Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess whether cochlear implant (CI) users who had been postlingually deaf developed a more positive outlook on life—the so-called posttraumatic growth (PTG)—as a result of their disability and to examine how PTG related to their stress-coping strategies and personal circumstances. The study group consisted of 119 postlingually deaf CI users. The participants were asked to anonymously fill in several questionnaires: the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE), and a form asking for personal details and factors related to their deafness and CI use. The PTG of postlingually deaf CI users was similar to that found in people with other severe health problems. The time that had elapsed since the hearing was lost and the time from receiving a CI were positively correlated with PTG. The level of PTG was correlated with the particular coping strategies used and differed between men and women. We found that the development of PTG could emerge from both approach-oriented coping strategies (e.g., active coping and planning) and avoidance-oriented coping strategies (e.g., denial, self-distraction, and self-blame). Paradoxically, the avoidance strategies could play a positive role in the development of PTG. This reinforces the idea, previously raised in the PTG literature, that such strategies exert a defensive and protective function—an “illusory” side of PTG—which operates together with the positive constructive side, and both help develop the sense of well-being of a person.
Highlights
The postlingually deaf cochlear implant (CI) users in this study had a global level of posttraumatic growth (PTG) of about average as compared with Polish standards; 31% had high global PTG values and 32% had average global PTG
We found that the length of time since hearing was lost favors the development of PTG, especially in men
The time elapsed since the CI operation—which we identify as the manifestation of an active coping strategy or of seeking instrumental support—turned out to work in favor of PTG
Summary
Acquired deafness or profound hearing loss is a highly stressful life event, which usually arrives as a severe shock in the life of a person (Hallberg and Carlsson, 1993; Kerr and Cowie, 1997; Heydebrand et al, 2005; Hallam et al, 2006; Hallberg et al, 2008; Kashubeck-West and Meyer, 2008; Du Feu, 2014; Kobosko, 2015; Williams et al, 2015). When we look at it from the perspective of positive psychology, people who lose their hearing have the chance to experience positive changes as a result of this impact on their life—-a change that is referred to as posttraumatic growth (PTG). This theoretical concept suggested by Tedeschi and Calhoun (2004), Calhoun and Tedeschi (2014), and Martz and Livneh (2016) has been backed up by numerous studies on people with chronic illness or disabilities (CID) and by systematic reviews (Barskova and Oesterreich, 2009; Harding et al, 2014; Koutrouli et al, 2014; Oginska-Bulik, 2015; Rzeszutek and Gruszczynska, 2018; Wu et al, 2019). Such difficulties often produce high levels of psychological distress, depression, and anxiety (Hallam et al, 2006; Fellinger et al, 2012; Du Feu, 2014), and lead to lowered satisfaction with life and general loss of well-being (Kerr and Cowie, 1997; Heydebrand et al, 2005; Kashubeck-West and Meyer, 2008; Kobosko, 2015; Williams et al, 2015)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
