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Dissertation
Predictors of depressive symptoms in persons with deafness and hearing loss
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Apr 2008
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-2970
Abstract
To date, there are very few studies that that have assessed predictors of depression in persons with deafness and hearing loss. The present study addressed this fundamental gap in the literature by predicting depressive symptoms with the following two constructs: loneliness and problem-solving coping. Just as loneliness and problem solving are thought to be important in predicting depressive symptoms in the hearing, it was hypothesized that these constructs would also be important predictors of depressive symptoms in the deaf and hard-of-hearing. The literature, while inconsistent, suggests that objective severity of one's disability, speech discrimination, and the number of years one is deaf or hard-of-hearing, is related to psychopathology. This study included these factors as covariates. One hundred and twenty six women from the Drexel University Department of Otolaryngology completed a series of self-report questionnaires. The results indicated that loneliness was a significant, positive predictor of depressive symptoms. Additionally, the results indicated that problem solving was a significant, inverse predictor of depressive symptoms. A series of correlations designed to deconstruct the relationship between problem-solving and depression revealed a significant relationship between depressive symptoms and negative problem orientation, impulsiveness/carelessness style, and avoidance style. A multiple linear regression, in which components of problem solving were regressed on depressive symptoms, revealed a significant relationship between negative problem orientation and depressive symptoms and avoidance style and depressive symptoms. A hierarchical linear regression, which was employed to test the hypothesis that loneliness and problem solving predict depressive symptoms above and beyond objective severity of deafness and hearing loss, speech discrimination, and number of years deaf and/or hard-of-hearing, indicated that these covariates did not significantly predict depressive symptoms and do not account for the relationship between loneliness, problem-solving and depressive symptoms. Finally, a mediator analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis that problem-solving would mediate the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms. This analysis demonstrated that problem-solving partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms. This finding conveyed that there may be a direct contribution from loneliness to depressive symptoms. Furthermore, this finding conveyed that there may be an indirect path from loneliness to depressive symptoms through problem solving, but that the indirect path accounted for only a portion of the effect of loneliness on depressive symptoms. Clinical and research implications of the study, along with recommendations for future research, are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Predictors of depressive symptoms in persons with deafness and hearing loss
- Creators
- Jill Friedman - DU
- Contributors
- Arthur M. Nezu (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 2970; 991014632594204721