The Significance of Deaf Identity for Psychological Well-Being

This study examined how different forms of identity—deaf, hearing, bicultural (deaf and hearing), and marginal (neither deaf nor hearing)—were associated with levels of psychological well-being and a number of other variables. The sample was 742 adults with hearing loss in Denmark. The study found that those with a deaf, hearing or bicultural identity had significantly higher levels of psychological well-being than those with a marginal identity. Further, it found that additional disability, educational level, and feeling discriminated against significantly and independently explained the degree of psychological well-being. Results are discussed here with respect to social identity theory and current deaf identity themes.</span>
Source: Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education - Category: Audiology Source Type: research