A Culturally and Linguistically Specific Deaf Depression Screener

描述（由申请人提供）：听力障碍/耳聋是美国最常见的感官限制。据估计，美国有1100万人耳聋或听力障碍。据估计，大约有100万美国人使用美国手语（ASL）作为他们的主要交流手段，使其成为一个独特的少数语言。该提案旨在通过创建一个计算机化的、自我管理的美国手语抑郁症筛查器来改善临床实践，该筛查器在文化和语言上对聋哑人都是可访问的

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Hearing impairment/deafness is the most common sensory limitation in the U.S. An estimated 11 million individuals in the US are deaf or hard-of-hearing. It has been estimated that approximately 1 million Americans use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary means of communication making it a distinct linguistic minority. This proposal seeks to improve clinical practice by creating a computerized, self-administered depression screener in ASL that is culturally and linguistically accessible to deaf individuals, an at-risk and traditionally underserved population. No current depression screeners have been shown to be valid for the majority of prelingually deaf persons who use ASL as their main communication mode. Studies have shown that depression occurs in higher rates among deaf persons than hearing persons. While the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended systematic screening for depression in primary care clinical settings in 2002, deaf persons have not yet routinely had access to this preventive service. Providing primary care physicians with a depression screener that is culturally and linguistically accurate and can be self-administered via computer and can be used on iPads and iPhones with no further development, can greatly increase the chance that deaf persons with depression will receive proper diagnostic assessment and treatment which can substantially improve their quality of life. The Deaf Depression Screener will also improve scientific knowledge by providing a valid method for estimating the prevalence of depression among deaf persons in primary care which cannot now be accomplished due to the lack of a valid screening instrument. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Screening for depression is recommended for all primary care patients. Deaf persons who use American Sign Language as their main mode of communications are at risk for depression and cannot be screened with existing screeners. This proposal will develop a computerized, self-administered Deaf Depression Screener in American Sign Language that is culturally and linguistically specific and deaf user friendly.