Funktionaalinen tapauskuvausmalli ja psykologiset interventiot kuurosokeiden ja kuurojen henkilöiden hyvinvoinnin lisäämiseksi

Abstract

The present research aimed to apply the functional case formulation strategy and analytic case formulation model known as the functional analytic clinical case diagram (FACCD) to describe and understand the behavioral problems and causal variables associated with problems in the population with hearing and vision impairments. The aim of Study I was to describe the group of deaf-blind people from a psychological perspective by gathering both the knowledge and practical experiences of individuals with hearing and visual impairments. The aim of Study II was to investigate how deafblind people experiencing multiple psychological problems were assessed by healthcare pro-fessionals who were trained in functional analyses and in applying FACCD. Two case examples were given to illustrate the complexity of a deafblind person’s life situation and the functional relations among problems and possible causal variables. Study III presented a case example of the behavioral assessment and treatment of a person with Prader-Willi syndrome, hearing and vision difficulties, a mild learning disability, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, and an overweight BMI. This case example showed that although inherited disorders cannot be cured, psychological interventions can significantly in-crease the quality of life of people afflicted with them. Study IV investigated the usefulness and effectiveness of brief treatments delivered by staff members of a rehabilitation center for deaf clients. Staff members (n = 9) were trained in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and provided treatment to deaf clients. The results showed positive changes in wellbeing among the deaf clients as well as among the staff members. In sum, the results showed that a clinical case formulation model such as the FACCD can be a useful tool when selecting targets for the treatment of people with vision, hearing, and communication problems and when making further treatment decisions. The findings showed that deafblindness and deafness can be associated with psychological problems that may benefit from more precise psychological assessment and treatment. Thus, cognitive behavioral assessment and intervention procedures should be applied more in assessment and treatment to increase the quality of life of these minority groups.