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.; Ferguson, Melanie A.

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.

Citation

Heffernan, E., Coulson, N. S., Henshaw, H., Barry, J. G., & Ferguson, M. A. (in press). 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), Article S3-S12. https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2015.1117663

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 3, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Jan 12, 2016
• Deposit Date: Nov 18, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 18, 2016
• Journal: International Journal of Audiology
• Print ISSN: 1499-2027
• Electronic ISSN: 1708-8186
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 55
• Issue: sup3
• Article Number: S3-S12
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2015.1117663
• Keywords: Hearing Loss, Leventhal’s Self-regulatory Model, Common Sense Model, Illness Representations, Psychosocial Impact, Qualitative Research
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/772979
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/14992027.2015.1117663
• Contract Date: Nov 18, 2016