Understanding the psychosocial experiences of adults with mild-moderate hearing loss: an application of Leventhal’s self-regulatory model

Heffernan, Eithne, Coulson, Neil S., Henshaw, Helen, Barry, Johanna G. and Ferguson, Melanie A. (2016) Understanding the psychosocial experiences of adults with mild-moderate hearing loss: an application of Leventhal’s self-regulatory model. International Journal of Audiology, 55 (sup3). S3-S12. ISSN 1708-8186

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Abstract

Objective: This study explored the psychosocial experiences of adults with hearing loss using the self-regulatory model as a theoretical framework. The primary components of the model, namely cognitive representations, emotional representations, and coping responses, were examined. Design: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data were analysed using an established thematic analysis procedure. Study sample: Twenty-five adults with mild-moderate hearing loss from the UK and nine hearing healthcare professionals from the UK, USA, and Canada were recruited via maximum variation sampling. Results: Cognitive representations: Most participants described their hearing loss as having negative connotations and consequences, although they were not particularly concerned about the progression or controllability/curability of the condition. Opinions differed regarding the benefits of understanding the causes of one’s hearing loss in detail. Emotional representations: negative emotions dominated, although some experienced positive emotions or muted emotions. Coping responses: engaged coping (e.g. hearing aids, communication tactics) and disengaged coping (e.g. withdrawal from situations, withdrawal within situations): both had perceived advantages and disadvantages. Conclusions: This novel application of the self-regulatory model demonstrates that it can be used to capture the key psychosocial experiences (i.e. perceptions, emotions, and coping responses) of adults with mild-moderate hearing loss within a single, unifying framework.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/772979
Keywords: Hearing Loss, Leventhal’s Self-regulatory Model, Common Sense Model, Illness Representations, Psychosocial Impact, Qualitative Research
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing
University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Clinical Neuroscience
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2015.1117663
Depositing User: Coulson, Dr Neil
Date Deposited: 18 Nov 2016 13:26
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 17:32
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/38816

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