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Finding Friends Online: Online Activities by Deaf Students and Their Well-Being

Author

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  • Helen Blom
  • Marc Marschark
  • Mathijs P J Vervloed
  • Harry Knoors

Abstract

Generally, deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) children have fewer friends than hearing peers and their friendships are of a lower quality. The research hypothesis was that using the computer to communicate with new online friends through social network sites or playing games with offline friends is associated with D/HH friendship qualities, because it removes certain communication barriers D/HH face in offline communication settings. With online questionnaires the relation between computer use and online, mixed (offline friend who you also speak in online settings), and offline friendship quality of D/HH and hearing students (18–25 years) was compared in both the Netherlands (n = 100) and the United States (n = 122). In addition, the study examined whether the different friendship qualities were related to the participants' well-being. Results showed that, in general, D/HH students' friendship qualities and levels of well-being were similar to their hearing peers. The quality of the mixed friendships was positively related to well-being. Furthermore, the frequency of pc use with both online and offline friends was positively related to friendships qualities in both hearing and D/HH students. A combination of the online and offline friendship seems to be the most important friendship type for both hearing and D/HH students and it is worthwhile to encourage this friendship type.

Suggested Citation

  • Helen Blom & Marc Marschark & Mathijs P J Vervloed & Harry Knoors, 2014. "Finding Friends Online: Online Activities by Deaf Students and Their Well-Being," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(2), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0088351
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088351
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    1. Powdthavee, Nattavudh, 2008. "Putting a price tag on friends, relatives, and neighbours: Using surveys of life satisfaction to value social relationships," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 37(4), pages 1459-1480, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chonggao Wang & Wangqian Fu & Kangjie Geng & Yan Wang, 2023. "The Relationship Between Deaf Adolescents’ Empathy and Subjective Well-Being in China During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Inconsistent Role of Peer Support and Teacher Support," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(5), pages 1913-1940, October.
    2. repec:eur:ejserj:473 is not listed on IDEAS

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