Abstract
Research has shown that visual impairment may impact daily functioning, health, and well-being negatively for adults of all ages. Ex-service personnel (‘veterans’) too may be at risk of poor health and well-being outcomes associated with post-military life, and this may be exacerbated by the presence of visual impairment. Despite this, research considering the experience of blind veterans has been limited and has not yet assessed well-being for these individuals across a broad spectrum of life domains. Rather, it has highlighted poor mental health and psychological well-being in working-age visually impaired veterans. However, the experiences of older visually impaired veterans (who make up the majority of visually impaired veterans in the United Kingdom) have been poorly represented in the literature. This pilot study aimed to provide a preliminary assessment of holistic well-being in an adult sample of 97 UK blind veterans, predominantly composed of older age veterans (majority over 80 years). Cross-sectional well-being data were collected using a validated measure of well-being (the Well-Being Inventory [WBI]). Results suggest that members of Blind Veterans UK are functioning well and are satisfied across four life domains (vocation, finances, health, and social relationships). Lower health satisfaction was identified, particularly in blind veterans with comorbid mental health conditions. Results are discussed in relation to the older age of the sample, the limitations of face-to-face survey administration, and the applicability of the WBI finance domain in this age cohort. Recommendations are made for future research in this population.
Highlights
In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that around 2 million people are currently living with sight loss or blindness, a figure that is estimated to rise to around 4 million by 2050 as a result of an aging population (Pezzullo et al, 2018)
Results from this pilot study indicate that Blind Veterans UK (BVUK) members report a good level of functioning and satisfaction across the life domains explored by the Well-Being Inventory (WBI)
visual impairment (VI) may typically be associated with negative psychological impacts and a restriction on daily living and social activities (Han et al, 2019; Kempen et al, 2012; van der Aa et al, 2015; Zheng et al, 2017), but results suggest that BVUK members involved in this study may maintain a high level of well-being in these domains
Summary
In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that around 2 million people are currently living with sight loss or blindness, a figure that is estimated to rise to around 4 million by 2050 as a result of an aging population (Pezzullo et al, 2018). Research has shown that VI may impact various aspects of daily life and psychological and psychosocial functioning (Garcia et al, 2017; Pinquart & Pfeiffer, 2011). For those who experience age-related VI, there is evidence of poorer quality of life, functional impairment in daily life, and high rates of depression and anxiety, compared to those who do not have sight loss (Han et al, 2019; Kempen et al, 2012; van der Aa et al, 2015; Zheng et al, 2017). Difficulties transferring skills to civilian employment and adapting one’s identity from the military to civilian context may further contribute to the challenges experienced by individuals following military service (Gordon et al, 2020)
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