BackgroundLittle is known about whether and to what extent loneliness impacts the lives of people with visual impairment (VI). Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of and factors associated with loneliness in adults with VI, and to examine its association with life satisfaction.MethodsThis cross-sectional interview study included a probability sample of 736 adults (≥18 years old) with VI who were members of the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted. The interviews took place from January to May 2017, collecting information about sociodemographics, VI characteristics, adverse life events, loneliness (Three Item Loneliness Scale), and life satisfaction (Cantril’s Ladder of Life Satisfaction). The prevalence of loneliness was compared to data obtained from the general Norwegian population (N = 14,884; mean age 46.4 years; 50.7% females).ResultsThe prevalence of moderate and severe loneliness in the VI population was 28.7% (95% CI: 25.4, 32.1) and 19.7% (95% CI: 16.9, 22.8), respectively. The rates were consistently higher across age groups compared to the general population. Loneliness was associated with younger age, blindness, having other impairments, unemployment, and a history of bullying or abuse. In addition, higher scores on loneliness were associated with lower levels of life satisfaction (fully adjusted β = − 0.48, 95% CI: − 0.55, − 0.41).ConclusionsLoneliness is common in adults with VI. Strategies capable of reducing loneliness could improve life satisfaction among people who are blind or visually impaired.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12955-019-1096-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Subjects reporting regular leisure-time PA were less likely to report symptoms of HADS-defined depression and anxiety. Personality may be an underlying factor in explaining this association.

BACKGROUND To our knowledge, no study has obtained specific estimates of depression for young and middle-aged adults with visual impairment (VI). As estimates of depression varies across age groups in the general population, it is of interest to examine whether the same applies to adults with low vision or blindness. AIM To estimate depression prevalence and its association with VI-related characteristics and life satisfaction in adults with VI. METHODS A telephone-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and May 2017 in an age-stratified sample of adults who were members of the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted. Participants were asked questions about their sociodemographic characteristics, VI characteristics, and life satisfaction. Depression was measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire. The diagnostic scoring algorithm was used to calculate the point prevalence of depression ( i.e ., major depression and other depressive disorders) across categories of gender and age (years: 18-35, 36-50, 51-65, ≥ 66). The associations were estimated using regression models. RESULTS Overall, 736 adults participated in the study (response rate: 61%). The prevalence estimates of depression varied across different age groups, ranging from 11.1%-22.8% in women and 9.4%-16.5% in men, with the highest rates for the two youngest age groups. Results from the multivariable models including sociodemographic and VI-related variables showed that losing vision late in life [Prevalence ratio (PR), 1.76, 95%CI: 1.11, 2.79] and having other impairments (PR: 1.88, 95%CI: 1.32, 2.67) were associated with higher rates of depression, whereas older age was associated with lower rates (PR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.74, 0.93). Additionally, participants who were depressed had lower life satisfaction than those who were not depressed (adjusted β: -2.36, 95%CI: -2.75, -1.98). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that depression in adults with VI, and especially among young and middle-aged adults, warrants greater attention by user organisations, clinicians, and healthcare authorities.

AIMTo examine associated factors of bullying and to determine associations between bullying and psychosocial outcomes among individuals with visual impairments (VI).METHODSWe conducted an age-stratified cross-sectional survey of adults with VI who were recruited from the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted. Data were collected through structural telephone interviews in the period between February and May, 2017. Linear regression models were used to examine factors related to bullying and associations of bullying with self-efficacy and life satisfaction.RESULTSA total of 736 individuals were interviewed. The lifetime and 6-mo prevalence of bullying was 41.7% and 8.2%, respectively. The majority of bullied participants reported VI-specific bullying (65.1%). Victimization of bullying was associated with young age, early onset-age of VI, and having other impairments. Participants who reported bullying had lower levels of self-efficacy [Adjusted relative risk (ARR): 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.19-0.85] and life satisfaction (ARR: 0.68, 95%CI: 0.51-0.91).CONCLUSIONBullying is highly prevalent among individuals with VI. Our findings suggest that interventions to reduce bullying may be beneficial for improving the well-being and life quality of people with VI.

Traumatic experiences appear to have a great impact on the mental health in people with visual impairment (VI) and these results highlight their need for mental health care. Future studies with higher methodological rigor are recommended. Implications for rehabilitation Visual impairment entails a greater susceptibility to some types of potentially traumatic events, especially threats in everyday life. This calls for a greater emphasis on safe community environments and universal design in public spaces. In rehabilitation after serious accidents or potentially traumatic events, professionals working with people with vision impairment should be aware of the different manifestations of post-traumatic stress responses and that some stress responses may cause additional disability. The high prevalence of traumatic events and their impact on mental health in individuals with visual impairments highlights a need of mental health care.