A programme to enhance resilience in families in which a child has a hearing loss

[摘要] ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to identify and enhance specific resilience qualities that helpprotect and support families in overcoming the adversity of having a child with a hearingimpairment. The study was divided into two phases, namely (a) the descriptive phase, whichaimed to identify and explore the resilience qualities that foster better adaptation in thesefamilies and (b) the intervention phase, which aimed to develop, implement and evaluate anintervention programme that enhances the utilisation of social support, one importantresilience quality identified in the descriptive phase of the study.The study was essentially exploratory and descriptive in nature and was directed atdeveloping scientific knowledge and theory in the field of family resilience. Using theResiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & McCubbin,1996) as the theoretical framework, the resilience process was mapped in terms of stressors,risk and protective factors, and family adaptation.The 54 participating families in the descriptive phase were identified according to the natureof the crisis (hearing impairment) and the developmental phase of the family. Theparticipants were obtained by means of a non-probability, purposive sampling procedure andwere drawn from the black, coloured and white cultural subgroups residing in the WesternCape, South Africa. Both quantitative and qualitative measures were used for data collection.The results were analysed predominantly according to correlation and regression analysestechniques, while the qualitative data was categorised according to themes and frequencies.Results showed that family time and routine, social support, affirming communication, familyhardiness, problem-solving skills, religion, a search for meaning and accepting the disabilitywere factors promoting resilience in these families. A randomised pretest-posttest control group design was applied in the intervention phase ofthe study. The 31 participants were identified in the initial phase of the study and belonged tothe coloured cultural subgroup. Data was again collected using quantitative and qualitativemeasures and was analysed using repeated measures analysis of variance and groundedtheory analysis. The results did not indicate a statistically significant change in the utilisationof social support following the implementation of the workshop. The qualitative data,however, highlighted that the participants reported greater support from the immediate andextended family, increased family time and routine, as well as improved communication andproblem-solving skills following the workshop.The study generally offers valuable knowledge that can be incorporated in psychological andsocial training programmes, preventative community interventions and therapeutic settings.The positive and pragmatic approach adopted in the study ensures that families areempowered by bringing them hope, helping them develop new competencies and buildingmutual support. The study has opened various new avenues for future research in the field offamily resilience and hearing impairment.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University