Knutson John F, Johnson Abigail, Murray Kathleen T
Department of Psychology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Br J Health Psychol. 2006 May;11(Pt 2):279-92. doi: 10.1348/135910705X52273.
Because past research has shown that benefits of cochlear implantation may include a significant decrease in psychological and emotional difficulties, this study examined whether persons seeking cochlear implants in recent years differed psychologically from those referred in the early 1980s. A second objective was to explore mechanisms by which profound deafness could contribute to psychological and emotional difficulties for implant candidates and their spouses.
178 cochlear implant candidates referred from 1981 to 1998 at the University of Iowa Hospitals completed a standard battery of psychological tests and questionnaires. The sample was divided into six 3-year cohorts and compared on standardized measures of psychological and emotional adjustment, and in participation in social and non-social activities. Spouses of implant candidates completed a similar assessment.
The sample was characterized by elevations in depression, social introversion, suspiciousness, and social anxiety and loneliness. There were no significant differences among cohorts across time except for an increase in expectations for implant success. Spouses also evidenced elevated levels of psychological distress. Hearing status was associated with significant differences in social activity participation. A paradoxical interaction was found between marital status and deafness.
There was no evidence that the psychological status of implant candidates is changing across time, suggesting continued psychological benefit for persons receiving cochlear implants. Both candidates and their spouses participated in fewer social activities than normal controls. Findings underscore the complex relation between marital status, deafness, and engagement and participation in positive activities.
由于过去的研究表明，人工耳蜗植入的益处可能包括显著减少心理和情绪问题，本研究调查了近年来寻求人工耳蜗植入的人与20世纪80年代初转诊的人在心理上是否存在差异。第二个目的是探讨重度耳聋可能给植入候选者及其配偶带来心理和情绪问题的机制。
1981年至1998年在爱荷华大学医院转诊的178名人工耳蜗植入候选者完成了一套标准的心理测试和问卷调查。样本被分为六个3年队列，并在心理和情绪调适的标准化测量以及参与社交和非社交活动方面进行比较。植入候选者的配偶完成了类似的评估。
样本的特点是抑郁、社交内向、多疑、社交焦虑和孤独感升高。除了对植入成功的期望增加外，各队列在不同时间没有显著差异。配偶也表现出心理困扰水平升高。听力状况与社交活动参与的显著差异有关。在婚姻状况和耳聋之间发现了一种矛盾的相互作用。
没有证据表明植入候选者的心理状态随时间变化，这表明接受人工耳蜗植入的人在心理上持续受益。候选者及其配偶参与的社交活动都比正常对照组少。研究结果强调了婚姻状况、耳聋与参与积极活动之间的复杂关系。
