Mental Health and Spouse Support Among Older Couples Living With Sensory Loss

Lehane, Christine M.; Hofsoe, Sofia Maria; Wittich, Walter; Dammeyer, Jesper

doi:10.1177/0898264317713135

Cited by 25 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(54 reference statements)

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“…It is noteworthy that these similar results come from two studies that used different measures of depression. Our finding on depression contradicts several other studies that found: no differences between DSL and single sensory impairment [35,36], worse results for DSL when compared to both VL and HL [38][39][40][41], and worse results for DSL only when compared to HL [37,42]. There are several differences between these prior studies and ours which may account for the mixed findings including diverse measures of sensory impairment and depression, and sample's age range.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…These findings suggest that older adults with DSL would have worst levels of depression than those with single sensory impairment. However, results on this topic are mixed and cross-sectional studies report diverse patterns: no differences in number of depressive symptoms [ 35 ] or major depression [ 36 ] when comparing older adults with DSL versus single sensory impairment; DSL is associated with a higher likelihood of symptoms of depression compared to HL (but not VL) [ 37 ]; DSL is associated with a greater chance or rate of depression compared to HL and VL [ 38 – 40 ]. Findings from longitudinal research are also inconclusive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Older adults with dual sensory loss in rehabilitation show high functioning and may fare better than those with single sensory loss

2020

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The population of older adults that have Dual Sensory Loss (DSL) is increasing, yet most research to date has focused on single sensory impairment and is inconclusive as to whether DSL is associated with worse impact on health and well-being over single sensory loss. The primary aim of this study was to characterize the health and functioning of community-dwelling older adults with DSL who were receiving sensory rehabilitation, using an understudied assessment: the interRAI Community Health Assessment (CHA). The secondary aim was to investigate whether older adults with DSL had worse health-related outcomes than their peers with only vision loss (VL) or only hearing loss (HL). We report and compare the interRAI CHA results in a sample of 200 older adults (61+ years of age) who had DSL, VL or HL. Overall, all sensory impairment groups showed high functioning in the areas of cognition, communication, activities of daily living, depression, and psycho-social well-being. DSL was not always associated with worse outcomes compared to a single sensory loss. Rather, the results varied depending on the tasks assessed, as well as which groups were compared. Our findings highlight that despite the negative impact of sensory losses, community-dwelling older adults receiving sensory rehabilitation services tend to have overall good health and a high level of independence. These results also show that DSL is not always associated with worse outcomes compared to a single sensory loss. Further research is needed to better characterize older adults with DSL who have more severe sensory and cognitive difficulties than those in our sample, and among those who are not receiving rehabilitation services. Background Researchers have traditionally investigated vision loss (VL) and hearing loss (HL) separately, but evidence suggests that these sensory impairments may be associated. In older adults (65+),

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Older adults with dual sensory loss in rehabilitation show high functioning and may fare better than those with single sensory loss

2020

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“…Previous studies have found that couples living with sensory loss are at risk for relational and psychological distress (Lehane, Hofsöe, Wittich, & Dammeyer, ; Strawbridge, Wallhagen, & Shema, ; Wallhagen, Strawbridge, Shema, & Kaplan, ). Although acceptance of the sensory loss has been identified as protective against distress among AWSLs, the value of acceptance within intimate relationships or for the well‐being of significant others was unknown.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Couples coping with sensory loss: A dyadic study of the roles of self‐ and perceived partner acceptance

Lehane

Nielsen

Wittich

et al. 2018

British J Health Psychol

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Interventions targeting acceptance that incorporate a family systems perspective may be beneficial in alleviating psychological and relational distress among couples coping with sensory loss. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? The experience of hearing and/or vision loss has been linked to heightened distress both psychologically and within intimate relationships. Prior research has demonstrated a link between an individual's ability to accept their sensory loss and healthier well-being. What does this study add? This is the first dyadic study of sensory loss acceptance and its link to relationship satisfaction and distress. Acceptance operates interpersonally protecting against distress for those with sensory loss and their spouses. Perceiving that one's spouse accepts the sensory loss is important for both partner's relationship satisfaction.

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“…Since the review on DSL and mental health was published by Heine and Browning (19), some new studies have appeared. For example, based on cross-sectional data of 8,500 adults aged 50 years and older from Wave 1 of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (TILDA), collected between 2009 and 2011, Lehane et al (23) found that the loss of one's own or one's spouse's hearing and/or vision is a stressful experience. Furthermore, individuals with DSL reported greater levels of both anxiety and depression, whilst their spouses reported greater levels of depression only when compared to couples without sensory loss.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dual Sensory Loss, Mental Health, and Wellbeing of Older Adults Living in China

Heine

Gong

Browning

2019

Front. Public Health

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Introduction: Deterioration in vision and hearing commonly occurs as adults age. Existing literature shows that Dual Sensory Loss (DSL) is a prevalent condition amongst older adults. In China, it has been estimated that 57.2% of the population experience DSL. Based on a small number of research papers, it has been identified that DSL influences mental health and wellbeing. The aims of this study were to explore the relationship between DSL and mental health and wellbeing in a sample of older adults residing in China; and investigate whether the comorbidities of functional dependency [Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)] and chronic diseases influence the impacts of DSL on mental health and wellbeing. Method: The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study Wave 2, 2013 data collection of a sample of people aged 60 years and over ( n = 8,268) was used in this study. The sensory loss variables selected for analysis included a combined variable of self-reported vision and hearing loss (DSL). Mental health was measured by depression, and general wellbeing was measured by life satisfaction. In addition, chronic diseases, and limitations in IADL and ADL were used to test how their comorbidities with DSL influence mental health and wellbeing. Results were analyzed descriptively and using regression and modeling techniques. Results and Discussion: DSL was significantly and positively associated with advanced age, having difficulty in any ADL or IADL and experiencing depression and less life satisfaction. The observed negative associations between DSL and mental health or wellbeing, are indirect and could be partially explained by its comorbidity with chronic diseases and relationship to functional limitations. It is recommended that health services in China screen for DSL in older people and develop integrated services to assist with appropriate management and rehabilitation of older people with DSL focusing on both functional and mental health issues.

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Mental Health and Spouse Support Among Older Couples Living With Sensory Loss

Abstract: The findings highlight the need to support the mental health of couples living with sensory loss and indicate the importance of considering the intimate relationship in future studies.

Cited by 25 publications

References 38 publications

Older adults with dual sensory loss in rehabilitation show high functioning and may fare better than those with single sensory loss

Older adults with dual sensory loss in rehabilitation show high functioning and may fare better than those with single sensory loss

Couples coping with sensory loss: A dyadic study of the roles of self‐ and perceived partner acceptance

Dual Sensory Loss, Mental Health, and Wellbeing of Older Adults Living in China

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