Deaf Persons' English Reading Levels and Associations with Epidemiological, Educational, and Cultural Factors

Abstract

One hundred six Michigan d/Deaf persons, part of a study evaluating how to improve d/Deaf persons' understanding of cancer prevention recommendations, had reading levels determined using the Test of Reading Comprehension, Syntactic Sentences. Respondents averaged 52 years old, 59% female, 84% Caucasian, 58% married, and 75% Deaf community members. The mean Test of Reading Comprehension, Syntactic Sentences score was 6.1 (women: 6.2, men: 6.0). Higher scores were associated with greater income (p = .02), employment (p = .01), education (high school p = .002, some college p < .001), English use (child at home, teacher in school, at home now: all p < .001), a hearing spouse (p = .003), hard of hearing/d/Deaf father (p = .02), losing hearing after age 20 years, believing smoking is bad (p < .001), speaking with and satisfaction with physicians and nurses (p < .001), good communication with (p = .01), and comfort discussing cancer with doctors (p < .001). Lower scores were associated with using American Sign Language with physicians and nurses (.019) and Deaf community membership (p = .02). In multivariate analysis, higher scores were associated with higher income, college degree, and teacher using English. Reading levels of a predominantly Deaf population were low. Higher income, college degree, and teacher using English were associated with higher reading levels.

Notes

Note. TORC-SS = Test of Reading Comprehension Subtest 2, Syntactic Structures.

Note. TORC-SS = Test of Reading Comprehension Subtest 2, Syntactic Structures.

*“Yes” means they were what the description says; “no” means they were not. Thus, for members of the Deaf community, “no” means they were not a member and “yes” means they were a member of the Deaf community.

**These are people who did not go to college, and compares those who completed high school (59.8%) versus those who did not (15.9%).

***The only significance in this category is between those whose spouse is Deaf and those whose spouse is hearing.

Note. TORC-SS = Test of Reading Comprehension Subtest 2, Syntactic Structures.