High Institute of Applied Psychology (ISPA), Psychology and Health Research Unit, Lisbon, Portugal.
Clin Rehabil. 2011 Dec;25(12):1140-51. doi: 10.1177/0269215511410729. Epub 2011 Aug 10.
To explore the experience of vision loss, focusing on working age patients' self-awareness of impairment and self-identification with the impairment.
A cross-sectional and qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews.
A specialized rehabilitation centre and a low vision unit at a public hospital.
A convenience sample of 38 patients between the ages of 20 and 65, with sight loss caused by a serious ophthalmological condition acquired after the age of 18, and doing their rehabilitation.
A semi-structured interview, addressing three core areas: the emotional impact of vision loss; adjustment; and social support. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed by two independent researchers.
Seven themes emerged from interviews. Changes in patients' identity, achievement and future life projection arose as being the main transformations caused by vision loss. Self-awareness of impairment appeared associated with the patients' first contact with their loss, while self-identification with the impairment arose connected with the later embodiment process of the vision loss.
Patients' self-awareness and self-perceptions of impairment appear to be two important milestones in the adjustment process to vision loss. Their assessment and monitoring over the rehabilitation period might help to promote impairment acceptance and rehabilitation outcomes.
探索视力丧失的体验，重点关注处于工作年龄段的患者对自身损伤的自我意识和对损伤的自我认同。
横断面和定性研究，采用半结构化访谈。
一家专门的康复中心和一家公立医院的低视力科。
38 名年龄在 20 至 65 岁之间的患者，因 18 岁以后获得的严重眼科疾病而导致视力丧失，并正在接受康复治疗。
半结构化访谈，涉及三个核心领域：视力丧失的情绪影响、调整和社会支持。访谈由两名独立研究人员进行转录、编码和分析。
访谈中出现了 7 个主题。身份、成就和未来生活规划的变化被认为是视力丧失带来的主要转变。对损伤的自我意识似乎与患者第一次接触到自己的损失有关，而对损伤的自我认同则与后来损伤的体现过程有关。
患者对自身损伤的自我意识和自我认知似乎是对视力丧失进行调整过程中的两个重要里程碑。在康复期间对其进行评估和监测，可能有助于促进对损伤的接受和康复效果。
