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Perspectives of people with late age‐related macular degeneration on mental health and mental wellbeing programmes: a qualitative study
Author(s) -
Dillon Lisa,
Gandhi Sarthak,
Tang Diana,
Liew Gerald,
Hackett Maree,
Craig Ashley,
Mitchell Paul,
Keay Lisa,
Gopinath Bamini
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1111/opo.12779
Subject(s) - mental health , psychological intervention , perception , psychology , qualitative research , social isolation , macular degeneration , gerontology , loneliness , medicine , psychiatry , social science , neuroscience , sociology
Purpose People with age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) experience high rates of depression, but rarely engage in or have access to tailored mental wellbeing programmes. This qualitative study investigated the perspectives of those primarily with late AMD on mental health and mental wellbeing programmes. Methods Twenty‐eight people with late AMD in at least one eye, and one person with early AMD in both eyes, aged 56–87 years (mean age 78 years) attending a private eye clinic between December 2019 and January 2020 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, participated. Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted and analysed deductively using content analysis, following the individual level factors for health promotion interventions in the behaviour change wheel: Capability (Physical & Psychological) , Opportunity (Physical & Social) , and Motivation (Reflective & Automatic) . Results Six major themes were identified: Capability: (1) Impact of vision loss on mobility and leisure pursuits; (2) Adjustment to living with vision loss; Opportunity : (3) Program considerations for those with AMD; (4) Stigma and self‐perception of vision loss and mental health; Motivation: (5) Accumulation of vision‐related issues as a barrier to participation; (6) Examples of others living with vision loss. General personal factors relevant to delivery of a programme in this age group were also identified: Comorbidities; Limitations using technology; Isolation; Financial concerns and Beliefs that undesired effects of aging are inevitable. Conclusions Complex individual, environmental and social factors influence the perspectives of people with late AMD on mental health, and potential participation in mental wellbeing programmes. These factors should be considered when developing and implementing mental wellbeing programmes to improve the emotional and functional rehabilitation outcomes for people with AMD.