Article

PURPOSE: To review perceived emotional well-being in older people with visual
impairment and perceived factors that inhibit/facilitate psychosocial adjustment
to vision loss. METHOD:
The databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL
were searched for studies published from January 1980 to December 2010, which
recruited older people with irreversible vision loss, and used qualitative
methods for both data collection and analysis. Results sections of the papers
were synthesised using a thematic-style analysis to identify the emergent and
dominant themes. RESULTS: Seventeen qualitative papers were included in the
review, and five main themes emerged from the synthesis: 1) the trauma of an
ophthalmic diagnosis, 2) impact of vision loss on daily life, 3) negative impact
of visual impairment on psychosocial well-being, 4) factors that inhibit social
well-being, and 5) factors that facilitate psychological well-being. We found the
response shift model useful for explaining our synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Acquired
visual impairment can have a significant impact on older people's well-being and
make psychosocial adjustment to the condition a major challenge. Acceptance of
the condition and a positive attitude facilitate successful psychosocial
adjustment to vision loss as well as social support from family, friends and
peers who have successfully adjusted to the condition.

Langue : ANGLAIS