Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine personal characteristics, disease-related impairment
variables, activity limitations, and environmental factors as correlates of
social participation in older adults with vision loss guided by the World Health
Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Model. DESIGN: Baseline data of a larger longitudinal study. SETTING: Community-based vision rehabilitation agency. SUBJECTS: A total of 364 older
adults with significant vision impairment due to age-related macular degeneration. MAIN MEASURES: In-person interviews assessing social participation
(i.e. frequency of social support contacts, social/leisure challenges faced due
to vision loss, and of social support provided to others) and hypothesized
correlates (e.g. visual acuity test, Functional Vision Screening Questionnaire,
ratings of attachment to house and neighborhood, environmental modifications in
home). RESULTS: Regression analyses showed that indicators of physical, social,
and mental functioning (e.g. better visual function, fewer difficulties with
instrumental activities of daily living, fewer depressive symptoms) were
positively related to social participation indicators (greater social contacts,
less challenges in social/leisure domains, and providing more support to others).
Environmental factors also emerged as independent correlates of social
participation indicators when functional variables were controlled. That is,
participants reporting higher attachment to their neighborhood and better income
adequacy reported having more social contacts; and those implementing more
environmental strategies were more likely to report greater challenges in social
and leisure domains. Better income adequacy and living with more people were
related to providing more social support to others.
CONCLUSION: Environmental
variables may play a role in the social participation of older adults with age-related macular degeneration.

Langue : ANGLAIS