Theory of Mind Development in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Individuals : A Systematic Review
Martín, Leire (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)
Figueroa, Mario (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Bàsica, Evolutiva i de l'Educació)
de Diego-Lázaro, Beatriz (Universitat de Barcelona)
Balboa-Castells, Raquel (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Bàsica, Evolutiva i de l'Educació)
Morgan, Gary (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Bàsica, Evolutiva i de l'Educació)

Date:	2025
Description:	32 pàg.
Abstract:	Theory of Mind(ToM)is aconstruct that includes a range of connected abilities linked to the understanding of others' mental states. During the last three decades, ToM development has been studied extensively in deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) individuals and performances compared to the typically hearing (TH) population. Given the advances in the early diagnosis of deafness, interventions, and hearing devices over this period, variations in task performance among DHH participants might have been reduced. The current systematic review aims to synthesize all studies of ToM in DHH individuals and answer the following question: Do DHH individuals (Population), compared to a control sample of THand/or amongthemselves (Comparator), in an assessment of ToM (Intervention), have differentiated results (Outcome)? After a search of the literature, 97 papers were included. We found that, in general, TH participants outperformed their DHH peers in ToMmeasures; however, there was a wide range of results. Explanations for this variability included the quality of early interactions and early exposure to both signed and spoken language. The review also indicates that the understanding of false belief was the most studied component within ToM, while other components, such as understanding intention and irony, require further research. Implications of these findings for clinical practice are discussed.
Note:	Altres ajuts: This work was supported by the Foundation of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) through a doctoral school grant obtained by the first author, L.M.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Deaf ; Hard of hearing ; Theory of Mind ; False belief ; Signed language ; Cochlear implant ; Parent-child interactions
Published in:	Behavioral sciences, Vol. 15, Núm. 8 (2025) , art. e1065, ISSN 2076-328X

DOI: 10.3390/bs15081065
PMID: 40867422

32 p, 1.3 MB

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