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Research ArticleOriginal Research

Assessment of Depressive Symptoms in Deaf Persons

Philip Zazove, Helen E. Meador, James E. Aikens, Donald E. Nease and Daniel W. Gorenflo
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine March 2006, 19 (2) 141-147; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.19.2.141
Philip Zazove
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Helen E. Meador
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James E. Aikens
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Donald E. Nease
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Daniel W. Gorenflo
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This article has a correction. Please see:

  • Corrections to “Assessment of Depressive Symptoms in Deaf Persons” and “Peer Reviewers for the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine in 2005” - July 01, 2006

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests that Deaf people may have a greater prevalence of depressive symptoms. However, it is unclear whether commonly used written screening instruments are accurate with this population because of their unique cultural and linguistic factors.

Setting: Deaf persons (n = 71) residing in southeastern Michigan.

Methods: Subjects completed the Zung Self-Rated Depression Scale in both the written (ZSDS-W) and American Sign Language (ZSDS-S) formats and the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) in American Sign Language in counterbalanced order, followed by a Test Of Reading Comprehension (TORC). They also provided extensive data on demographic, hearing loss, language use, social and health care use variables.

Results: Mean subject age was 52 years, 63% of subjects were women, 95% were Caucasian, and 47% were married (87% to another deaf/hard of hearing person). Thirty percent had a college degree and 20% had less than a 10th grade education. The ZSDS-W and ZSDS-S scores were highly correlated (r = +0.79), although the mean ZSDS-W score was 2.8 points higher (P = .001). The ZSDS-S correlated more highly (r = 0.80) with the HAM-D than the ZSDS-W (r = 0.71). There was a significant interaction effect (P < .001) such that the ZSDS-W and HAM-D were significantly associated among higher literacy subjects (β = 0.80, P < .001) but not lower literacy subjects (β = 0.20, P = .183). There were no other significant associations between depression scores and numerous demographic, educational, hearing loss, social or language variables.

Conclusions: Compared with the conventional ZSDS-W, the ZSDS-S more accurately assesses depression severity among deaf persons with lower English literacy. However, given the greater sensitivity of the ZSDS-W and the practical barriers to ZSDS-S in physician practices, further research should determine which modality is best for routine depression screening.

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The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine: 19 (2)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Vol. 19, Issue 2
March-April 2006
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Assessment of Depressive Symptoms in Deaf Persons
Philip Zazove, Helen E. Meador, James E. Aikens, Donald E. Nease, Daniel W. Gorenflo
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Mar 2006, 19 (2) 141-147; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.19.2.141

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Assessment of Depressive Symptoms in Deaf Persons
Philip Zazove, Helen E. Meador, James E. Aikens, Donald E. Nease, Daniel W. Gorenflo
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Mar 2006, 19 (2) 141-147; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.19.2.141
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