Barriers and facilitators to recognize and discuss depression and anxiety experienced by adults with vision impairment or blindness: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent, but often unrecognized in adults with vision impairment (VI) or blindness. The purpose of this study was to explore visually impaired and blind adults’ views on facilitators and barriers in recognizing and discussing mental health prob...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06682-z |
| _version_ | 1818652453046845440 |
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| author | Edine P. J. van Munster Hilde P. A. van der Aa Peter Verstraten Ruth M. A. van Nispen |
| author_facet | Edine P. J. van Munster Hilde P. A. van der Aa Peter Verstraten Ruth M. A. van Nispen |
| author_sort | Edine P. J. van Munster |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent, but often unrecognized in adults with vision impairment (VI) or blindness. The purpose of this study was to explore visually impaired and blind adults’ views on facilitators and barriers in recognizing and discussing mental health problems. Methods Semi-structured interviews, based on the Integrated Model for Change, were conducted with 16 visually impaired or blind adults receiving support from three Dutch low vision service organizations. Interview data was analyzed using the framework approach. Results Participants perceived their focus on practical support with regard to their VI, lack of mental health literacy, and misattribution of symptoms of depression or anxiety as barriers for recognizing mental health problems. With regard to discussing mental health problems, they perceived difficulties in acknowledging their VI and mental health problems due to feelings of vulnerability and inequality. Participants mentioned that their social support system and healthcare providers (could) facilitate them in recognizing and discussing mental health problems. However, participants thought that healthcare providers currently often lacked the knowledge, skills and attitude to recognize and discuss this topic with their clients. Conclusion Our findings suggest that visually impaired and blind adults may experience several barriers to recognize, acknowledge and discuss mental health. Healthcare providers and social support systems seem essential for them in reducing these barriers. However, there might be a mismatch between the needs of visually impaired and blind adults and healthcare providers’ knowledge, skills and attitude. Training healthcare providers may improve detection of depression and anxiety in adults with VI or blindness, and enhance clinician-patient communication on mental health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T02:22:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ae90b71a3fd74c4aa04038b5092b6b1d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T02:22:14Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-ae90b71a3fd74c4aa04038b5092b6b1d2022-12-21T22:07:15ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632021-07-0121111010.1186/s12913-021-06682-zBarriers and facilitators to recognize and discuss depression and anxiety experienced by adults with vision impairment or blindness: a qualitative studyEdine P. J. van Munster0Hilde P. A. van der Aa1Peter Verstraten2Ruth M. A. van Nispen3Ophthalmology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research InstituteOphthalmology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research InstituteExpertise Innovation Knowledge, Robert Coppes FoundationOphthalmology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research InstituteAbstract Background Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent, but often unrecognized in adults with vision impairment (VI) or blindness. The purpose of this study was to explore visually impaired and blind adults’ views on facilitators and barriers in recognizing and discussing mental health problems. Methods Semi-structured interviews, based on the Integrated Model for Change, were conducted with 16 visually impaired or blind adults receiving support from three Dutch low vision service organizations. Interview data was analyzed using the framework approach. Results Participants perceived their focus on practical support with regard to their VI, lack of mental health literacy, and misattribution of symptoms of depression or anxiety as barriers for recognizing mental health problems. With regard to discussing mental health problems, they perceived difficulties in acknowledging their VI and mental health problems due to feelings of vulnerability and inequality. Participants mentioned that their social support system and healthcare providers (could) facilitate them in recognizing and discussing mental health problems. However, participants thought that healthcare providers currently often lacked the knowledge, skills and attitude to recognize and discuss this topic with their clients. Conclusion Our findings suggest that visually impaired and blind adults may experience several barriers to recognize, acknowledge and discuss mental health. Healthcare providers and social support systems seem essential for them in reducing these barriers. However, there might be a mismatch between the needs of visually impaired and blind adults and healthcare providers’ knowledge, skills and attitude. Training healthcare providers may improve detection of depression and anxiety in adults with VI or blindness, and enhance clinician-patient communication on mental health.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06682-zVision lossVision impairmentBlindnessDepressionAnxietyDetection |
| spellingShingle | Edine P. J. van Munster Hilde P. A. van der Aa Peter Verstraten Ruth M. A. van Nispen Barriers and facilitators to recognize and discuss depression and anxiety experienced by adults with vision impairment or blindness: a qualitative study BMC Health Services Research Vision loss Vision impairment Blindness Depression Anxiety Detection |
| title | Barriers and facilitators to recognize and discuss depression and anxiety experienced by adults with vision impairment or blindness: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Barriers and facilitators to recognize and discuss depression and anxiety experienced by adults with vision impairment or blindness: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Barriers and facilitators to recognize and discuss depression and anxiety experienced by adults with vision impairment or blindness: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers and facilitators to recognize and discuss depression and anxiety experienced by adults with vision impairment or blindness: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Barriers and facilitators to recognize and discuss depression and anxiety experienced by adults with vision impairment or blindness: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | barriers and facilitators to recognize and discuss depression and anxiety experienced by adults with vision impairment or blindness a qualitative study |
| topic | Vision loss Vision impairment Blindness Depression Anxiety Detection |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06682-z |
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