Self-esteem and coping strategies among deaf students

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Deaf Studies

Background:

• Self-esteem determinants in deaf individuals lack consistent research findings.
• Understanding factors influencing self-esteem is crucial for deaf individuals navigating a hearing world.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of communication methods, hearing loss severity, and coping styles on the self-esteem of deaf students.
• To identify key factors contributing to positive self-esteem within the deaf community.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from deaf students at California State University, Northridge.
• Hierarchical regression modeling used to analyze relationships between variables.
• Assessment of communication means, hearing aid use, hearing loss severity, and coping styles.

Main Results:

• Identification with the Deaf community significantly predicted higher self-esteem.
• Greater degree of hearing loss and bicultural skills were associated with increased self-esteem.
• Coping styles and communication methods showed varied impacts on self-esteem.

Conclusions:

• Community identification and biculturalism are vital for deaf individuals' self-esteem.
• Further research should explore nuanced relationships between deafness-related factors and psychological well-being.
• Interventions supporting bicultural identity may enhance self-esteem in deaf populations.