Personal and social resources and adaptation to chronic vision impairment over time

Authors:
REINHARDT Joann P., BOERNER Kathrin, HOROWITZ Amy
Journal article citation:
Aging and Mental Health, 13(3), May 2009, pp.367-375.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis

This study aimed to examine the effect of personal (coping strategies and locus of control) and social resources (family and friendship support) on adjustment to chronic vision impairment in older adults at baseline (rehabilitation service application), 6 months, and 18 months later. Three hundred and thirteen community dwelling, English speaking older adult applicants to a vision rehabilitation agency in the northeast of America were interviewed in their homes following informed consent. A larger portion of variability was accounted for in positive compared to negative outcomes. Greater use of acceptance coping, less use of wishfulness coping, lower endorsement of chance locus of control, and higher family support were associated with better baseline adaptation, yet these predictors had little effect on short- or long-term change in adaptation. Higher friendship support predicted increased adaptation to vision loss at both follow-up points. Friendship support was also associated with decreased depression at Time 3, and lower use of wishfulness was related to decreased depression at Time 2. Results showed differential effects for positive versus negative outcome variables, short- versus long-term adaptation, personal and social resources, and within social resources, for family versus friendship support.

Subject terms:
older people, social networks, visual impairment, coping behaviour;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
United States
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1364-6915
ISSN print:
1360-7863

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