Emotions and Feelings as Predictors of Depression and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders among Children and Adolescents with Complete Blindness

Abstract

Introduction
 Although blindness is a detrimental physical condition affecting almost all aspects of the lives of children and adolescents with blindness, little is known about the negative emotions and feelings they express and how they are linked with psychological disorders. Thus, this study aimed at examining the links between negative basic emotions, feelings, depression, and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
 Methods
 Sixty children and adolescents with blindness were selected from HVP Gatagara-Rwamagana. We computed the regression analysis to identify the associations between emotions and feelings and depression and ADHD symptoms.
 Results
 Results indicated clinical levels of sadness in 29 of 60 (48.3%), low self-esteem in 27 of 60 (45%), anger in 26 of 60 (43.3%), guilt and shame in 25 of 60) 41.6%, depression in 26 of 60 (43.3%), inattention in 11 of 60 (18.3%) and hyperactivity in 3 of 60 (5%). This study revealed that self-esteem (β = -0.81, p < 0.001), anger (β = 0.76, p < 0.001), sadness (β = 0.75, p < 0.001), low happiness (β = -0.53, p < 0.001), guilt and shame (β = 0.70, p < 0.001) predicted depressive symptoms. Only sadness (β = 0.540, p = 0.04) and anger (β =- 0.556, p = 0.04) were significant predictors of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with blindness.
 Conclusion
 Interventions designed to elevate self-esteem and happiness as well as decrease anger, sadness, shame and guilt are needed for decreasing the risk of depression and ADHD.
 Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2022;5(3):340-349

Sadness and Loneliness in Adolescents with Physical, Sensory or Health Problems in Low/Middle-Income Countries

“…On the other hand, the present study shows that students with difficulties/disabilities have higher proportions of difficulties grasping small objects, life satisfaction, others have more fun, loneliness, sadness and crying, compared to students without difficulties/disabilities, in line with other studies that found that children and adolescents with developmental disorders have high levels of loneliness and depression [ 15 ]. Similarly, in adolescents with physical disabilities, a prevalence of clinical sadness of 48.33% has been identified in adolescents with sight difficulties [ 16 ], and higher levels of loneliness have been identified in these adolescents compared to their peers with normal vision [ 17 ]. Higher levels of loneliness and depression are also observed in children with developmental motor coordination problems who are at higher risk of feeling socially isolated and developing anxiety and depression [ 18 ].…”

“…In this population, loneliness correlates positively with anxiety and depression and negatively with self-esteem, basic psychological needs and hope [ 15 ]. In the case of sensory impairment, blind students aged 7–17 years had a 48.33% prevalence rate of clinical sadness [ 16 ] and higher levels of loneliness than those with normal vision [ 17 ]. Children with developmental motor coordination disorders are at a higher risk of social isolation, poor social skills and difficulty relating to peers and a higher likelihood of developing depression and anxiety compared to typically developing peers [ 18 ].…”

“…Given that two of the central symptoms of depression in adolescents are loneliness and sadness and the high association between crying and sadness [ 20 , 21 ]; that the presence of physical or psychological disability increases the risk of feeling lonely, sad and like crying [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]; that controversy exists regarding the importance of family socioeconomic status [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]; and that most studies have been conducted in developed countries, there is a need for further studies in this regard. This study aimed to assess the relationship between disability and sadness, loneliness and crying for no reason in young people from low- to middle-income countries and to test the risk of experiencing these emotions in young people with different disabilities versus the overall population.…”