Examining the relationship between participation and environmental context in visually impaired and blind adults
Life Span and Disability, cilt.25, sa.2, ss.315-335, 2022 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 25 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2022
- Dergi Adı: Life Span and Disability
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, Psycinfo, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.315-335
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Low vision, Blind, Visually impaired, Participation, Environment
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Introduction: Individual characteristics, activities that are valuable to the individual as well as environmental circumstances that may impact the performance of life roles, may affect the success of participation. Visually impaired individuals often have problems in participation. However, it is difficult to encounter studies examining the causes and solutions of these problems from their perspective. Methods: This study assessed the relationship between environmental context and participation in visually impaired and blind adults. Three groups of 50 adults, aged 18 to 65 years old, in a low vision group, a blind group, and a sighted group were included in the study. Personal factors, environmental context, and level of limitation to participation were evaluated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. Results: There were significant differences in restriction to participation between the low vision and sighted groups (p <.001) and between the blind and sighted groups (p <.001). In addition, findings indicated that there was a relationship between environment and restriction to participation for low vision, blind and sighted individuals (r = -.488, p <.001; r = -.352, p =.012; r = -.342, p =.015, respectively). Discussion: The results showed that there was a relationship between participation and environmental context in visually impaired individuals. Results demonstrated a difference in participation and environmental factors in individuals with sighted, low vision, and total vision loss, and an association between participation and environmental context in individuals with visual impairment. Implications for practitioners: Participation is a rehabilitation goal that can be improved. It is important that rehabilitation programs, prepared for visually impaired individuals, include the environment in a holistic manner as well as addressing individual-centered social roles and behaviors.