AGE-RELATED VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AS LIFE CRI SIS AND CHALLENGE FOR COPING RESOURCES

Three issues were addressed: 1., the emotional and behavioral conseque nces of an age-related visual loss were examined. 2., an environmental psychology view of consequences of visual impairment was taken to loo k at person environment relations. 3., variables to explain interindiv idual variations in these consequences were identified. Data of 168 el derly persons, 84 visually impaired, 47 mobility-impaired, and 42 non- impaired (with age means ranging from 74.9 to 78.8) were compared. The findings underline the negative impact of age-related visual impairme nt on the emotional and behavioral level as well as a clear shrinkage in the action radius. interindividual variations in these consequences could best be explained by subjective evaluations (regarding emotiona l consequences) and the objective severity of visual impairment (regar ding behavioral consequences). Results are discussed within a general framework of chronic conditions and aging.