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Vision and hearing problems and psychosocial outcomes: longitudinal evidence from the German Ageing Survey
[journal article]
Abstract To examine whether changes in vision and hearing problems are associated with changes in psychosocial outcomes (in terms of depressive symptoms, loneliness, and perceived social isolation).
We used longitudinal data from the nationally representative German Ageing Survey, which covers individuals a... view more
To examine whether changes in vision and hearing problems are associated with changes in psychosocial outcomes (in terms of depressive symptoms, loneliness, and perceived social isolation).
We used longitudinal data from the nationally representative German Ageing Survey, which covers individuals aged 43 years and over (wave 6 and wave 7, with 7108 observations and mean age of 67.5 years, SD 10.2 years). The 6-item De Jong Gierveld tool was used to quantify loneliness, the Bude and Lantermann tool was used to quantify perceived social isolation, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (15-item version) was used to quantify depressive symptoms. Self-rated problems reading the newspaper due to vision problems and self-rated difficulties recognizing known people on the street due to vision problems were used to quantify vision problems. In addition, self-rated hearing problems on the telephone and self-rated hearing problems in groups of more than four people were used to quantify hearing problems.
Adjusting for various confounders, longitudinal regressions showed that the onset of major vision problems referring to difficulties recognizing people one knows on the street was associated with increases in loneliness (β = 0.17, p < .01) and depressive symptoms (β = 1.90, p < 0.05). Moreover, the onset of some vision problems referring to difficulties reading the newspaper was associated with increases in perceived social isolation (β = 0.06, p < 0.01). Additionally, the onset of some hearing problems in groups of more than four people was associated with increases in depressive symptoms (β = 0.43, p < 0.05).
Our longitudinal study showed that vision and hearing problems can contribute differently to psychosocial factors. Delaying sensory impairment may result in favorable psychosocial factors in later life.... view less
Keywords
visual impairment; hearing impairment; psychological consequences; psychosocial factors; mental health; depression; solitude; Federal Republic of Germany
Classification
Gerontology
Psychological Disorders, Mental Health Treatment and Prevention
Free Keywords
DEAS 2017; DEAS 2020/21; Sehschwäche; Hörschwäche; Mentale Gesundheit
Document language
English
Publication Year
2024
Page/Pages
p. 879-886
Journal
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 59 (2024) 5
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-023-02588-9
ISSN
1433-9285
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed