The relationship between attitudes, feelings of identity and the psychological health and well-being of Deaf people in the community is examined. The incidence of psychological distress in this sample (n = 102, mean age = 41, range = 17-65) is examined using the General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg, 1972) and the Attitude and Identity Questionnaire (ATIQ) designed for this study. Both were presented in British Sign Language. An interview questionnaire was also used to gather information about the participant. The participants' experience of sexual and physical abuse is also investigated and related to health and well-being. Information was collected using British Sign Language in face-to-face interviews. The processes of translation into English and the back translation procedure is described. Thirty-eight percent of the sample was found to suffer psychological ill health. A high incidence of sexual abuse was found and this was significantly related to psychological ill health (p = 0.047). The relationship between psychological ill health and the Attitude and Identity Questionnaire was found to be highly significant (p = 0.002). The Attitude and Identity Questionnaire was designed to measure attitudes towards deaf people; the self-perception of deafness; and provide a measure of self- esteem. The questionnaire also measures the degree individuals identify with the Deaf community. The implications for developing strategies for the mental health and well-being of deaf children and adults are discussed. The implications of the findings for education are also discussed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:489477 |
| Date | January 1998 |
| Creators | Ridgeway, Sharon |
| Publisher | University of Manchester |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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