Intra- and interpersonal effects of coping on the psychological well-being of adults with sensory loss and their spouses

Abstract

The results highlight the need to support the well-being of adults with sensory loss and their spouses in rehabilitation, and the importance of both intra- and interpersonal coping in the adjustment process. Implications for rehabilitation Rehabilitation specialists and social workers working with adults with sensory loss should, where possible, incorporate family members into support plans. Rehabilitation specialists and social workers working in sensory rehabilitation should be mindful of how the coping styles of one partner can impact the well-being of their significant other. In addition to promoting positive coping behaviors, such as planning and support seeking, rehabilitation specialists and social workers should also take care to identify and reduce maladaptive coping behaviors such as avoidance and distraction. Online and print information for spouses on how to cope with a partner's sensory loss should be available and accessible for couples attending sensory rehabilitation clinics.

From Detection to Intervention Psychological Aspects of Online Hearing Rehabilitation

“…Similarly, the same trend was observed in a longitudinal study of people with sensory loss (hearing or vision) (Lehane, Dammeyer, & Wittich, 2017). They found that avoidant or distraction-based coping strategies was deleterious to psychological well-being, while those with an active and more accepting coping style fared better.…”

“…This gives weight to the argument that the detrimental impact of hearing loss on an individual can to a certain degree be modified by how the affected person perceive the hearing loss as an hindrance and what coping behaviours are used (Gomez & Madey, 2001;Lehane et al, 2017). This phenomenon has also, to varying degrees, been observed in chronic pain research, which is a field where much of the development of acceptance as a key concept in living with a chronic condition has taken place (McCracken, 1998;Viane et al, 2003).…”

Couples coping with sensory loss: A dyadic study of the roles of self‐ and perceived partner acceptance

“…First, with regard to mean differences across each of the measures, spouses reported a greater level of acceptance of the sensory loss than AWSLs, AWSLs reported greater perceived partner acceptance, and AWSLs reported greater psychological distress. Although sensory loss has a demonstrated effect on spouses’ well‐being (e.g., Lehane, Dammeyer, & Elsass, ), these results indicate that, as the individual with the disability, AWSLs may have a greater need for support to be able to reach a state of acceptance and positive adjustment.…”

Interpersonal communication and psychological well-being among couples coping with sensory loss: The mediating role of perceived spouse support

“…Survey data were collected as described by Lehane, Dammeyer, and Wittich (2017). Specifically, the project was advertised using a variety of online media including Facebook (advertising, project page, group posting), Twitter, Instagram (project page, advertising), Reddit, a project website, and professional e-mail lists.…”