%0 Journal Article %A Heffernan, Eithne %A Coulson, Neil S. %A Henshaw, Helen %A G. Barry, Johanna %A Ferguson, Melanie A %D 2016 %T Understanding the psychosocial experiences of adults with mild-moderate hearing loss: An application of Leventhal’s self-regulatory model %U https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Understanding_the_psychosocial_experiences_of_adults_with_mild_moderate_hearing_loss_An_application_of_Leventhal_s_self_regulatory_model/3204622 %R 10.6084/m9.figshare.3204622.v1 %2 https://ndownloader.figshare.com/files/5029717 %K Hearing loss %K Leventhal’s self-regulatory model %K common sense model %K illness representations %K psychosocial impact %K qualitative research %X

Objective: This study explored the psychosocial experiences of adults with hearing loss using the self-regulatory model as a theoretical framework. The primary components of the model, namely cognitive representations, emotional representations, and coping responses, were examined. Design: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data were analysed using an established thematic analysis procedure. Study sample: Twenty-five adults with mild-moderate hearing loss from the UK and nine hearing healthcare professionals from the UK, USA, and Canada were recruited via maximum variation sampling. Results: Cognitive representations: Most participants described their hearing loss as having negative connotations and consequences, although they were not particularly concerned about the progression or controllability/curability of the condition. Opinions differed regarding the benefits of understanding the causes of one’s hearing loss in detail. Emotional representations: negative emotions dominated, although some experienced positive emotions or muted emotions. Coping responses: engaged coping (e.g. hearing aids, communication tactics) and disengaged coping (e.g. withdrawal from situations, withdrawal within situations): both had perceived advantages and disadvantages. Conclusions: This novel application of the self-regulatory model demonstrates that it can be used to capture the key psychosocial experiences (i.e. perceptions, emotions, and coping responses) of adults with mild-moderate hearing loss within a single, unifying framework.

%I Taylor & Francis