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Dysfunctional thinking patterns and immigration status as predictors of hearing protection device usage
Talma Kushnir1, Lela Avin, Alexandra Neck
1Sociology of Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and School of Health Professions, Tel Aviv University, Israel. talmak@bgu.ac.il
Background:
There is limited research on the role of dysfunctional/irrational thinking processes and immigration status on hearing protection device (HPD) usage.
Purpose:
The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of low frustration tolerance (LFT) and immigration status on HPD usage among employees exposed to hazardous industrial noise.
Methods:
A total of 117 Israeli-borns and 80 new immigrants from former Soviet Union completed a questionnaire. The association between HPD usage and barriers to action, self-efficacy, and LFT (accounting for age, years of exposure, and immigration status) were assessed using ordered logistic regression models.
Results:
LFT was associated negatively (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=.25, 95%; confidence interval [CI]=.15-.41) with HPD usage. Self-efficacy was a modifier (adjusted OR=1.47, 95%; CI=1.34-1.63): the higher the self-efficacy for a given LFT level, the higher the extent of HPD usage. Immigration status was not a significant predictor.
Conclusions:
HPD usage is associated with both rational and irrational motivations. The role of LFT in hearing protection should be further investigated.
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