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Loneliness and Social Support among the Middle-Aged and Elderly People with Visual Impairment

Author

Listed:
  • Hui-Ying Chu

    (Department of Living Services Industry, Tainan University of Technology, Tainan City 710, Taiwan)

  • Hui-Shan Chan

    (Department of Applied Cosmetology, National Tainan Junior College of Nursing, Tainan City 700, Taiwan
    Department of Special Education, National Tainan University, Tainan City 710, Taiwan)

Abstract

Loneliness is associated with depression, sleep disturbance, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and it is a global public health problem. Since physical and mental health have a great impact on loneliness, middle-aged and elderly people who are blind or visually impaired may be more affected by loneliness. Previous research has confirmed that effective social support can enhance physical and mental health and alleviate the negative effects of life stress. Therefore, in this study, we applied a cross-sectional design where data were collected using questionnaires completed in person, by phone, or online for a total of 456 middle-aged and elderly people with visual impairment. We found that the enrolled participants who were unemployed, lacked a stable source of income, lived alone, or were unable to move independently were prone to experiencing high levels of loneliness and low social support, which highlights the necessity of interventions such as counseling to alleviate the sense of loneliness in such groups. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social support measures to reduce the sense of loneliness should be highly encouraged to ensure that middle-aged and elderly people with visual impairment can continue to live independently, and social support seems to be an important factor.

Suggested Citation

  • Hui-Ying Chu & Hui-Shan Chan, 2022. "Loneliness and Social Support among the Middle-Aged and Elderly People with Visual Impairment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14600-:d:965414
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Neal Krause, 2004. "Common Facets of Religion, Unique Facets of Religion, and Life Satisfaction Among Older African Americans," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 59(2), pages 109-117.
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