Group identity in blindness groups predicts life satisfaction and lower anxiety and depression.

Abstract

Group disability identity (GDI) refers to feelings of connection to the disability community. Researchers have proposed that disability identity protects against disability-related stressors. However, few empirical studies have examined this hypothesis, and psychological research is needed that examines the role of GDI in mental health and related outcomes. This cross-sectional study examined the association between 2 GDI attitudes (disability integration and disability isolation) and 3 mental health-related indicators (life satisfaction, anxiety, and depression) in a sample of 187 U.S. adult members of visual impairment or blindness (VI) community groups. Findings from hierarchical linear regression indicated that positive GDI attitudes predicted higher life satisfaction (ß = .25 p < .001 for integration; ß = -.45, p < .001 for isolation) and that higher disability isolation predicted higher anxiety (ß = .26, p < .001) and depression (ß = .40, p < .001), after controlling for demographic and impairment-related factors. Younger age was also a significant predictor of anxiety and depression in both GDI models, and female gender (ß = -.21, p < .001) was a significant predictor of anxiety in the disability isolation model. The present study found that positive GDI attitudes predicted positive mental health-related indicators in a sample of U.S. adult members of VI community groups, controlling for other factors. Results of the present study further indicated that male participants reported lower anxiety and depression. Given present findings, rehabilitation practitioners may consider supporting clients' mental health and related outcomes by facilitating their exploration of disability identity attitudes (see Forber-Pratt et al., 2019), including feelings of connection to the disability community. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).