title: A Pilot Study of Deaf Trauma Survivors' Experiences: Early Traumas Unique to Being Deaf in a Hearing World.
abstract: Conducting semi-structured American Sign Language interviews with 17 Deaf trauma survivors, this pilot study explored Deaf individuals' trauma experiences and whether these experiences generally align with trauma in the hearing population. Most commonly reported traumas were physical assault, sudden unexpected deaths, and "other" very stressful events. Although some "other" events overlap with traumas in the general population, many are unique to Deaf people (e.g., corporal punishment at oral/aural school if caught using sign language, utter lack of communication with hearing parents). These findings suggest that Deaf individuals may experience developmental traumas distinct to being raised in a hearing world. Such traumas are not captured by available trauma assessments, nor are they considered in evidence-based trauma treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Systems & Psychosocial Advances Research Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 222 Maple Avenue, Chang Building, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Systems & Psychosocial Advances Research Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 222 Maple Avenue, Chang Building, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, USA; Connecticut Department of Developmental Services, Newington, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Wolf Craig
authors.affiliation: National Center for Deaf Health Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Wyatte C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Systems & Psychosocial Advances Research Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 222 Maple Avenue, Chang Building, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ziedonis
keywords: Deaf and hard-of-hearing community; Developmental trauma; Life Events Checklist; PTSD; Posttraumatic stress disorder