Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Addressing The Need For Depression Inventories In American Sign Language, Josephine F. Wilson, Michelle Niehaus, Jared A. Embree, Deb S. Guthmann, Steven R. Sligar, Janet C. Titus, Annie Welch, Kathy Taylor

JADARA

Using state-of-the-art techniques, the authors interpreted two commonly used depression inventories, the revised Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9), into American Sign Language (ASL): BDI-II-ASL and PHQ-9-ASL, respectively. A national sample of 361 deaf individuals who preferentially use ASL completed the BDI-II-ASL and PHQ-9-ASL online. BDI-II-ASL and PHQ-9-ASL scores were significantly and positively correlated. The results showed no significant differences in scores due to gender, Deaf cultural identification, race, ethnicity, or employment status. However, the results did show that less education was significantly associated with higher depression scores. The BDI-II-ASL and PHQ-9-ASL require norming in a comparative …

Leader-Member Exchange And The Effect Of Deaf Identity On Relationship Quality, David Hylan Jr., Melissa J. Hawthorne

JADARA

The focus of this study was the relationship between leaders and their team members and how Deaf identity can predict the quality of that relationship. Employment and personal identity are often linked, and this is true of Deaf identity. This study explores how Deaf identity impacts leader-member exchanges and seeks to identify components of Deaf identity that promote better workplace experiences. The results of a Pearson r correlation analysis supported a significant positive correlation between the Deaf Acculturation Scale score and the Leader-Member Exchange 7 questionnaire score. A linear regression analysis indicated that Deaf identity was a significant predictor of …

Influences On The Attachment Style Of Deaf Adults With Hearing Parents, Ellen Schaefer-Salins

JADARA

The current study explored variables that could contribute to the development of a secure or insecure attachment style of 15 deaf adults between the ages of 30 and 50 with hearing parents. There is a paucity of information on the relationship of deaf adults to their hearing parent and how that relationship may influence attachment. For the current study, quantitative methods were used to explore both childhood and adulthood variables, such as type of communication used with parents, type and level of schooling, and current attachment style. Variables also studied include age, gender, race, birth order, marital status, the hearing …

Social Media Use, Acculturation, And Self-Esteem Of Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Adults, Taylor A. Paglieri, Caroline Kobek Pezzarossi Ph.D, Deborah Schooler

JADARA

Social networking sites (SNSs) have become increasingly popular in modern society; however, research into the impacts of SNS use on Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (D/HH) individuals is lacking. Through an online survey completed by 217 D/HH adults, we examined the demographic predictors of SNS use and how frequent SNS use relates to self-esteem. Deaf acculturation, age, attending a mainstream school with support services, and education level were significant predictors of SNS use for D/HH adults. Furthermore, D/HH adults with increased Deaf acculturation and frequent SNS use reported higher self-esteem.

Psychologists' Use Of Touch In Individual Psychotherapy With Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Clients, Caroline M. Kobek Pezzarossi Ph.D, Irene W. Leigh Ph.D, Daniel S. Koo Ph.D

JADARA

The use of touch in psychotherapy is a topic often undiscussed in graduate training programs. Stenzel and Rupert’s 2004 study showed that nearly 90% of clinicians never or rarely offered touch to clients during a session. This study examined the use of touch in a psychotherapeutic setting with culturally Deaf clients, since touch is a culturally accepted, even expected, practice. Results indicated that there was no statistically significant difference among culturally Deaf therapists compared with the Stenzel and Rupert’s (2004) findings, but there is a statistically significant difference in those who identify as hearing and work with culturally Deaf clients. …

Application Of Self-Efficacy Training In Group Aural Rehabilitation: An Interprofessional Collaborative Model, Stephen D. Roberts, Nancy A. Delich

JADARA

Few studies have explored self-efficacy training with persons with hearing loss (PHLs), yet alone with their communication partners (CPs). The purpose of this mixed-method study was to examine the impact of self-efficacy training as a framework for an Interprofessional Psychosocial Group Aural Rehabilitation (IPGAR) workshop with PHLs and their CPs. Four PHLs and their four CPs consented to participate in the IPGAR workshop that employed interventions including short lectures, psychosocial exercises, communication strategies training, speech perception training, adaptive/stress reduction exercises, and group discussions relevant to mutually established shared goals for each couple. The participants reported improved communication abilities in the …

Satisfaction With Life Scale In American Sign Language: Validation And Normative Data, Josephine F. Wilson, Jared Embree, Deb Guthmann, Steven R. Sligar, Janet C. Titus, Kathryn C. Taylor

JADARA

The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a brief instrument that assesses a person’s global life satisfaction. Using state-of-the-science techniques, the SWLS was translated into American Sign Language (ASL). A national sample of 350 deaf and hard of hearing individuals who preferentially use ASL completed the ASL version of the SWLS (SWLS-ASL) online. The individuals in this sample had a mean SWLS score of 23.4, well within the range of mean scores reported for samples from general populations of hearing individuals. No significant differences were identified in SWLS-ASL scores due to gender, cultural identification (identified as culturally Deaf or not), …

From Isolation To Communication: Connecting Adults Who Have Hearing Loss With Their Communication Partners, Stephen D. Roberts, Nancy A. Delich

JADARA

As Baby Boomers enter the late adulthood stage of life, hearing loss continues to be one of the most prevalent, chronic, and isolating conditions facing older adults today. Research has focused on the negative consequences of hearing loss on the health and the person’s well-being, but it is equally important to recognize that hearing loss also leads to communication loss. The resulting social isolation and the collateral effects of hearing loss on the communication partner are the focus of this mixed-method study that explored the hearing loss-related quality of life for both parties. Five overarching themes emerged from the analysis, …

Preparing For Battle Against The Hearing Loss: A Narrative Therapy Approach, Michael A. Harvey

JADARA

This case study describes brief psychotherapy with a 67-year-old man who had a severe-to- profound hearing loss. In his words, he began treatment "to get my wife off my back," as his wife wanted him to be evaluated for hearing aids. The therapist used a narrative treatment approach to externalize and personify the hearing loss and also to facilitate "remembering" conversations concerning the patient's grandfather. Clinical vignettes and theoretical notes are offered.

An Interprofessional Collaborative Approach To The Development Of A Content Valid Interview Questionnaire For Persons With Hearing Loss And Their Communication Partners, Nancy A. Delich, Stephen D. Roberts

JADARA

An assessment instrument needs to be valid in order for data to be accurately interpreted and applied. Currently, few rigorous content evaluations have been conducted on hearing-related questionnaires. This study describes a multiphase approach for obtaining content validity evidence in the development of a questionnaire that explores quality of life for persons with hearing loss and their communication partners. A panel of 15 interprofessional experts evaluated 41 questionnaire items for content relevance and content clarity. Findings revealed an overall scale of .99 for content relevance and .85 for content clarity, indicating high content validity for the revised 40-item questionnaire.

Deaf Adult Consumers Of Public Behavioral Health Services In Maryland: January 1, 2016 – January 1, 2018, Teresa Crowe Ph.D

JADARA

This exploratory study describes the demographic profiles of 7,474 deaf adults who are consumers of public behavioral health services in the state of Maryland. Up until recent years, data about deaf consumers were unavailable to researchers. Over the past two years, additional items were added to the Outcome Measurement Systems interview, such as “primary language” and boxes where providers could record “deaf.” The data presented in this paper are for deaf adults who received services from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2018. The results of this study indicate that: 1) most deaf consumers lived in private residences, 2) consumers …

A Brief Report: Interpersonal Violence Exposure And Violence Myth Acceptance In The Ohio Deaf Community, Stefanie J. Day, Kelsey A. Cappetta, Melissa L. Anderson

JADARA

Interpersonal violence is a leading cause of death and pervasive public health issue in the US. Although some research suggests that Deaf people experience disparities in interpersonal violence exposure compared to the general population, most prior research has been conducted using written English survey measures or in areas where exceptionally high levels of educational attainment failed to mirror the characteristics of the Deaf community at large. To address these limitations, the current secondary analysis leveraged data collected via an American Sign Language survey instrument to compare rates of interpersonal violence exposure and violence myth acceptance between Deaf (n = …

A Place To Belong: A Support Group Curriculum For Hearing Adolescents Of Deaf Parents (Kodas), Meghan L. Fox

JADARA

Hearing children of deaf parents (C/Kodas) comprise a unique group that carries experiences as interpreters, protectors, and advocates. Kodas also have distinct experiences family dynamics and are bilingual and bicultural. Consequently, Kodas have complex identities and related identity development processes with few places to find support. There is a need for culturally sensitive and informed programs to create spaces for Kodas to process complexities and connect with others similar to them. This manuscript focuses on presenting an original research-informed support group program (Kids of Deaf Adults: A Place to Belong) for adolescent Kodas.

Translation And Validation Of An Online Suite Of Assessments In American Sign Language, Deb Guthmann, Janet Titus, Jared Embree, Josephine Wilson

JADARA

Abstract

This article reports on a National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP; Federal Grant # 90DP0067). The project is being conducted by investigators in the Substance Abuse Resources and Disability Issues (SARDI) Program in the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University (WSU), in collaboration with nationally recognized experts on Deaf culture and substance abuse/mental health. The goal of this DRRP is to develop and test an online suite of instruments in American Sign Language (ASL), validated for deaf consumers, assessing substance use, mental health, and occupational interests. The …

Telemental Health Services As A Targeted Intervention For Individuals Who Are Deaf And Hard Of Hearing, Teresa Crowe

JADARA

Deaf and hard of hearing individuals who have chronic mental illness are a population that is underserved. Like their hearing counterparts with mental illness, individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing often face medical and treatment disparities. The purpose of this paper is to propose the use of telemental health (TMH) services, or services provided via videoconferencing technology, as a targeted intervention that may provide relief to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals with mental health problems. This paper addresses several areas that are important when considering service provision to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, including a working …

Interdisciplinary Collaboration To Ensure The Well-Being Of Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Students With Complex Needs, Deb S. Guthmann Ed.D, Kim Mathos D.O., M.P.H.,, Jessica Richter M.S.

JADARA

Compared to their hearing counterparts, students who are deaf or hard of hearing face unique challenges as they transition from high school to post high school activities. Students who have co-occurring physical, behavioral health, intellectual or autism related challenges may be at higher risk of destabilization in placement or service access when they are no longer eligible for special education services. In this exploratory study, we aim to begin to quantify how transition coordinators and schools that serve deaf or hard of hearing students collaborate with behavioral health care providers, social service, or developmental disability providers when children they serve …

Age Of Language Acquisition And Prevalence Of Suicidal Behavior In A Deaf Population With Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder, Jared A. Embree, Nicole R. Kinzeler, Susan Fraker, Sandra Castle, Josephine F. Wilson

JADARA

If language is delayed through developmental milestones in childhood, individuals may have less access to the resiliency tools necessary to build social support and positive social identity. Suicide attempts may represent a maladaptive form of communication stemming from delayed ability to express unmet emotional needs. To evaluate the relationship between age of language acquisition and suicidality, analysis was conducted on self-reported data from prelingual deaf adults in substance use disorder treatment. Suicidal ideation was reported by 50.5% of consumers, and lifetime suicide attempts were reported by 42.1%. Individuals with significantly delayed language acquisition presented with the highest rates (61.1%) of …

Deaf Seniors: Experiencing Oppression, Audrey K. Frank Ph.D.

JADARA

The article was written because of the huge need to collect data on oppression experienced by deaf seniors. Open-ended responses were collected from 91 participants aged 50 years and older from five states in the areas of health care, lack of communication with family members, neighborhood, workplace, and hearing children taking over their deaf parents’ role. In the health care field and workplace, deaf seniors had experienced oppression when they did not have the full communication accessibility. There was a lack of awareness of understanding how to make it fully communication-accessible through interpreters and technology and also, the implications of …

Symptom Patterns Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Deaf Trauma Survivors, Melissa L. Anderson, Amanda Sortwell, Kelly S. Wolf Craig, Douglas M. Ziedonis

JADARA

Details about Deaf people’s pattern of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms remain relatively unknown due to inaccessible methods used in most epidemiological research. We conducted semi-structured American Sign Language interviews with 16 trauma-exposed Deaf individuals to explore their PTSD symptom patterns. Half met criteria for current PTSD, a rate higher than the general population. Underlying this disparity may be heightened rates of dissociation and psychogenic amnesia reported by many Deaf trauma survivors. Future research with large samples of Deaf survivors is needed to clarify this hypothesis, and to inform interventions that more accurately target Deaf people’s pattern of trauma symptoms.

Professional Identity, Dana Stewart Kline

JADARA

The roles and responsibilities of the professional school counselor continuously evolve in order to meet the needs of an ever-changing and diverse student population. In this paper, several of these roles and responsibilities are identified and described. In addition, two professional organizations that are personally relevant will be identified. I have developed four action plans that support my individual growth and further develop my professional identity. Finally, shared is my vision as a professional school counselor and agent of social change.

Domestic Violence Services For The Deaf Community, Teresa Crowe Ph.D

JADARA

Domestic violence is a pervasive and destructive phenomenon that occurs frequently, especially among people of color and individuals with disabilities. This study surveyed 195 Deaf and hard of hearing college students about their knowledge of domestic violence services, their concerns for agency staff characteristics, and service delivery, and the impact of additional disabilities. Results indicate that 74.8% of the sample knew someone who had experienced violence within the past year. Most respondents knew where to go for help, yet none or few of the individuals who experienced violence sought help. Respondents ranked services they felt most comfortable asking and which …

Sign Language Interpreters And Burnout: Exploring Perfectionism And Coping, Tomina J. Schwenke Ph.D

JADARA

Maslach (1982) conceptualizes burnout as emotional exhaustion and cynicism, which erodes an individual’s ability to effectively engage in work. A known antecedent to burnout across a variety of occupations, including interpreting, is chronic job stress (Delisle, Lariviere, Imbeau, & Durand, 2005; Swartz, 1999). The multidimensional construct of perfectionism is one personality trait noted in the literature (Flett & Hewitt, 2002) that affects how an individual perceives and manages stressors and it is consistently associated with burnout. Perfectionism is characterized by a tendency to set and strive for high personal standards and has both detrimental and beneficial potential (Stoeber & Otto, …

A Survey Of Barriers To Employment For Individuals Who Are Deaf, Robin E. Perkins-Dock Ph.D, Terrilyn R. Battle M.S., Jaleassia M. Edgerton M.S., Jaqueline N. Mcneill M.S.

JADARA

Hearing difficulty is one of the most prevalent disabilities in the United States, comprising approximately 2.1 percent (3.9 million) of American, working-age population. This disability impacts communication, educational achievement, and the social interactions resulting in significant unemployment and underemployment. The authors present a survey of barriers to employment as identified by participants who are deaf. Survey results include descriptive data related to barriers to employment, level of education, employment status, use of accommodations, and recommendations for change. A comparative analysis demonstrates the relationship between selected variables. The authors conclude with practical implications for potential stakeholders.

Applying For A Student Writing Award

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Interested in applying for a Student Writing Award from ADARA?

From The Editor: Caroline M. Kobek Pezzarossi, Ph.D., Caroline Kobek Pezzarossi Ph.D

JADARA

A note from your new Senior Editor, Caroline M. Kobek Pezzarossi, Ph.D. This letter from the editor also includes a short biography of Dr. Kobek Pezzarossi.

Condom Use Among Deaf College Students, Jason J. Zodda Ph.D

JADARA

The overarching aim for the current study was to assess the prevalence of condom use among college students who are deaf and determine if it differed from their hearing peers. Prior to this study, the modest information available suggested that deaf adults were likely engaging in significantly more risky sexual practices than hearing adults. To elucidate this topic, a sample of deaf college students was recruited from a predominately deaf university and administered measures that assessed their current sexual behavior and utilization of condoms during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Of the three types of sexual contact studied, the results …

Teaching Geometric Sameness To A Deaf-Blind Child, Gary Dean Yarnall

JADARA

Teaching Geometric Sameness To A Deaf-Blind Child - no abstract available.

Counseling The Deaf Client, Mccay Vernon

JADARA

None

Trauma And The Use Of Formal And Informal Resources In The Deaf Population: Perspectives From Mental Health Service Providers, Stephanie W. Cawthon, Bentley W. Fink, Paige Johnson, Sarah Schoffstall, Erica Wendel

JADARA

Using grounded theory analysis, the current study identifies the perspectives of therapists and counselors regarding the nature of informal and formal resources supporting the treatment of deaf individuals with trauma. Nineteen counselors and therapists were interviewed, and accessibility, formal support, informal networks, and gaps in resources were identified as salient themes. Subsequent analysis identified concerns with confidentiality as a strong theme. This study emphasizes the need for counselors and therapists to become mindful of utilizing resources to support the treatment of trauma while being concerned with confidentiality.