Socio-Demographic Variables as Predictors of Psychological Well-Being amongst the Adolescents with Hearing Impairment in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Studies on the psychological well-being of adolescents with hearing impairment are generally scanty and have not sufficiently addressed socio-demographic variables of interest on the psychological well-being of such adolescents. This study, therefore, investigated the relative contributions and predictive value of age, gender and socio-economic status on psychological Well-being of adolescents with hearing impairment in southwest, Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design of ex-post facto type. Purposive sampling was used to select eight senior secondary schools and 491 adolescents with hearing impairment using a battery operated audiometer. Two validated instruments were used to gather data for the study. Two research questions were answered. Data were analysed using multiple regression analysis. Two (Age- B= .309; t = 1.250; p>.05 and Gender-B= 1.961; t = 1.241; p>.05) of the three independent variables could lowly predict psychological well being, while Socio-Economic Status (B= -.214; t = 1.076; p>.05) has a discordant prediction to psychological well being. Age and gender made significant contributions that are, even though, low but Socio-Economic Status accounted for the least contribution towards psychological well being. Hearing impaired adolescents and their managers be exposed to training workshops on positive development of age and gender. Counselling psychologists and special educators via this finding should provide a strong basis for bridging the gap in past research on the concreteness and gravity of psychological well-being among the hearing impaired adolescents in southwestern Nigeria.

Keywords: Psychological well-being, Adolescents, Hearing impairment, Age, Gender