Does Visual Impairment Lead to Lower or Higher Levels of Success in Solving Developmental Tasks? – A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

The present three-wave longitudinal study analyzed the attainment of developmental tasks in 182 German adolescents with visual impairment and 554 sighted peers. At the start of the study, adolescents with visual impairment reported lower levels of success than their sighted peers with regard to peer-group membership, forming close friendships and romantic relationships but more success regarding autonomy from parents and planning for a future career. The average attainment of the developmental tasks increased over time. Adolescents with visual impairment showed greater progress in the field of romantic relationships than their sighted peers, but the other between-group differences remained stable. Adolescents who are blind showed lower progress in identity development than peers with low vision, and those with congenital impairment reported lower initial states of autonomy and identity development than young people with acquired impairments. Gender differences were also identified. Measures aimed at promoting successful development of adolescents with visual impairment are suggested.