An investigation on the status of resilience amongst adults with blindness in Addis Ababa

Abstract

Background Living with blindness for anyone, whether educated or uneducated, rich or poor, with adequate support or without it is seriously limiting. The quality of life of people with blindness is significantly influenced by the level of resilience they possess. The status of resilience of adults with blindness living in Addis Ababa is not known. Objectives Against this backdrop, this study was designed to explore the level of resilience of Adults living with blindness. The influence of some demographics on resilience was also examined. Method Survey design was employed to carry out the intended objectives of this stud. Data was collected from a random sample of 220 adults with blindness living in Addis Ababa using Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Descriptive statistics, t-test and one way ANOVA followed by Scheffe post hoc comparisons were used to analyse the data. Results The results revealed that the level of resilience of adults with blindness was found below the average score with a mean score of 46.11. Participants’ gender, time of onset of blindness, marital status and education seemed to influence resilience of blind adults. Conclusion Adults having blindness currently living in Addis Ababa are less resilient than needed. Resilience of adults with blindness is differentiated by their demographic characteristics. These people need an integrated effort to enhance their resilience capacity by reducing the barriers and challenges they encounter and promoting protective resources through the different wings of disability related services.

A Phenomenological Case Study of Blind Male Masseuses Experiencing Sexual Assault: Implication for Nursing Practice

“…In extreme cases, the victims will experience paranoia which may develop chronic disabilities such as agoraphobia [20], [23]. In addition, trauma impact can be seen in low self-esteem, high levels of anxiety, depression, drugs abuse, being an alcoholic, sexual risk taking, lack of intimacy, PTSD, and suicidal behavior [5], [6], [7], [15], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22]. Other studies have mentioned long-term problems of male victims including sexual dysfunction and difficulty in relationships [20], [23].…”

“…Studies concerning sexual assault occurred in the visually impaired have found physical, psychological and social problems as some of the consequences of these events. A study from Zegeye in Addis Ababa found that blind women experiencing sexual assault have physiological consequences including lack of sleep, nightmares, headaches and poor appetite [5]. Psychological consequences of sexual harassment which arise include irritability, fear, phobias, depression, and risk of suicide [5], [6], [7].…”

“…A study from Zegeye in Addis Ababa found that blind women experiencing sexual assault have physiological consequences including lack of sleep, nightmares, headaches and poor appetite [5]. Psychological consequences of sexual harassment which arise include irritability, fear, phobias, depression, and risk of suicide [5], [6], [7]. Moreover, victims of sexual assault also experience problems in relational relationships such as the emergence of negative thoughts towards others, feelings of suspicion towards others, and difficulty in establishing relationships with others [5], [7].…”

“…Psychological consequences of sexual harassment which arise include irritability, fear, phobias, depression, and risk of suicide [5], [6], [7]. Moreover, victims of sexual assault also experience problems in relational relationships such as the emergence of negative thoughts towards others, feelings of suspicion towards others, and difficulty in establishing relationships with others [5], [7]. However, the experience of sexual assault and its impact on blind men are still not explored yet, especially to blind men who work as masseuses.…”

The Lived Experiences of Female Students with Blindness for Higher Education at Bahir Dar University

“…Being blind is seriously challenging for anyone (Genet, Kumar & Sulphey 2021;Zegeye 2020). This would be more so for blind female university students, as they are expected to handle the challenges of blindness, being female, and the demands of tertiary education in parallel.…”