FROM MALADAPTATION TO INTEGRATION: EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS (ANALYTICAL REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/psych.studies/2025.4.15Keywords:
individuals with visual impairments, emotional patterns, maladjustment signs, multidisciplinary approach, psychocorrectional and psychotherapeutic methodsAbstract
The modern lifestyle, saturated with stress, psycho-emotional stress, and information overload, poses serious risks to the health of the human visual system. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of visual impairments on the emotional and behavioral sphere of the personality and to systematize the psychological mechanisms of adaptation to conditions of visual deprivation. People with visual impairments experience an increased frequency of emotional reactions associated with tension, frustration, and emotional lability. These manifestations are particularly pronounced in conditions of insufficient adaptation to the social and physical environment. The relevance of developing comprehensive psychological assistance for blind and visually impaired people in Ukraine is growing due to the increase in the number of such individuals. The implementation of an integrated approach to psychological, social, and rehabilitation support is not only a medical or social necessity, but also an important step toward building a strong, healthy society capable of effectively overcoming the consequences of contemporary crises. Visual impairment is a multifactorial problem that requires the integration of medical, psychological, pedagogical, and social approaches. Effective assistance should be based on an understanding of the psychophysiological characteristics of individuals with visual pathology. The nature of emotional and behavioral disorders correlates significantly with the age of onset of blindness. Congenital disorders are associated with a higher adaptive capacity, while acquired blindness requires more intensive psychological support. People with visual impairments develop a characteristic set of emotional states, including pathological anxiety, asthenic-depressive manifestations, frustration reactions, emotional lability, and specific phobias. To achieve this goal, Ukraine needs to take the following steps: develop and implement state programs to support people with visual impairments; ensure the training of specialists with specialized education for new rehabilitation centers; actively use international experience and resources in the field of psychological assistance and rehabilitation.
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