The Relationship Between Signed Languages and the Quality of Life of Deaf Adults in Malaysia

Various instruments have been used to assess the quality of life (QOL) of individuals. An exhaustive literature review identifies which instruments can be used to evaluate participants' QOL in the deaf community and how those instruments can be employed to assess one’s self-acceptance/advocacy, perception of stigma, and participation in society. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate how mode of signing, such as natural Malaysian Sign language compared to contrived systems, in one’s childhood and adult life, may influence the QOL of Malaysian deaf adults. The Youth Quality of Life Instrument - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Module (YQOL-DHH) was translated and formatted for online administration in Malaysian Sign Language, Malay, and English. This study examined QOL in relation to demographic variables, satisfaction with signed communication across three settings, and the most commonly used signed communication in these settings during one’s previous school years. This study did not find that one’s most frequently used signed language during previous schooling, across settings, had a statistically significant impact on QOL for deaf adults in Malaysia; however, satisfaction with signed communication in the past correlated with self-acceptance in adulthood. These findings may provide insight into the intersection between the signed language deaf adults use in their daily lives and their QOL in Malaysia. These findings may provide insight into how Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia, (Malaysian Signed Language), might be studied further by researchers and policymakers.