There is growing evidence of the need for services to address the emotional support needs of people with visual impairments. This paper presents findings from a mixed methods evaluation of an emotional support and counselling (ESaC) service delivered within an integrated low vision service, focusing primarily on the qualitative findings. Data collected using a standardised measure of psychological well-being (the CORE-OM) show an improvement in the psychological well-being of clients of the service between baseline and follow-up assessment. Qualitative findings from interviews with service users and service providers help to illustrate and explain the experiences underlying the quantitative findings. The ESaC services are shown to be helpful to service users in two particular ways: helping them to normalise their experiences by talking to an impartial listener; and helping them to accept and adapt to the physical, emotional and social changes in their lives resulting from their visual impairment.

Aims: This paper reports on mainly quantitative findings from a mixed methods evaluation of a new model of emotional support and counselling for people with moderate visual impairment. Method: The CORE Outcome Measure was completed with service users at baseline and post-intervention to assess the impact of the new service on psychological wellbeing and social functioning. Their perceived needs and expectations of the service were also explored. Results: Of the 35 individuals providing data at each assessment time, mean item scores on the CORE fell significantly (p B.001), taking the sample from within a clinical population before therapy, to a mean score below this following therapy. A more positive outlook accompanied this improvement in functioning. Discussion: Findings from the study augment the growing evidence that emotional support and counselling services can play an important role alongside and within related vision services. Implications for practice: The study indicates that therapeutic input for the visually impaired client group may need to target both wellbeing (feelings about oneself and the future) and problems (depression, anxiety, physical health, and trauma). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a dual model of emotional support and counselling offers considerable benefit for people with visual impairment.

Objectives: The purpose was to provide a systematic review of the literature related to the personality and well-being of social, domestic, pleasure and commuting (SDP&C) car drivers.

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Background: Human factors are widely acknowledged as major contributors in road traffic collision (RTC) involvement. The aim of the present study, using secondary data analysis was to analyse associations between job characteristics, mental health, personality, fatigue and driving behaviour and their potential connection to RTCs, as well as their potential links with some of the risk factors as outcome variables (driving behaviour, driver fatigue and risk-taking). Methodology: This study used a cross-sectional approach, with 2856 clients of an insurance company completing an online survey in which they were asked about their driving and a range of other factors, such as personality, job characteristics and mental health. Results: The results revealed that whereas the extant literature points to personality traits as directly causal of RTCs, they actually impact driving behaviour and risk-taking behaviour. In addition, an association was found between higher salary and risk-taking (the latter predictive of RTC involvement). Using the Demands, Resources and Individual Effects model (DRIVE) it was possible to examine associations between particular job characteristics and driving behaviour, driver fatigue, and risk-taking. Associations between poor levels of driving behaviour and high levels of decision making, perceived job stress, long working hours and issues of work-life balance were uncovered. Moreover, a combined effects approach revealed a 16.73-fold increase in driver fatigue for younger, single drivers who often drive in heavy traffic, on the motorway and in adverse weather, with stressful, noisy, pressurised jobs, lower in levels of respect (typical of the blue-collar worker). Conclusion: Based on the current findings, further longitudinal research is recommended to assess causality.