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Self-esteem and Satisfaction With Life of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
People-A Resource-Oriented Approach to Identity Work


Manfred Hintermair



In the context of the current identity discussions, the interrelations
between acculturations, psychological resources, and self-esteem as well
as the satisfaction with life of deaf and hard-of-hearing people (N =
629) were examined by means of a questionnaire-based survey. To check
these interrelations, one-factor and two-factor analyses of variance
were employed.



The results show that bicultural, deaf, and hearing acculturation styles
have the advantage over marginal acculturation, but the results for
marginal acculturation need to be discussed in depth to ensure a
comprehensive understanding of them.



All in all, bicultural acculturation seems to be a secure option for
psychosocial well-being. The availability of psychological resources
(optimism, self-efficacy) seems to be of special importance for the
quality of self-esteem and satisfaction with life.



On the other hand, the power of these psychological resources is closely
associated with good communicative conditions in the individual
biographies of the participants in this study as well as with their
education level.



Going beyond a methodological discussion then, the mission for educators
would seem to be one of making good communicative conditions available
to each deaf or hard-of-hearing child and optimizing academic
achievement so as to ensure a secure, comprehensive, and differentiated
opening up of the world and psychological empowerment. In this way, a
good foundation can be laid for developing quality of life.





Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education Advance Access originally
published online on October 29, 2007
The Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education 2008 13(2):278-300;
doi:10.1093/deafed/enm054

(c) The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press
<http://jdsde.oxfordjournals.org/misc/terms.shtml>



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