Self –Esteem and Adjustment: Psychosocial Aspects of Blindness and Visual Impairment Based on Self-Esteem and Adjusting to Blindness By Dean and Naomi Tuttle

Blindness Blindness physiological and psychosocial Physical – –Etiology –Diagnosis –Prescription –Prognosis

Blindness - continued Psychosocial – 3 parts Individual Needs and Desires Physical and Social Environment Common Conceptions of Blindness There is no unique psychology of blindness and no special personality attributed to individuals who are blind

Sociological Implications “ The quality and characteristics of the social interaction between a blind and a sighted person are determined by the capacities and attitudes of each”

Sociological GENERALITIES Tendencies – not absolutes- persons with the condition of blindness may be Immature and Egocentric- for longer periods Isolated and Withdrawn Passive and Dependent Inadequate Social Role Models Deal with predominately negative attitudes toward blindness

Demands of Life Keys to meeting life’s demands Self- Esteem Competence -Can be measured by –Comparing oneself with others – social comparison-can be positive or negative Outcome based – Positive Process bases - Negative –Comparing with your own past performance –Using separate standard solely based on the basis of visual impairment

Influences on Self-Esteem Needs are universal Food and Shelter Love and Belonging Responsibility and Productivity Self Acceptance and Self-Esteem Each impact an individual’s self esteem and self concept

Self Esteem Is defined as.. A person’s sense of value and self worth Sense of competency and adequacy Sense of self satisfaction

Self Esteem Interrelationships Attitudes of others Behavior (of individual w/ VI)(of others) Self Concepts

More Interrelationships Attitudes of others Behavior (Of persons with VI) (of others) Self concept

Blindness and Challenges to Self Esteem Self esteem is effected by the extent there is lack or loss of… Independence in personal management Travel Reading and writing Vocational opportunities Recreation The impacts of these issues can be temporary or long lasting

Blindness and Challenges to Self Esteem Persons with Adventitious Visual Impairment may… Have feelings of helplessness & dependence UNTIL…. Be impacted by minimal expectations and attitudes

Blindness and Challenges to Self Esteem Persons with Congenital Visual Impairment may… Have had to deal with devastating and derogatory reactions in social environment Have had negative childhood experiences with long lasting effects These issues can and do get resolved

Adjustment Involves… Cognition – awareness and knowledge of coping; knowledge and thought Action – behaviors and skills of coping; planning and remediation Affect – feelings and attitudes of coping; thoughts and feelings

The Adjusting Process Trauma – physical or social Shock and Denial Mourning and Withdrawal Succumbing and Depression Reassessment and Reaffirmation Coping and Mobilization Self-Acceptance and Self-Esteem

Trauma This it event that causes the need for adjustment For the individual with congenital blindness it may be the awareness of being different or awareness of being blind For the individual with adventitious blindness it may be the event For both it may be from having to deal with social stigmas and attitudes

Shock and Denial Feelings of –Unreality –Detachment –Disbelief Avoidance –Denying the existence of the trauma

Mourning and Withdrawal Grieving over the global loss of vision Mourning over being different Self-pity –Withdrawing from family and friends –A very lonely time

Succumbing and Depression Focusing on and analyzing, one by one, each perceived loss –Real or imagined losses –Temporary or not –This is the “I can’t” or “I will never be able to” phase Feelings of doubt are common but unchecked this can lead to severe depression

Reassessment and Reaffirmation Re-evaluating the meaning of life and the purpose for living May involve reassessment and or revision of –Values –Goals Result is a reaffirmation of one’s self and one’s life

Coping and Mobilization Desire drives actions Development of strategies Development of coping skills Coping with realities of the condition of blindness

Self-Acceptance and Self-Esteem Esteem as a person with dignity and worth Personal view as an individual with may characteristics – one of which is blindness Being comfortable with themselves