Assessment of issues of Deaf People’s identity in respect of psychological distress; implications...

(c) Peter Weinreich 2014 1

6th World Congress on Mental Health & Deafness, Belfast, 16-19 September 2014

Assessment of issues of Deaf People’s identity in respect of psychological distress; implications for human rights

Peter Weinreich, University of Ulster, &Johanna Lodge, Trainee with New Life Counselling

https://ulster.academia.edu/[email protected]@yahoo.co.uk

https://ulster.academia.edu/PeterWeinreich

https://ulster.academia.edu/PeterWeinreich

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Topics1. Identity processes of Deaf and

Hearing People2. Conceptual framework: Identity

Structure Analysis3. Indicative examples of Deaf and

Hearing People’s identifications with others

4. Core and conflicted dimensions of identity: values and beliefs

5. Psychological distress in Deaf People

6. Societal agencies in respect of Deaf People’s human rights


Identity processes of Deaf and Hearing People

Consider the person’s developmental and socio-psychological processes that underlie the sense of identity over the life-cycle in changing socio-historical contexts

Two major processes– developmental in time: identification with others (e.g., parents)

– socio-psychological: appraisal of self and others in various contexts

both mediated by language and communication

Differences between Deaf and Hearing persons’ identification processes?– Consequences for the development of core and conflicted dimensions of identity

representing the individual person’s value and belief system


Conceptual framework: Identity Structure Analysis (ISA)

ISA consists of:– theoretical postulates about identification and appraisal

processes– definitions of socio-psychological concepts

translated into algorithms operationalised by the ipseus software

– in respect of ISA customised instruments– ‘themes’ (of investigative relevance) – presented as ‘bipolar constructs’

– ‘domains’ (of societal agents and agencies, including ‘self’ in context) – presented as ‘entities’

an ISA instrument consists of a matrix: entities by bipolar constructs

Confusion about what the notion of ‘identification’ means – – two modes:

aspirational-identification with others (over the longer term)empathetic-identification with others (engaging in the current moment)

– which modulates according to context and mood state

Appraisal of an entity consists of its construal in terms of attributions made and evaluation of them.



Case Study 1: Deaf woman, age 31, working with Deaf people


Indicative examples of Deaf and Hearing People’s identifications with others: Case

1, Deaf Woman, age 31Identification with Deaf and Hearing people Aspirational-

identification…(0.00 to 1.00)

Empathetic-identification…(0.00 to 1.00)

… with: (Evaluation –1.00 to 1.00)

11 Deaf people[Evaluation –0.34]

0.26 0.35

12 Hearing people[Evaluation 0.12]

0.48 0.43

Identification with professionals for Deaf People13 Professionals working with Deaf People

[Evaluation 0.27]

0.65 0.61

15 Service Provision Managers for Deaf People

[Evaluation 0.20]

0.57 0.48


Core dimensions of identity (values and beliefs): Case 1, Deaf Woman, age 31

Societal relationship theme [SP ranges from –100 through zero to +100]

– issue of status of Deaf people in society in respect of countering inequality and inferiority

Mental health theme

– propensity to foreground being in control day-to-day – given the vicissitudes of events this is likely to result in judgments of failure


12 … makes a positive contribution to Deaf people / makes Deaf people feel inferior

78

08 … see themselves as an equal to society in general / see themselves as not being equal to society in general

77

15 … is in control of everyday activities / does not know from day to day what is happening

78

Conflicted dimensions of identity (values and beliefs): Case 1, Deaf Woman, age 31Communication theme [SP ranges from –100 through zero to +100]

– stress of alternative contexts/channels of communication

Mental health theme

– stress of alternating mood states

Deafness syndrome theme

– stress about whom to trust(c) Peter Weinreich 2014 8

05 does not lipread / lipreads 29

02 uses only spoken language / uses Sign Language when communicating with Deaf people

–7

16 mostly experiences anxiety day to day / usually feels good

23

17 experiences much depression / is usually on top form 5

20 trust hearing people / trust Deaf people 21

Psychological distress - Deaf People: Case 1, Deaf Woman, age 31

Appraisal of Deaf people (entity 11) for mental health issues

Constructs 14 – 17 [score: –4 through zero to +4] [SP ranges from –100 through zero to +100]

i.e., Deaf People are appraised by this Deaf Woman as seriously psychologically distressed, to the extent of warranting attention by mental health professionals


15 is in control of everyday activities / does not know from day to day what is happening (–3)

78

14 has skills for dealing with inner life (thoughts, feelings, impulses, sensations and experiences) / is poor at dealing with inner life (–2)

65

16 mostly experiences anxiety day to day (–4) / usually feels good

23

17 experiences much depression (–3) / is usually on top form

5

Societal agencies in respect of Deaf People’s human rights:

Case 1, Deaf Woman, age 3113 Professionals working with Deaf People: Appraisal [score: –4 through zero to +4]

- in advocating human rights for Deaf People, these professionals are perceived as simultaneously undermining their clients

15 Service Provision Managers for Deaf People: Appraisal [score: –4 through zero to +4]

(c) Peter Weinreich 2014

- in advocating human rights for Deaf People, these professionals are perceived as both making their clients feel inferior and undermining them

10

12 makes a positive contribution to Deaf people (+1) / makes Deaf people feel inferior11 does little to promote human rights for Deaf people / effectively advocates human rights for Deaf people (+3)10 being free as the right of each and every human being / undermines the right of Deaf people to be free (–3)

12 makes a positive contribution to Deaf people / makes Deaf people feel inferior (–1)11 does little to promote human rights for Deaf people / effectively advocates human rights for Deaf people (+1)10 being free as the right of each and every human being/ undermines the right of Deaf people to be free (–2)


Case study 2: Deaf woman, age 63, working full-time with Deaf and Hearing People (diploma level)



2, Deaf Woman, age 63Identification with Deaf and Hearing people

Aspirational-identification…(0.00 to 1.00)



11 Deaf people[Evaluation 0.35]

0.65 0.65

12 Hearing people[Evaluation 0.12]

0.70 0.65

Identification with Professionals for Deaf People17 Mental Health Professionals

[Evaluation 0.20]

0.65 0.74

13 Professionals working with Deaf People

[Evaluation 0.22]

0.65 0.74


Core dimensions of identity (values and beliefs): Case 2, Deaf Woman, age 63


– advocacy of human rights for all including Deaf people – a broad perspective constituting exemplar role models

Self-reflection theme

– judgement in respect of sensitivity to her own concerns


06 are positive role models / are negative role models 7910 being free as the right of each and every human being / undermines the right of Deaf people to be free

74

21 represents me and my concerns / does not represent me 75

Conflicted dimensions of identity (values and beliefs): Case 2, Deaf Woman, age 63

Communication theme [SP ranges from –100 through zero to +100]


Societal relationships theme

– ambivalence in respect of relating on equal terms to both mainstream and Deaf communities

– stress about whom to trust



15


07 feels part of the wider community / feels part of the Deaf community

20

09 is seen as their equal by society / is not regarded as their equal by society

26

13 some hearing people understand the needs of the Deaf / only Deaf people understand the needs of the Deaf

–15

Psychological distress - Deaf People: Case 2, Deaf Woman, age 63



i.e., Deaf People are appraised by this Deaf Woman as being generally anxious and not having the skills for coping with inner untoward feelings , though in conjunction with having everyday control of activities, being usually on top form


15 is in control of everyday activities (+3) / does not know from day to day what is happening

58

17 experiences much depression / is usually on top form (+3)

57

16 mostly experiences anxiety day to day (–2) / usually feels good

36

14 has skills for dealing with inner life (thoughts, feelings, impulses, sensations and experiences) / is poor at dealing with inner life (–2)

30


Case 2, Deaf Woman, age 6313 Professionals working with Deaf People: Appraisal [score: –4 through zero to +4]

– these professionals are perceived by this Deaf woman as making a positive contribution to human rights for Deaf People



– while perceived as making a positive contribution to Deaf People, these professionals are regarded as doing little for their clients’ human rights

16

12 makes a positive contribution to Deaf people (+2) / makes Deaf people feel inferior11 does little to promote human rights for Deaf people / effectively advocates human rights for Deaf people (+3)10 being free as the right of each and every human being (+2)/ undermines the right of Deaf people to be free

12 makes a positive contribution to Deaf people (+2)/ makes Deaf people feel inferior11 does little to promote human rights for Deaf people (–2) / effectively advocates human rights for Deaf people10 being free as the right of each and every human being (+1)/ undermines the right of Deaf people to be free


Case study 3: Hearing man, age 23, internship university level, who had never met anyone deaf until he recently met a Deaf woman in a shared house.



3, Hearing Man, age 23 Identification with Deaf and Hearing

people Aspirational-




11 Deaf people Null Null12 Hearing people

[Evaluation –0.08]

0.39 0.60

Identification with Professionals for Deaf People: Null

Identification with other significant Professionals

18 Doctors[Evaluation 0.36]

0.78 0.95

20 Social Workers[Evaluation 0.29]

0.74 0.85


Core dimensions of identity (values and beliefs): Case 3, Hearing Man, age 23


– advocacy of human rights in general constituting exemplar role models

Mental health theme

– appraisals of the social world in terms inner-life skills and everyday control


06 are positive role models / are negative role models 74

08 see themselves as an equal to society in general / see themselves as not being equal to society in general

73

14 has skills for dealing with inner life (thoughts, feelings, impulses, sensations and experiences) / is poor at dealing with inner life

74

15 is in control of everyday activities / does not know from day to day what is happening

76

Core dimensions of identity (values and beliefs): Case 3, Hearing Man, age 23

Self-reflection theme [SP ranges from –100 through zero to +100]

– judgement in respect of sensitivity to his own influence

Unemployment theme

– significance of employment status in appraising self and others


22 have been told I misinterpret events and situations / am aware that my thoughts influence the interpretation of the situation

73

23 is employed is / is looking for work 73

Conflicted dimensions of identity (values and beliefs): Case 3 Hearing Man, age 23


– aspiration to communicate with deaf people desired, but pragmatically unrealisable


– stress over conflicting propensities about cure



6


18 cure to deafness / no cure to deafness 1

Psychological distress - Deaf People: Case 3, Hearing Man, age 23

Null Appraisal of Deaf People in all respects



Case 3, Hearing Man, age 2318 Doctors: Appraisal [score: –4 through zero to +4]

20 Social Workers: Appraisal [score: –4 through zero to +4]


– in lieu of knowledge of professionals with a remit for Deaf People, this Hearing Man perceives Doctors and Social Workers as providing a degree of support for their rights.

23

10 being free as the right of each and every human being (+1) / undermines the right of Deaf people to be free11 does little to promote human rights for Deaf people / effectively advocates human rights for Deaf people (+1)12 makes a positive contribution to Deaf people (+1) / makes Deaf people feel inferior

10 being free as the right of each and every human being (+1) / undermines the right of Deaf people to be free11 does little to promote human rights for Deaf people / effectively advocates human rights for Deaf people (+1)12 makes a positive contribution to Deaf people (+1) / makes Deaf people feel inferior


Case study 4: Hearing woman, age 63, university level, strong association with Deaf people given her past work experience with Deaf boys in a Deaf School and also having a brother who is deaf



4, Hearing Woman, age 63Identification with Deaf and Hearing people Aspirational-




11 Deaf people[Evaluation –0.06]

0.43 0.67

12 Hearing people[Evaluation –0.08]

0.22 0.39

Identification with Professionals for Deaf People17 Mental Health Professionals


0.22 0.61

13 Professionals working with Deaf People


0.26 0.50(c) Peter Weinreich 2014 25

Core dimensions of identity (values and beliefs): Case 4, Hearing Woman, age 63


– advocacy of human rights in general and in respect of Deaf People


08 see themselves as an equal to society in general / see themselves as not being equal to society in general

67

11 does little to promote human rights for Deaf people / effectively advocates human rights for Deaf people

64

Conflicted dimensions of identity (values and beliefs): Case 4, Hearing Woman, age 63



Societal relationships theme

– ambivalence in respect of positioning in relation to mainstream and Deaf communities

– stress about whom to trust



16

01 good communicator / poor communicator 13

03 interprets sign language wholly and correctly / gives an incomplete shorthand

–9

07 feels part of the wider community / feels part of the Deaf community

–29

Conflicted dimensions of identity (values and beliefs): Case 4, Hearing Woman, age 63

Mental health theme [SP ranges from –100 through zero to +100]

– conflicted appraisals about issues of psychological distress


– ambivalence in respect of positioning in relation to mainstream and Deaf communities


17 experiences much depression / is usually on top form 1014 has skills for dealing with inner life (thoughts, feelings, impulses, sensations and experiences) / is poor at dealing with inner life

4

16 mostly experiences anxiety day to day / usually feels good

3

20 trust hearing people / trust Deaf people –2

Psychological distress - Deaf People: Case 4, Hearing Woman, age 63



i.e., Deaf People are appraised by this Hearing Woman as seriously psychologically distressed, to the extent of warranting attention by mental health professionals


15 is in control of everyday activities / does not know from day to day what is happening (–4)

27

17 experiences much depression (–4)/ is usually on top form 1014 has skills for dealing with inner life (thoughts, feelings, impulses, sensations and experiences) / is poor at dealing with inner life (–4)

4

16 mostly experiences anxiety day to day(–2) / usually feels good

3


Case 4, Hearing Woman, age 6313 Professionals working with Deaf People: Appraisal [score: –4 through zero to +4]

– these professionals are perceived by this Hearing woman as demeaning Deaf People



– this Hearing Woman appraises these professionals with as undermining their clients

30

11 does little to promote human rights for Deaf people / effectively advocates human rights for Deaf people [zero]10 being free as the right of each and every human being / undermines the right of Deaf people to be free (–2)12 makes a positive contribution to Deaf people / makes Deaf people feel inferior (–2)

11 does little to promote human rights for Deaf people / effectively advocates human rights for Deaf people [zero]10 being free as the right of each and every human being / undermines the right of Deaf people to be free (–1)12 makes a positive contribution to Deaf people / makes Deaf people feel inferior (–3)

ConclusionsThe experiential identity processes of deaf and hearing individuals contribute to their appraisals of mental health issues and human rightsEmpathetic-identification tends to be closer with those who are not of greater aspirational identification, a compromising of aspirational standards in everyday contextsUse of values and beliefs to appraise others follows different patterns of identification with othersCase study 3, the 23 year-old hearing man, has no knowledge of Deaf People, but has a benign view of support provided them by Doctors and Social workersCase studies 1 and 2 Deaf women and 4 Hearing woman, working with Deaf People, reveal profound dilemmas in the identity processes of Deaf PeopleCommunication is a central issue that is highly fraught for Deaf People and those working with them


ConclusionsDeaf People appraised as being in chronic states of psychological distress (a mental health issue)Professionals with a remit on behalf of the well-being and human rights of Deaf People are appraised as demeaning their clientsMental health professionals require additional training in respect of psychological issues germane to therapeutic endeavours with deaf peopleFor Deaf People with mental health problems ‘human rights’ issues of proper and effective treatment require that appropriate assessment is resourced and implementedISA with Ipseus is demonstrated as being an effective day-to-day practitioner tool for the assessment of the biographical experiences and the cultural contexts of deaf peopleISA is able to provide guidance for the manner by which experiential features of psychological distress in deaf people of whatever age may be addressed by mental health therapists and counsellors


ReferencesPeter Weinreich and Wendy Saunderson (Eds.) (2013) Analysing identity: Cross-cultural, societal and clinical contexts. Hove: Routledge & Psychology Press (Taylor & Francis) http://www.routledge.com/books/

Weinreich, P., and Ewart, S. (2007) Ipseus computer software for identity exploration. Belfast: Identity Exploration Ltd. http://identityexploration.com.


http://www.routledge.com/books/



http://identityexploration.com/

http://identityexploration.com/

Assessment of issues of Deaf People’s identity in respect of psychological distress; implications...

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