Dyadic synchrony in deaf mothers and hearing infants

There is mounting evidence that maternal sensitivity contributes to optimal child development, but little is known about dyads including deaf mothers and their hearing infants. Deaf adults experience a range of adversities in their role as a parent, and it is unclear how these experiences influence early interactions with their child. Videos of 28 deaf mothers playing with their four-to-eight-month-old hearing infants were coded using the CARE-Index. Dyadic synchrony of most dyads were found to be sensitive or adequate. However, 21% of dyads were likely to benefit from education and/or intervention to increase sensitive interactions. Compared to the rest of the dyads, they displayed lower levels of maternal sensitivity and infant cooperativeness, as well as higher levels of maternal unresponsiveness and infant passivity. Results were influenced by socioeconomic status and potentially by vocal and social touch behaviour. Methodological, theoretical and clinical considerations are offered for professionals working with deaf mothers and their hearing infants.