Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Wolff, Russell

Titel

The effect of self-efficacy on prelingually deaf adults' decision to have cochlear implants and subsequent life changes

Ort / Verlag

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Erscheinungsjahr

2007

Link zum Volltext

• ProQuest

Quelle

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• While research exists on the benefits of cochlear implants (CIs) with prelingually deaf infants and children, and postlingually deaf adults, there is limited research on the benefits of CIs for prelingually deaf (PLD) adults. A phenomenological method of inquiry was conducted to add to the limited literature and how Bandura's concept of perceived self-efficacy could be used to explain 6 PLD participants' decision to have CIs and discover how their lives changed following CIs. The study used criterion sampling and a structured interview with open-ended questions. Thematic analysis using NVivo, a qualitative software program, was utilized to help identify and analyze common themes. Two PLD participants participated in the pilot study and 6 PLD participants in the main study. Results indicated participants needed to see someone with whom they could relate who was successful with their CIs. This, then, influenced their beliefs that they, too, could have similar or better success with their CIs. All participants reported that they believed their lives improved post cochlear implantation, reporting, for example, better communication, increased awareness of environment, and increased self-confidence. Changes in lifestyle (e.g., more ease in social situations, greater independence), career options (better job opportunity), and social interactions (e.g., improved communication with hearing people, increased participation in conversation) were described. The primary social benefit identified in this study was an increase in the societal awareness of CIs' benefits and the potential reduction of the economic burden of deafness on society.