The effects of adverse childhood experiences on deaf adults

This study examined childhood adversity, exploitation-related experiences, intimate partner violence (IPV), substance use, and anxiety/depressive symptoms among deaf and hard-of-hearing adults. Data came from an anonymous online survey completed by 140 participants. Descriptive analyses showed that participants reported childhood maltreatment across multiple domains, with sexual abuse reported most frequently. More than one-quarter screened positive for IPV victimization, and a substantial proportion screened positive for elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. Some participants also reported abuse within deaf educational settings and endorsed items related to possible commercial sexual exploitation of children, although these findings were based on small subgroup sizes and are best understood as preliminary. Exploratory analyses showed that childhood trauma scores were positively associated with anxiety/depressive symptoms, IPV victimization, and IPV perpetration. These findings highlight the need for trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically accessible services and further deaf-centered research on childhood adversity and exploitation.