Relationships with parents and friends, self‐esteem and depression among adolescents with visual impairments

Abstract

Social relationships with parents and friends, depression, and the mediating role of self-esteem between relationships and depression were studied among 115 adolescents with visual impairments attending regular Finnish schools. The control group consisted of normally sighted classmates of visually impaired adolescents (N=607). The data were collected using a self-report questionnaire.The results showed no significant difference in the prevalence of depression between visually impaired adolescents and the control group. However, there was a trend toward an excessive risk of depression among girls with visual impairments compared to girls without visual impairments. In addition to being male, higher scores of relationships with friends was an important protective factor against depression among adolescents with visual impairments. The impact of relationships with friends, on depressive symptoms was mediated through self-esteem. Unlike in controls, relationships with parents was not an explanatory factor of depression in adolescents with visual impairments. The mechanisms and processes explaining the various effects of relationships with parents and friends on self-esteem and depression need further investigation through longitudinal studies.

Mental Health Status and Related Factors Among Visually Impaired Athletes

“…First, mental health status in female visually impaired athletes was worse than that of men in the current study. Consistent with our findings, several past reports showed the gender difference of the mental health status in visually impaired students; girls had more serious depressive and anxiety symptoms than boys [36-39]. Our findings also agree with the majority of the literature on non-visually impaired athletes, which has found that female athletes show higher scores of anxiety and depression than male athletes [40-42].…”

“…This finding is not consistent with previous studies showing better social support, especially support from friends, is vital to help children with visual impairments in reducing the number and severity of their emotional problems [37, 46, 47], as well as their depression and anxiety symptoms [38, 48]. Of note, young people with visual impairments have fewer chances to make friends, face problems of social isolation and, consequently, they develop emotional and communication problems [36]. Different types of mental health problems may depend on lifestyle, support from family and friends, level of integrations, and social networks [49].…”

“…Contradictory to our findings, the majority of the studies suggested that older people, children, and young adults who have visual impairments developed more emotional problems than did their sighted peers [3-17]. Young people who are visually impaired may have fewer opportunities and chances to make friends and may face issues of social isolation, discrimination, and, consequently, they may develop emotional and communication problems in daily life [36], but when they are athletes, they may have more social exposure and interaction affecting their mental health positively. Accordingly, it seems that in visually impaired people who are engaged in competitive sports, their mental health was sound in the current investigation.…”

Hopelessness and social comparison in Turkish adolescent with visual impairment

“…The period of adolescence can cause a great deal of anxiety for the visually impaired person, who faces not only the usual developmental challenges but also the added strain of his or her physical handicap (Huurre et al 2001). Many studies have shown the increased vulnerability and difficulties occurring during the growth and development of children and adolescents with VI (Kef & Dekovic 2004, Robinson & Lieberman 2004, Shapiro et al 2008.…”

“…The period of adolescence can cause a great deal of anxiety for the visually impaired person, who faces not only the usual developmental challenges but also the added strain of his or her physical handicap (Huurre et al . 2001).…”