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Language deprivation syndrome: a possible neurodevelopmental disorder with sociocultural origins

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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

There is a need to better understand the epidemiological relationship between language development and psychiatric symptomatology. Language development can be particularly impacted by social factors—as seen in the developmental choices made for deaf children, which can create language deprivation. A possible mental health syndrome may be present in deaf patients with severe language deprivation.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched to identify publications focusing on language development and mental health in the deaf population. Screening of relevant publications narrowed the search results to 35 publications.

Results

Although there is very limited empirical evidence, there appears to be suggestions of a mental health syndrome by clinicians working with deaf patients. Possible features include language dysfluency, fund of knowledge deficits, and disruptions in thinking, mood, and/or behavior.

Conclusion

The clinical specialty of deaf mental health appears to be struggling with a clinically observed phenomenon that has yet to be empirically investigated and defined within the DSM. Descriptions of patients within the clinical setting suggest a language deprivation syndrome. Language development experiences have an epidemiological relationship with psychiatric outcomes in deaf people. This requires more empirical attention and has implications for other populations with behavioral health disparities as well.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by the Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School and grant no. K12 GM106997 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health. The authors thank Jacqueline Pransky and Peter Hauser, PhD for insights and feedback during the writing process. The authors specially thank Douglas Ziedonis, MD, MPH for conceptualization assistance and initial sponsorship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical & Translational Science Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA

    Wyatte C. Hall

  2. Lamar Soutter Library, Department of Education and Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Leonard L. Levin

  3. Systems and Psychosocial Advances Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Wyatte C. Hall & Melissa L. Anderson

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  1. Wyatte C. Hall
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  2. Leonard L. Levin
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Correspondence to Wyatte C. Hall.

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Hall, W.C., Levin, L.L. & Anderson, M.L. Language deprivation syndrome: a possible neurodevelopmental disorder with sociocultural origins. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 52, 761–776 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-017-1351-7

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