Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Psychological Wellbeing of Visually Impaired Adolescents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10897056Keywords:
Impact of COVID-19, Psychological well-being, Visually Impaired Adolescents, AwarenessAbstract
Purpose: COVID-19 posed a global threat, and prompted countries to implement preventive measures such as lockdowns, impacting people physically and psychologically. This study explores the perceived impact of COVID-19 on the psychological well-being of visually impaired adolescents (VIA), examining awareness levels and precautionary measures.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Causal-comparative research design and quantitative survey method were used. 65 items, a self-developed questionnaire, across four subscales (awareness level, precautionary measures against COVID, impact of COVID, psychological wellbeing) was administered to the sample of 162 visually impaired adolescents (114 males, 48 females) aged 10 to 19 from the Bahawalpur division.
Findings: Results showed significant differences in perceived impact, psychological well-being, and precautionary measures among visually impaired adolescents. No significant differences were found based on gender, age, or socio-economic status. A negative correlation existed between awareness level and psychological well-being, while positive correlations were found among perceived impact, psychological well-being, and precautionary measures.
Implications/Originality/Value: It was concluded that with the increase in awareness about the pandemic, VIA developed apprehensions about the disease which in turn caused a decrease in psychological well-being. As a result of the higher perceived impact of the COVID, the precautionary measures against the disease would also increase. Which could in turn increase the psychological well-being of VIA.
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