title: Deafness-related self-perceptions and psychological well-being in deaf adolescents with cochlear implants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to examine the relationship between psychological well-being and self-perception in adolescents with cochlear implants, in relation to their perceptions of hearing, deaf signing, and orally communicating deaf peers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-perceptions were examined in 22 cochlear implant users aged 12-18 years, using the repertory grid technique that allows the respondent to generate personally relevant 'identity' constructs. Psychological well-being was assessed using the Beck Youth Inventory, a series of five self-report questionnaires assessing anxiety, depression, disruptive behaviour, anger, and self-esteem.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Correlational analyses indicated that perceiving oneself as close to any peer, irrespective of which peer, was associated with better psychological well-being. There was also a significant positive association between perceived degree of similarity specifically to hearing peers, and psychological well-being. The closer the implanted adolescents perceived themselves to be to their hearing peers, the better their overall psychological well-being. In contrast, perceiving oneself as more similar to deaf signing peers or deaf oral peers was not significantly associated with psychological well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings are discussed in the context of previous research on social comparison, Deaf identity, and the aims of cochlear implantation.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Hearing and Speech Centre, Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK. gingajen@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mance
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001299:Audiometry; D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003638:Deafness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom