FY 2008 Annual Report of Achievements - Gallaudet University

Social Work
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Social Workers: Licensing and Employment Equity
See College of Professional Studies and Outreach.
Drinking Among Deaf and Hard of Hearing College Students
Status: Ongoing Begin date: January 2005 End date: No set date
Principal Investigator(s):
Mason, Teresa Crowe – Social Work
Schiller, James – Social Work
Description:
This study examines differences in scores on the College Alcohol Problem Scale (CAPS)
among class ranks and gathers information about alcohol prevention efforts for deaf college
students. Two hundred eighty-six deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing college students completed a
21-item questionnaire. The questionnaire included eight items for the College Alcohol Problem
Scale (CAPS), six items related to alcohol prevention, and seven demographic items. Cronbach alpha
for the CAPS was .77. A principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted because the
questionnaire was given to students for whom American Sign Language was their primary language.
The PCA yielded a two-component instrument, which is consistent with other studies of hearing
college students. Analysis of variance results indicated a significant difference in scores among
college seniors and graduate students, with college seniors reporting more alcohol-associated
problems. Comparisons of other ranks on the CAPS scores were nonsignificant. In addition,
students prioritized deaf subgroups in need of prevention efforts, ranking the highest group in need
as deaf children ages 13 to 18, followed by deaf children under the age of 12. The majority of
students ranked prevention efforts and indicated a preference for education geared primarily toward
DVDs and videotapes, followed by workshops, classroom instruction, group counseling, posters,
and finally, pamphlets. The results of this study suggest a need for early education about alcohol
prevention. Prevention efforts may be more effective for the deaf and hard of hearing population if
they are provided in a visual format and in sign language. A paper summarizing this data has been
submitted for publication and is under review. Interview data were also collected as a qualitative
component to this study. These data are in the analysis stage; a second paper, summarizing that data,
is under review and will be submitted for publication at a later time.
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