A Study on Hopelessness Levels in Children With and Without Hearing Impairment

Abstract

This study, which was conducted to determine the factors affecting hopelessness levels of children with and without hearing impairment, has been carried out with a total of 161 children (81 children with hearing impairment and 80 children without hearing impairment) in the age range of 10-17 years. The Beck Hopelessness Scale and General Information Form were used to collect data. As a result of the study, it has been concluded that age is effective in the hopelessness levels of both children with and without hearing impairment. There are no differences between different sexes in terms of hopelessness. Receiving pre-school education, subscale of feelings about the future, and hearing impairment create a difference on hopelessness levels of children. The hopelessness levels of children who have a member of family with any disability are higher compared to other children. The age of parents has no effect on hopelessness levels. Children with hearing impairment are more hopeless compared to other children. Educational level and employment status of mother create no differences between both groups in terms of hopelessness levels, while educational level and employment status of father affect hopelessness levels of children.