Abstract
Very little is known about the consequences of aging and the wellbeing of deaf sign language users. This thesis contributes to filling this knowledge gap. The overarching aim was to gain further understanding and to increase the knowledge about quality of life, in terms of subjective wellbeing and health, activity and social contacts, among older deaf sign language users. After having established the prevalence (0.7 per thousand) of deaf sign language users living in a defined geographical district (Scania, Sweden), it targeted those deaf sign language users that were 65 years or older. The data collection was based on a combination of interviews in sign language - a unique feature of this thesis - with 45 deaf sign language users and established assessment instruments. This sample reported high levels of subjective wellbeing despite many ill-health symptoms and functional limitations. Furthermore, this sample reported more depressive and tension symptoms and was more dependent in daily activities than older hearing people, at the same time as they reported higher values on perceived health. Within the sample, there was a negative relationship between ill-health and productive activities, but a positive one between leisure activities and subjective wellbeing. Social activities at the deaf club were the sole category of activity that was related to subjective wellbeing. The results of this thesis point to the importance for older deaf sign language users' wellbeing of being able to relate to the deaf community and a sign-language-speaking environment. Such an interpretation has implications for health care providers and for occupational therapy practice. According to this view, older deaf sign language users should, if such measures are needed, reside together and encounter personnel with sign-language-speaking competence.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Doctor |
Awarding Institution |
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Supervisors/Advisors |
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Award date | 2006 Apr 28 |
Publisher | |
ISBN (Print) | 91-85481-74-2 |
Publication status | Published - 2006 |
Bibliographical note
Defence detailsDate: 2006-04-28
Time: 09:00
Place: Sal: C144 Vårdvetenskapens hus Baravägen 3 Lund
External reviewer(s)
Name: Andersson, Lars
Title: Professor
Affiliation: Institutionen för samhälls- och välfärdsstudier, Linköpings Universitet
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<div class="article_info">M Werngren-Elgström, O Dehlin and S Iwarsson. <span class="article_issue_date">2003</span>. <span class="article_title">A Swedish prevalence study of deaf using sign language: A prerequisite for Deaf studies.</span> <span class="journal_series_title">Disability and Society,</span>, <span class="journal_volume">vol 18</span> <span class="journal_pages">pp 311-323</span>.</div>
<div class="article_info">M Werngren-Elgström, O Dehlin and S Iwarsson. <span class="article_issue_date">2003</span>. <span class="article_title">Aspects of quality of life in persons with pre-lingual deafness using sign language: Subjective wellbeing, ill-health symptoms, depression and insomnia.</span> <span class="journal_series_title">Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics</span>, <span class="journal_volume">vol 37</span> <span class="journal_pages">pp 13-24</span>.</div>
<div class="article_info">M Werngren-Elgström, Å Brandt and S Iwarsson. <span class="article_issue_date"></span>. <span class="article_title">Everyday activities and social contacts among older deaf sign language users: Relationships to health and wellbeing.</span> (submitted)</div>
<div class="article_info">M Werngren-Elgström, S Iwarsson, S Elmståhl and O Dehlin. <span class="article_issue_date">2005</span>. <span class="article_title">ADL dependence and perceived health among elderly deaf sign language users: A comparison with a matched group of elderly hearing people.</span> <span class="journal_series_title">Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy</span>, <span class="journal_volume">vol 12</span> <span class="journal_pages">pp 81-88</span>.</div>
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.
The record was previously connected to the following departments: Division of Occupational Therapy (Closed 2012) (013025000)
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Occupational Therapy
Free keywords
- Rehabilitering (medicinsk och social)
- kinesitherapy
- revalidation
- epidemiologi
- Physical medicine
- epidemiology
- Folkhälsa
- Public health
- Gerontologi
- Activity
- Deaf culture
- Health
- Occupational Therapy
- Gerontology
- ADL-dependence
- rehabilitation