Condom Use Among Deaf College Students

The overarching aim for the current study was to assess the prevalence of condom use among college students who are deaf and determine if it differed from their hearing peers. Prior to this study, the modest information available suggested that deaf adults were likely engaging in significantly more risky sexual practices than hearing adults. To elucidate this topic, a sample of deaf college students was recruited from a predominately deaf university and administered measures that assessed their current sexual behavior and utilization of condoms during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Of the three types of sexual contact studied, the results indicated that deaf college students engage in significantly more risky sexual behavior (i.e., less consistent condom use) during vaginal intercourse than hearing young adults. The study concluded by suggesting how future research may explore the motivations and barriers for condom use among deaf young adults, a necessary first step for creating prevention and intervention programs precisely tailored to the needs of deaf college students

Signing While Driving: An Investigation of Divided Attention Resources Among Deaf Drivers

Safely operating vehicles require significant visual attention. While attention can be divided, cognitive resources are not limitless. Deaf and hearing participants engaged in a simulated driving task while simultaneously engaging in a conversation in their preferred language. Results indicated that hearing drivers may have a performance advantage over deaf drivers, though it is so minor that it will not likely be seen outside of the laboratory setting. The results also indicated differing cognitive processing among hearing and deaf drivers. The results may inform policy, reduce stigma, and serve as the base for future research on deaf-specific cognitive factors of driving

Condom Use Among Deaf College Students

The overarching aim for the current study was to assess the prevalence of condom use among college students who are deaf and determine if it differed from their hearing peers. Prior to this study, the modest information available suggested that deaf adults were likely engaging in significantly more risky sexual practices than hearing adults. To elucidate this topic, a sample of deaf college students was recruited from a predominately deaf university and administered measures that assessed their current sexual behavior and utilization of condoms during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Of the three types of sexual contact studied, the results indicated that deaf college students engage in significantly more risky sexual behavior (i.e., less consistent condom use) during vaginal intercourse than hearing young adults. The study concluded by suggesting how future research may explore the motivations and barriers for condom use among deaf young adults, a necessary first step for creating prevention and intervention programs precisely tailored to the needs of deaf college students