Work

Heterogeneity in social participation among young people with vision impairment

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Young people may adapt to vision impairment (VI) in a variety of ways. To explore heterogeneity in social participation, data were mined for distinct patterns. Existing data from 258 young people with VI, aged between 26 and 44 years ( M = 35.3 years; SD = 5.07), were clustered. Social participation was measured by four closed-ended questions and the Social Network Map. Loneliness was measured by the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness scale. K-medoids clustering with the Partitioning Around Medoids (PAM) algorithm was used to cluster social participation variables and age.Eight clusters were identified, with participants in the two largest clusters, clusters 1 ( n = 84) and 2 ( n = 50), scoring high on almost all social participation outcomes. Participants in cluster 8 ( n = 14) had the lowest social participation scores. However, also over half of the participants in clusters 4, 5, 6, and 7 experienced feelings of loneliness. Findings demonstrate considerable heterogeneity in social participation among young people with VI, which however does not link to loneliness. These variations in social participation underline the need for a differentiated approach to address needs of young people with VI.

Source: British Journal of Visual Impairment

DOI: 10.1177/02646196231152340

Authors: Eline CM Heppe, Chris van Klaveren, Ilja Cornelisz, Carlo Schuengel, Sabina Kef

Institutions: Amsterdam Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Language: English

Topic: Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies

Subfield: Ophthalmology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000