Self-Reported Well-Being and Health Among Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Adolescents in Mainstream Schools: A Swedish School Survey Study

TL;DR

Deaf and hard-of-hearing teens in mainstream schools report worse well-being and health than their hearing peers, with those having additional disabilities faring the worst.

Contribution

This study provides population-based insights into the well-being and health of DHH adolescents, including those with additional disabilities, in Swedish mainstream schools.

Findings

DHH adolescents report poorer well-being and more health complaints than hearing peers.

DHH adolescents with additional disabilities show the lowest perceived teacher support and worst outcomes.

Girls, especially those with disabilities, report worse well-being and more health complaints than boys.

Abstract

What are the main findings?
Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) adolescents in mainstream schools report poorer well-being and higher levels of somatic and mental health complaints than hearing peers.DHH adolescents with additional disabilities consistently show the poorest outcomes, including the lowest levels of perceived teacher support.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) adolescents in mainstream schools report poorer well-being and higher levels of somatic and mental health complaints than hearing peers.

DHH adolescents with additional disabilities consistently show the poorest outcomes, including the lowest levels of perceived teacher support.

What are the implications of the main findings?
Teacher support and communication-sensitive teaching practices are critical targets for promoting well-being among DHH adolescents in mainstream schools.Early identification of somatic and mental health complaints in school settings may help prevent long-term health inequalities among adolescents with hearing loss.

Teacher support and communication-sensitive teaching practices are critical targets for promoting well-being among DHH adolescents in mainstream schools.

Early identification of somatic and mental health complaints in school settings may help prevent long-term health inequalities among adolescents with hearing loss.

Background: Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) adolescents in mainstream schools may face communication barriers and social challenges that can affect their well-being and health. However, population-based knowledge based on adolescents’ own reports—particularly including those with additional disabilities—remains limited. The aim of this study was to assess self-reported well-being, mental health complaints, somatic complaints, and perceived teacher support among DHH adolescents in Swedish mainstream schools and to compare these outcomes with those of hearing adolescents and DHH adolescents with additional disabilities. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on data from the Swedish school survey Liv och Hälsa Ung (Life and Health of Young People). The sample comprised 5923 adolescents aged 13–18 years attending grades 7 and 9 in compulsory school and year 2 in upper-secondary school. Outcomes included well-being (WHO-5 or a single-item measure for grade 7), mental health complaints, somatic complaints, and perceived teacher support. Group differences by hearing status, additional disability, gender, and school level were examined using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Hearing adolescents reported higher well-being, fewer somatic complaints, fewer mental health complaints, and higher perceived teacher support compared with DHH adolescents. DHH adolescents with additional disabilities consistently reported the poorest outcomes across all domains. For example, perceived teacher support was significantly lower among DHH adolescents with additional disabilities (M = 3.66, 95% CI [3.54–3.78]) compared with hearing adolescents (M = 4.01, 95% CI [3.99–4.03]). Across all groups, girls, particularly those with disabilities, reported poorer well-being and higher levels of somatic and mental health complaints than boys. Conclusions: The findings highlight substantial health disparities among adolescents with hearing loss in mainstream schools, especially among those with additional disabilities. Perceived teacher support emerged as an important contextual factor and may represent a key target for school-based interventions aimed at promoting well-being and mental health among DHH adolescents.