Self-determination, emotions and exclusion in a blog of deaf people: a qualitative perspective

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to explore the deaf people’s perceptions about their well-being, published on a weblog. Method: A free access spanish blog that’s been created and used by deaf people is selected. Under qualitative methodology with a phenomenological approach, through the non-participating and asynchronous observation, sign language speeches are analyzed in 44 video messages uploaded by deaf bloggers. Results: in the speeches analyzed, inclusion’s areas cited the most are self-determination, social inclusion and emotional well-being, these latter two in a negative way: social exclusion and emotional distress. Final considerations: The study participants state that the arrangements adopted for their inclusion are not enough, with feelings of discomfort prevailing in all areas and life stages. Solidarity initiatives, elimination of communication barriers and true transforming agents of our society are needed.

Translated abstract

RESUMEN Objetivo: explorar las percepciones de bienestar que las personas sordas vierten en un blog de Internet. Método: Se selecciona un blog español de acceso libre creado y utilizado por personas sordas. Bajo una metodología cualitativa con diseño fenomenológico, y a través de la observación no participante y asincrónica, se analizan los discursos en lengua de signos de 44 videomensajes publicados por blogueros sordos. Resultados: las áreas más mencionadas sobre su inclusión en los discursos analizados son la autodeterminación, el bienestar emocional y la inclusión social, estas dos últimas en sentido negativo: malestar emocional y exclusión social. Consideraciones finales: Los participantes del estudio manifiestan que los planes adoptados para su inclusión no son suficientes, y tienen sentimientos de malestar en todas las áreas y etapas vitales. Se hace necesario eliminar las barreras de comunicación y crear iniciativas solidarias con verdaderos agentes transformadores de la sociedad en la que vivimos.

Translated abstract

RESUMO Objetivo: explorar as percepções dos surdos sobre seu bem-estar, publicados num blog. Método: foi selecionado um blog em espanhol de acesso gratuito criado e utilizado por pessoas surdas. Abordagem qualitativa assente na fenomenologia, através da observação assíncrona e não participante, os discursos realizados através de língua gestual são analisados em 44 vídeos que foram enviados por bloggers surdos. Resultados: nos discursos analisados, as áreas de inclusão mais citadas são autodeterminação, inclusão social e bem-estar emocional, sendo estas duas últimas de forma negativa: exclusão social e sofrimento emocional. Considerações finais: Os participantes do estudo afirmam que as alterações adotadas para a sua inclusão não são suficientes, com sentimentos de desconforto permanentes em todas as áreas e fases da vida. Iniciativas de solidariedade, eliminação de barreiras de comunicação e agentes transformadores reais da sociedade são necessários.

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Identidad cultural un concepto que evoluciona

OL Molano, O. Molano, Olga Lucia MOLANO … (2007)

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Mental distress and quality of life in a deaf population.

Florian Gerich, D Holzinger, David Goldberg … (2005)

High risks of mental illness within the deaf community are reported. The assessment of the level of mental distress and quality of life in the deaf community is difficult due to communication problems in spoken and written language. The deaf community is characterized by the use of sign language. A new measure of acceptable reliability using sign language is described. The interactive computerised package including special versions of the World Health Organisation's Brief Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and five subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) was administered to a large community sample of deaf people (n = 236), and results were compared with normative data for German-speaking hearing people. The deaf sample has a significantly poorer quality of life than the general population for the physical and psychological domains (p < 0.01) as measured by the WHOQOL-BREF. However, in the domain of social relationships, no significant difference (p = 0.19) was demonstrated. All findings with the GHQ-12 and the BSI show much higher levels (p = 0.01) of emotional distress among the deaf. Although a poorer quality of life and a higher level of mental distress are demonstrated, the similarity to the general population in the domain social relationships shows that this does not affect all domains. These findings show the need for easily accessible health services for the deaf which offer sensitive communication with them.