2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference

March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH

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 Qualitative analysis of parent interviews to inform the systematic adaptation of a behavioral parent training program for families with deaf or hard of hearing children

In over 30 years of published research studies, behavioral parent training (BPT) programs have consistently demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness in addressing behavior problems in young children and in preventing the costly consequences of those behavioral challenges. Despite evidence that deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children are at increased risk for disruptive behavioral problems compared to their typical hearing peers, they are less likely to receive behavioral interventions. The objective of this study was to conduct an in-depth qualitative thematic analysis of 40 parent interviews to inform the systematic adaptation of an evidence-based BPT intervention, The Family Check-Up (FCU), to increase its acceptability and effectiveness for families with preschool-aged DHH children. In accordance with qualitative standards, the number of parents recruited was based on the dual goal of reaching saturation and achieving representation of several different types of parents, with at least 2-3 participants representing each of the following key demographics: annual household income level, education level, parent age, level of parent concern about the child’s behaviors, child’s hearing loss level, and type of hearing rehabilitative device. Parents were recruited to participate in interviews through advertising on social media and in pediatric hearing healthcare practices and were compensated for their participation. Semi-structured interview guides included questions assessing (1) parents’ perceptions of the need for a BPT intervention; (2) their preferences for FCU-DHH delivery (e.g., qualities and characteristics of the person delivering the intervention, location of program delivery); and (3) potential adaptations that would make a BPT program more relatable and useful to families with DHH children, including guidance on communication methods, child advocacy skills, and child development milestones. Results of qualitative analyses of interview transcripts informed the intervention and training protocols for an adapted “FCU-DHH” program, currently being tested in an ongoing hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial.

  • Describe the process for adapting the Family Check-Up (FCU) program for families with DHH children
  • Describe parents’ preferences for FCU-DHH interventionists
  • Describe the key adaptations to the FCU-DHH program

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Presenter: Jate Bernard

Jate Bernard is a second-year medical student at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine with an interest in otolaryngology. He has received a Professional Student Mentored Research Fellowship award at the University of Kentucky, and he has been working with Dr. Christina Studts' research team on qualitative anaylses related to deaf or hard of hearing children and their families.


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Presenter: Julie Jacobs

Julie Jacobs, MPH, is a research director at the University of Kentucky, where she has worked for the past 8 years with Dr. Christina Studts on grant-funded projects that focus on increasing access to evidence-based interventions to address the needs of underserved populations, particularly for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families. Ms. Jacobs earned her Master of Public Health degree at Saint Louis University in 2010, and she started her public health research career over 12 years ago at Washington University in St. Louis.


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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.

Presenter: Laura Bellnier

Laura Bellnier, MPH, is a research associate at the University of Kentucky. Her work in hearing healthcare research began as a graduate assistant while pursuing her Master of Public Health at the University of Kentucky. Ms. Bellnier assists with several grant-funded projects that focus on increasing access to hearing health care and evidence-based interventions to improve health outcomes for children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. Prior to joining the University of Kentucky, Ms. Bellnier spent seven years providing educational access and affordable housing services to underserved families in Appalachia and Central Kentucky.


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• Receives Salary for Employment from University of Kentucky.

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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.

Presenter: Anthony Mahairas

Anthony Mahairas is a research assistant for the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Kentucky. He completed his Masters of Molecular Medicine at Liberty University. Anthony’s has research interests surrounding increasing access to quality healthcare among underserved communities. He currently works on several NIH-funded grants and other ongoing research projects in the department.


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Presenter: Grace Mullikin

Grace Mullikin is a student at the University of Kentucky participating in a 5-year Dual Bachelor's and Master's Program in Public Health. Ms. Mullikin has worked with Dr. Christina Studts’ research team for two semesters, assisting with quantitative and qualitative analyses of studies related to supporting families with deaf or hard of hearing children.


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Presenter: Christina Studts

Dr. Studts is an associate professor of pediatrics and implementation scientist in the Adult & Child Consortium for Health Outcomes Research & Delivery Science (ACCORDS) at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Her research focuses on increasing access to evidence-based parenting interventions among understudied and underserved populations, including parents of young children who are deaf or hard of hearing and who use hearing aids or cochlear implants. In addition to leading her own program of community-engaged research, Dr. Studts serves as an implementation scientist on teams studying the adoption and sustained use of evidence-based practices in a variety of topical areas, and she directs and teaches in the Dissemination and Implementation Graduate Certificate Program at the University of Colorado.


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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.