Adaptations to support occupational engagement with age-related vision loss: A metasynthesis study

Background. Age-related vision loss (ARVL) is a progressive process that adversely affects older adults’ occupational engagement. As such, older adults often employ a variety of psychological adaptation strategies. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify those psychological adaptation str...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of occupational therapy (1939) 2019-12, Vol.86 (5), p.377-387
Main Authors: McGrath, Colleen E., Corrado, Ann Marie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging - psychology
Blindness - psychology
Blindness - rehabilitation
Female
Hope
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Therapy - organization & administration
Qualitative Research
Self Efficacy
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Summary:Background. Age-related vision loss (ARVL) is a progressive process that adversely affects older adults’ occupational engagement. As such, older adults often employ a variety of psychological adaptation strategies. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify those psychological adaptation strategies employed by older adults aging with ARVL. Method. This metasynthesis searched and identified 21 qualitative articles that described a link between psychological adaptation strategies and occupational engagement. Findings. The psychological strategies identified were categorized into five themes. The strategies of persisting with hope, positivity, and acceptance and portraying a self-image consistent with independence, competence, and self-reliance were well established in the literature, while other themes were more emerging, such as using humour, relying on religious/spiritual beliefs, and comparing the self to others. Implications. By understanding the psychological adaptation strategies employed by older adults with ARVL, occupational therapists will be better positioned to guide their clients toward positive adaptive patterns.
ISSN:0008-4174
1911-9828
DOI:10.1177/0008417419834422