Posttraumatic Growth in Postlingually Deaf Patients With Cochlear Implants: The Effect of Stress-Coping Strategies, Sociodemographics, and Deafness-Related Factors.

The aim of this study was to assess whether cochlear implant (CI) users who had been postlingually deaf developed a more positive outlook on life-the so-called posttraumatic growth (PTG)-as a result of their disability and to examine how PTG related to their stress-coping strategies and personal circumstances. The study group consisted of 119 postlingually deaf CI users. The participants were asked to anonymously fill in several questionnaires: the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE), and a form asking for personal details and factors related to their deafness and CI use. The PTG of postlingually deaf CI users was similar to that found in people with other severe health problems. The time that had elapsed since the hearing was lost and the time from receiving a CI were positively correlated with PTG. The level of PTG was correlated with the particular coping strategies used and differed between men and women. We found that the development of PTG could emerge from both approach-oriented coping strategies (e.g., active coping and planning) and avoidance-oriented coping strategies (e.g., denial, self-distraction, and self-blame). Paradoxically, the avoidance strategies could play a positive role in the development of PTG. This reinforces the idea, previously raised in the PTG literature, that such strategies exert a defensive and protective function-an "illusory" side of PTG-which operates together with the positive constructive side, and both help develop the sense of well-being of a person.

Cochlear implants in adults with partial deafness: subjective benefits but associated psychological distress.

PURPOSE: The present study investigated adults with partial deafness (PD) and asked them to rate the benefits of their cochlear implant (CI), their general level of satisfaction with it, and their level of psychological distress. Of particular interest was the role of gender. METHODS: The study comprised 71 participants (41 females) with PD who had been provided with a CI. The Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) was used to assess the benefits of their CI. Satisfaction with their CI was measured using a visual analog scale. The severity of mental distress was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). RESULTS: On various NCIQ scales, the average benefits of a CI were rated at 66%. Females gave a lower rating than males. The mental distress experienced by the group was significantly higher than in the general population. Females had more severe symptoms of anxiety and insomnia than males. There was a significant relationship between psychological distress and CI benefit, but only in females. Besides general distress, the most affected spheres were related to psychosocial functioning-"self-esteem", "activity limitation", and "social interaction". Contrary to expectations, there was no relationship between mental distress and CI satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The perceived benefits of a CI in subjects with PD relate mostly to the level of mental distress, although gender is an important factor. For females, their emotional state affects how beneficial their CI is perceived. Due to the higher levels of mental distress, females tend to need more psychological intervention and support.

Self-esteem in the deaf who have become cochlear implant users as adults.

OBJECTIVE: Self-esteem is a good predictor of mental health and is crucial for well-being and psychological functioning. It is especially important in situations where there are potential mental health problems, such as in people suffering from hearing loss or total deafness. This study aims to gauge the level of self-esteem in adults with hearing problems, in particular those who, in adulthood, had received a cochlear implant (CI). The subjects had different onset (pre-lingual/post-lingual) and amount (deafness/partial deafness) of hearing loss, and their current level of self-esteem was compared to that of the general population. The association of self-esteem with other deafness-related variables (e.g. satisfaction with their CI or whether they also used a hearing aid) and sociodemographic factors was also investigated. METHODS: Data were obtained from questionnaires mailed to patients who, when adult, had received a CI. The subjects were divided into four subgroups: subjects with pre-lingual deafness, post-lingual deafness, pre-lingual partial deafness, and post-lingual partial deafness. To evaluate their self-esteem, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) was used. For data on sociodemographic status and information related to deafness and CI, we used our own Information Inquiry form. For statistical analysis of the results, we compared means (t-test, ANOVA), investigated correlations, and applied linear regression. RESULTS: The self-esteem of deaf and partially deaf CI users was significantly lower than in the general population, especially for post-lingually deafened subjects. The only factor related to deafness and CIs that explained self-esteem was self-rated satisfaction with the CI-meaning that higher satisfaction was associated with higher self-esteem. The major sociodemographic factor that explained self-esteem was marital/partnership status (being in a relationship was helpful). Also men had higher self-esteem than women. Those with higher levels of education, and those working or studying, had higher self-esteem than those who did not. RSES was found to have a single-factor structure. CONCLUSION: Deafness and partial deafness appear to be risk factors for lower self-esteem, a finding that rehabilitation, medical, educational, and employment communities should be made aware of. Medical intervention in the form of a CI supplies the person with improved hearing, but it is not a panacea: their self-esteem is still vulnerable, and reinforcement of self-esteem is an aspect that professionals should focus on. Psychological, psycho-educational, and psychotherapeutic interventions have important roles to play for CI recipients.

[Mental health problems of mothers and fathers of the deaf children with cochlear implants]. / Problemy zdrowia psychicznego matek i ojców dzieci gluchych z implantem slimakowym.

INTRODUCTION: Child's deafness is a risk factor for the mental health of its parents. This study addresses a question whether mothers and fathers of the prelingually deaf children using cochlear implants (CI) experience a different intensity of psychopathology symptoms than parents of the hearing, typically developing children, and also if the intensity of those symptoms experienced by parents is related to how long their child is a cochlear implant user. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study participated 153 hearing parents of the deaf children using a single cochlear implant (111 mothers, 42 fathers), and parents of the hearing children. Mean age of deaf children was 72 months, cochlear implant use duration was between 1 and 124 months. The control group of parents has been selected taking into account their typically developing child's sex and age. The parents' mental health has been assessed with Goldberg General Health Questionnaire GHQ-28 in Polish adaptation. RESULTS: Mothers of deaf, CI using children experience significantly more symptoms of anxiety and insomnia compared to the mothers of typically developing children, while fathers of these children show the tendency for the increased level of depression symptoms compared to the fathers from the control group. In the group of deaf CI children mothers relate substantially more somatic and anxiety symptoms than fathers, whereas level of experiencing depression symptoms and problems in everyday functioning is similar in mothers and fathers. No relation between the duration of child's CI use and parents' mental health has been ascertained. CONCLUSIONS: The mental health of parents of the deaf CI using children indicates that both mothers and fathers have problems in this sphere related to their child's deafness, but not to the duration of child's CI use. Parents of deaf, CI using children may need psychological help regardless of the time their child has been using the cochlear implant.