How Do Deaf Adults Define Quality of Life?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2017

Department

Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education

Abstract

Six deaf adults defined quality of life (QOL) in personal interviews. Questions were based on an eight-domain QOL framework: physical well-being, emotional well-being, interpersonal relations, social inclusion, personal development, material well-being, self-determination, and rights (Schalock & Alonso, 2002). The interview process had three phases. First, a pilot study (N = 3) evaluated the questions for logic, clarity, and applicability. Next, six deaf adults participated in videotaped, structured interviews. Then four deaf adults participated in videotaped, structured follow-up interviews. Interpretive coding was used in data analysis to establish themes across participants. Five QOL themes, as explained by the participants, emerged from the interviews: (a) Being deaf was integral to who the study participants were. (b) Friends and family were important. (c) Independence was valued. (d) The local vocational rehabilitation services department hindered QOL. (e) Multiple problems existed with interpreters and interpreting in the medical field.

Publication Title

American Annals of the Deaf

Volume

162

Issue

4

First Page

333

Last Page

349

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