Deaf Research Projects
A Culturally and Linguistically Specific Deaf Depression Screener (2009).
The purpose of this Phase One SBIR, funded by NIMH is to develop a computerized, self-administered, culturally and linguistically accessible depression screener in American Sign Language (ASL) for use with deaf adults. Depression is the most common mental health condition managed in primary care settings. Early identification and treatment significantly decrease the negative impact of depression in most patients. While there are several written depression screeners available for the general population for use in primary care settings, these screeners are not suitable for use with deaf persons who identify as culturally deaf and for whom ASL is their first and most comfortable language. A pilot study conducted by our research team has indicated that individuals who are culturally deaf may not share the same concept of depression as is held by the developers of depression screeners. Therefore even in settings where interpreters or signing practitioners are available, these screeners may not yield meaningful results. Deaf persons are further disadvantaged in having cultural barriers that influence the likelihood that they will seek mental health screening and treatment.
The depression screener will be linked to DSM-IV criteria and will be used by primary care physicians, emergency room physicians and other health and service agency staff who care for deaf patients.
Grant Number: NIMH 1R42 MH085370-01
The Science of Addiction for Deaf High School Students (2006). Under SBIR Phase I and Phase II NIDA contracts our group has developed a curriculum, “The Brain and Addiction” on CDROM for deaf high school students in grades 9-12. This curriculum is delivered in American Sign Language with English captions (audio is also available). The curriculum covers the following topics:: 1) basic information about the anatomy of the brain with an emphasis on the Reward System and its functioning. 2) The function of neurotransmitters in the normal brain and the impact of drugs of abuse on neurotransmitters. The social, psychological and legal consequences of drug use and addiction are presented. 3) Three Deaf persons tell their real life stories of initiation into drug use, consequences of addiction and the difficult process of recovery. This curriculum uses and includes graphics and other visuals to Deaf-specific learning strategies are utilized throughout the curriculum. These include: Use of enhanced explanatory visuals, use of considerate text (which highlights new vocabulary, uses simple rather than complex sentences and carefully defines new terms and concepts), and use of story telling as a device to communicate complex social and neurobiology concepts. In addition the curriculum has user-friendly features to navigate and return to specific areas, self-test questions for students, and a visually-linked glossary.
Contract Number: NIDA HHSN271200611264C (ADB Contract NO. N44DA-6-1126)
Click here to view a screen shot of the curriculum
HIV Knowledge and Risk among Deaf Adolescents (2005). This computerized, self-administered survey was delivered in American Sign Language with English captions on laptop computer. This use of technology allows deaf students, whose main communication mode is ASL, to answer standardized questions anonymously. Parental consent and student assent were obtained. 721 students from 15 deaf high schools representing 14 US states have completed the survey. Main findings indicate a low basic HIV knowledge and some high risk behaviors. Additionally, 114 deaf students from mainstream high schools were also surveyed, data analysis is in process.
Grant Number: NIDCD 5 R01 DC007868-02
An Exploration of HIV/AIDS Perceptions, Knowledge and Beliefs (2004). Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted in ASL to explore the role of deaf culture in HIV health related behaviors. Results of this qualitative study indicated that among this sample, individuals were extremely concerned about confidentiality of HIV testing and because of the close knit nature of the deaf community and the stigma of taking a test for HIV, they would be willing to forgo optimal communication in order to protect their confidentiality. Several interviewees also reported that deaf youth is the segment of the deaf population most in need of HIV prevention information (Eckhardt et al., 2006).
Grant Number: NIMH 2R44MH62915-02
HIV Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs among Deaf Adults (2002). To address the limited information available regarding HIV knowledge among deaf adults, we developed a computerized, self-administered HIV/AIDS knowledge survey in ASL for use with deaf adults. The results indicate that the individuals (N=452) in this sample have deficits in their HIV knowledge which may have critical implications for HIV prevention. The lack of knowledge about condoms as an effective HIV prevention mechanism among 30% of the sample may indicate that general HIV messages do not reach many deaf persons. The belief among 23% of the sample that “HIV is a hearing persons’ disease” makes it likely that a substantial portion of the deaf population may not take preventive action against HIV, since they believe themselves not to be susceptible to infection (Goldstein et al., 2006).
Grant Number: NIMH 2R44MH62915-02
Click here to view a screen shot of the survey
Adult Mental Health Assessment Instrument (1999). Seven sections of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule-IV were adapted and translated into ASL (self-administrated on laptop computers) for individuals who are deaf (Eckhardt, Goldstein, Montya, & Steinberg, 2006; Eckhardt, Steinberg, Lipton, Montoya, & Goldstein, 1999; Steinberg, Lipton, Eckhardt, Goldstein, & Sullivan, 1998).The study sample consisted of 60 deaf inpatients and outpatients recruited from mental health treatment facilities in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. This survey was available to subjects in ASL with English captions. As an outgrowth of this work, we are currently working on the Phase I SBIR development of a culturally and linguistically specific depression screener for deaf adults (see above).
Grant Number: NIMH 5R44MH55943-3
Click here to view a screen shot of the survey
Tobacco Use among Deaf Youth in California (1997). Subcontracted by the University of California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program to develop a computerized tobacco use questionnaire in ASL, this instrument was used to survey 226 deaf adolescents in the Los Angeles area (Berman et al. 2000; Berman et al. 2006; Berman et al 2007). The survey inquired about health risk behaviors including tobacco use, alcohol use, and illegal substances. Results of this study indicated that deaf high school students engage in substance use behaviors that increase the risk of HIV/AIDS.
Drug and Alcohol Use among Deaf Adults (1996). Using a computerized survey developed by our team, a broadly representative sample of 821 deaf persons were surveyed about their use of drugs and alcohol (Lipton & Goldstein, 1997; Lipton, Goldstein, Fahnbulleh, & Gertz, 1996). This study found that rates of substance abuse were similar to those in hearing persons when analyzed by age specific categories. However, deaf persons had great difficulty obtaining appropriate (or any) treatment services.
Grant Number: NIDA 2R44DA08002-02