O papel da comunicação familiar no desenvolvimento socioemocional de adolescentes surdos.

In psychology, the literature on family and its relation to the development of deaf adolescents is scarce and becomes incipient when considering the emotional aspect in this phase. The present article aims to characterize the perception of deaf adolescents about the role of family interactions in their socioemotional development. Four deaf adolescents between 12 and 18 years old, with profound or severe hearing loss and users of Brazilian Sign Language (Libras), were interviewed from March to April 2023. The interviews were recorded in audio, video, and later transcribed and analyzed. The content was analyzed using Bardin's analysis (2011). Four categories and five subcategories were identified, namely: 1. Modes of communication and 2. Emotional competencies. As resulting subtopics from the dimensions of emotional competencies, dimensions such as: 2.1. Identification of emotions; 2.2. Emotional expression and 2.3. Emotional regulation were identified. Language mediates interactions that enable the development of skills that have repercussions throughout life. For deaf individuals who use Libras, the visual-gestural characteristic of sign language favors precise identification of emotions through recognition of facial expressions and contextual clues. However, late language acquisition and restricted contact with deaf role models hinder the development of adequate vocabulary for differentiation and satisfactory expression of emotions. As a consequence, emotional regulation of deaf individuals may be impaired.