"Cannot see? Use your strengths!" A randomized controlled trial of strengths intervention for improving self-esteem among visually impaired individuals.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between strengths use and self-esteem among visually impaired individuals in Study 1 and reveal the causal effect of a strengths intervention in Study 2.

DESIGN

A prospective cross-sectional design in Study 1 and a randomized controlled, open-label, parallel-group comparative design in Study 2.

SETTING

Several welfare institutions for visually impaired individuals in the Kanto area of Japan.

SUBJECTS

In Study 1, 59 participants with visual impairments (mean age = 49.34 ± 4.89 years, range = 22-82 years) were recruited. In Study 2, participants (mean age = 41.36 ± 12.09 years, range = 22-61 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention ( = 11) or wait-list control group ( = 11).

INTERVENTION

A strengths intervention was performed in Study 2.

MAIN MEASURES

In Study 1, we examined the association between Strengths Use Scale and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale scores. In Study 2, the primary outcome was the difference in change in Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale scores from baseline to one-month follow-up between the groups.

RESULTS

In Study 1, simple and multiple regression analyses revealed that the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score was significantly associated with the Strengths Use Scale score (β = 0.60, < 0.001; β = 0.55, < 0.001, respectively). In Study 2, we found a significant between-groups difference in the improvement in Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale scores from baseline to one-month follow-up ((1, 19) = 18.61, < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Utilizing psychological strengths might improve self-esteem among visually impaired individuals.