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Motor performance and correlates of mental health in children who are deaf or hard of hearing
Author(s) -
Fellinger Matthäus J,
Holzinger Daniel,
Aigner Martin,
Beitel Christoph,
Fellinger Johannes
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.12814
Subject(s) - audiology , psychology , balance (ability) , strengths and difficulties questionnaire , psychological intervention , motor skill , population , motor impairment , mental health , hearing loss , nonverbal communication , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , psychiatry , environmental health , neuroscience
Aim This cross‐sectional study investigates the relationship between motor performance and mental health in a representative population of children with hearing impairment. Method Ninety‐three pupils (45 males, 48 females) aged 6 years to 16 years (mean 11y 3mo, SD 2y 9mo) with hearing impairment of at least 40d B and a Nonverbal IQ greater than 70 were assessed for motor performance with the Z ürich N euromotor A ssessment ( ZNA ) and for mental health with the parent version of the S trengths and D ifficulties Q uestionnaire (SDQ). Results Children with hearing impairment had lower motor performance scores in all four ZNA subscales compared with ZNA norms ( z ‐scores −1.42 to −2.67). After controlling for Nonverbal IQ , ZNA pure motor performance correlated negatively with the SDQ total difficulties score. Pure motor, pegboard, and dynamic balance subscales correlated negatively with peer‐relationship problems. Dynamic balance correlated negatively with emotional problems. Performance in pure motor and dynamic balance skills correlated negatively with age. Except for static balance, no correlation was found between motor performance and the degree of hearing impairment. Interpretation Results confirm that a high percentage of children with hearing impairment have poor motor performance. These problems are associated with difficulties in social relationships. Early recognition of these problems may lead to interventions to assist children with hearing impairment with their peer relationships.