may be exacerbated by inattention and behavioral issues. This cycle of poor reading and mental health problems underscores the need for early intervention.
Dr. Salins stressed the importance of early literacy instruction, introducing books at a young age, and encouraging reading activities to help children develop positive literacy experiences. She also emphasized the need to monitor mental health in children with hearing difficulties to prevent the negative cycle from continuing.
The research team, which included Professor Genevieve McArthur and Dr. Serje Robidoux of ACU, as well as Dr. Alana Jones from Macquarie University, plans to further explore the link between reading difficulties and mental health issues in children with varying degrees of hearing impairment.
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