Individual differences in emotional intelligence skills of people with visual impairment and loneliness amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, public health interventions such as social distancing and stay-at-home orders have widely been implemented, which is anticipated to contribute to reducing the spread of COVID-19. On the contrary, there is a concern that the public health interventions may increase the level of loneliness. Loneliness and social isolation are public health risks, closely associated with serious medical conditions. As COVID-19 is new to us today, little is known about emotional well-being among people with visual impairment during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address the knowledge gap, this study conducted phone interviews with a convenience sample of 31 people with visual impairment. The interview incorporated the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale (version 3) and the trait meta-mood scale (TMMS) to measure loneliness and emotional intelligence skills, respectively. This study found that people with visual impairment were vulnerable to the feeling of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic and showed individual differences in emotional intelligence skills by different degrees of loneliness. Researchers and health professionals should consider offering adequate coping strategies to those with visual impairment amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Covid-19 Pandemic Coping Strategies in a Complex Landscape of Crisis Communication: A Participatory Study with Disability Organisations in Sweden

“…In contrast, and as also shown in other studies (Costabile et al 2020;Rosenblum 2020;Halpern et al 2021;Kim & Sutharson 2021), many members experienced loneliness and isolation during the pandemic. As a consequence of the recommendations to observe social distancing, members have actively limited their number of contacts, including assistance and other kinds of support, such as transportation to activities outside home.…”

“…These strategies can increase the mental well-being of people with various disabilities, which could also be observed in international studies on the importance of coping (Park et al 2020;Umucu & Lee 2020). Several studies have also examined the situation during the Covid-19 pandemic for people with visual impairments and have found an increased risk of loneliness, social isolation and vulnerability (Gombas & Csakvari 2021;Halpern et al 2021;Jondani 2021;Kim & Sutharson 2021;Lundälv et al 2021a;Rosenblum 2020).…”

Experiences of People with Visual Impairment Interacting with Others after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan;

“…Therefore, flexible choices regarding the use of ICTs need to be made based on the strengths and weaknesses of the participants. Maintaining connections with known people improves the mental health of people with visual impairments who are prone to loneliness 21) . Future strategies should include the establishment of support systems that enable people with visual impairments to communicate with each other even in vulnerable situations where connections are severed, such as after the COVID-19 pandemic.…”