Abstract
The research examined the socio-emotional impact of sight loss on a sample of 18 blind and partially sighted adults from the east coast of Scotland (average age 64). The impact of sight loss in four core areas (mood, self-concept, social connectedness and loss) was explored. Data were collected using the mental health and social functioning subscales of the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 and semi-structured interviews. Data indicated that participants experienced reduced mental health and decreased social functioning as a result of sight loss. Data also showed that participants shared common socio-emotional issues during transition from sight to blindness, relating to diagnosis, coping with deterioration of sight, experiencing loss, experiencing changed perceptions of self in relation to society, experiencing others in a changed way and experiencing rehabilitation. A theoretical model describing the socio-emotional transition from sight to blindness is proposed. Implications for practice are explored.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 90-112 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| Journal | British Journal of Visual Impairment |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 17 May 2010 |
Keywords
- Blindness
- Sight loss
- Socio-emotional impact
- Transition to blindness
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Dive into the research topics of 'Socio-emotional effects of the transition from sight to blindness'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Student theses
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Emotional support and inclusion for blind and partially sighted people in the United Kingdom: the development of counselling for sight loss, a pluralistic practice model
Thurston, M. (Author), Dickens, G. L. (Supervisor) & Hardie, S. M. (Supervisor), Jun 2017Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis
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