Psychological Well-being and Late-Deafness: An Examination of the Correlates, Predictors, and Mediators of Well-being

1. Psychological Well-being and Late-Deafness: An Examination of the Correlates, Predictors, and Mediators of Well-being Jill Meyer, MS, LCPC, PhD University of Missouri � St. Louis Missouri Institute of Mental Health Jill.Meyer@mimh.edu The approach to my research is moving towards the biopsychosocial model � which integrates the medical and social/cultural models of disability; meaning that it integrates medical aspects of conditions with important social and psychological characteristics(coping abilities) and social variables (culture, stress, social support) and their interactions in predicting optimal adjustment. Advancement on the traditional medical modelThe approach to my research is moving towards the biopsychosocial model � which integrates the medical and social/cultural models of disability; meaning that it integrates medical aspects of conditions with important social and psychological characteristics(coping abilities) and social variables (culture, stress, social support) and their interactions in predicting optimal adjustment. Advancement on the traditional medical model

2. Background Relevant Employment: University of Missouri Research Associate Faculty 1 locally funded and 2 federally funded and research grants Grants Administrator Challenge Unlimited, Inc. Vice President of HR for Rehabilitation Services Oversight of 6 rehab programs Served approximately 300 individuals with disabilities Director of Vocational Evaluation Completed all Vocational Evaluations Education: University of Missouri � St. Louis PhD- Counseling Education (CACREP) University of Illinois- Champaign MS � Rehabilitation Counseling (CORE) License: IL � LCPC Certifications CRC � 1996-2001 Re-applied

3. Overview Psychological well-being (PWB) Adaptation Theory and the Process of Adaptation Chronic Illness and Disability (CID) Coping (EFC & PFC) Late Deafness MY Line of research covers: MY Line of research covers:

4. Significance of Research Area Counseling diverse populations is a growing concern for counselors and mental health providers Hearing loss only increases with age & in frequency with an aging population 15% of population has hearing loss There is little info on wellbeing of individuals with hearing loss **Examine a theoretical approach on adjustment to hearing loss (late deafness) to better understand how coping affects PWB. Important � to understand that someone with a hearing loss is not defined by the loss, they are active members of society Counselors should understand that CID can greatly impact an individual�s happiness and well-being, and finding ways to better cope with the environmental stressors can directly and indirectly affect psychological well-being (improve quality of life). Important � to understand that someone with a hearing loss is not defined by the loss, they are active members of society Counselors should understand that CID can greatly impact an individual�s happiness and well-being, and finding ways to better cope with the environmental stressors can directly and indirectly affect psychological well-being (improve quality of life).

5. Examining the well-being of individuals with late-deafness What does that mean? The essence of life - Happiness (Diener, 2000; Ryff & Keyes, 1995; Selignam & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000) One�s state of being based on the interpretation & analysis of the sum conclusion of all life events (Diener, 2000) PWB- evolved from developmental theory and accounts for growth and change, which takes place over the course of a lifetime (Keyes, Shmotkin, & Ryff, 2002) Engaging in existential challenges in life Well-being � refers to psychological well-being ENGAGING IN EXISTENTIAL CHALLENGES In looking at all this I knew I wanted to somehow pull in positive psychology. So looking at the rehabilitation literature, concepts such as PWB, SWL and quality of life stood out as primary outcomes. Sure rehab improve function, but it also greatly improves quality of life. Well-being � refers to psychological well-being ENGAGING IN EXISTENTIAL CHALLENGES In looking at all this I knew I wanted to somehow pull in positive psychology. So looking at the rehabilitation literature, concepts such as PWB, SWL and quality of life stood out as primary outcomes. Sure rehab improve function, but it also greatly improves quality of life.

6. PWB - Ryff (1989b, 1995) and Ryff and Keyes (1995)