Spontaneous Helping Behavior of (Pre-)adolescents With and Without Hearing Loss

Individuals with hearing loss (HL) have a range of social difficulties. Previous studies are suggesting that individuals with HL have fewer communication opportunities in comparison to typically hearing (TH) individuals, therefore have problems developing social strategies and competence. However, research is still lacking for prosociality in (pre-)adolescence with HL. The current study investigated spontaneous helping behavior in (pre-)adolescents with and without hearing loss, while also taking looking and smiling behaviors into account as prerequisite non-verbal communicative cues. 233 (pre-)adolescents between the ages of ten and sixteen took part in the study (Mean age= 146.71 months, SD=17.04), out of which 177 were TH and 56 had HL. Our results demonstrated that individuals with and without HL did not differ in their looking, smiling and spontaneous helping behaviors. There was no difference found in the target prosocial behavior between the different genders, parental...Show moreIndividuals with hearing loss (HL) have a range of social difficulties. Previous studies are suggesting that individuals with HL have fewer communication opportunities in comparison to typically hearing (TH) individuals, therefore have problems developing social strategies and competence. However, research is still lacking for prosociality in (pre-)adolescence with HL. The current study investigated spontaneous helping behavior in (pre-)adolescents with and without hearing loss, while also taking looking and smiling behaviors into account as prerequisite non-verbal communicative cues. 233 (pre-)adolescents between the ages of ten and sixteen took part in the study (Mean age= 146.71 months, SD=17.04), out of which 177 were TH and 56 had HL. Our results demonstrated that individuals with and without HL did not differ in their looking, smiling and spontaneous helping behaviors. There was no difference found in the target prosocial behavior between the different genders, parental education levels, or school types. Furthermore, age at amplification was found unrelated to looking and helping behaviors. Given our non-significant findings, we discuss the possible limitations of our research design such as group imbalances and lack of emphasis on certain individual differences, and address the literature gap in this particular clinical group during (pre-)adolescence.Show less

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Spontaneous Helping Behavior of (Pre-)adolescents With and Without Hearing Loss