Visual impairment and self-esteem

Abstract

This account follows on from the research report ‘Visual impairment and its impact on self-esteem’ (Bowen, 2010) published in this journal. The original article reported the results of an investigation of self-esteem levels amongst a sample group of 60 children with visual impairment. Four children, whose self-esteem was measured as ‘low’ or ‘very low’ on the B/G STEEM (1993) at the outset of the study were provided with educational programmes in school designed to enhance self-esteem, and their self-esteem was subsequently re-tested on two further occasions. The strategic interventions trialled were ‘circle time’, ‘circle of friends’ and individual mentoring. The interventions were trialled singly and in combination. There was no conclusive evidence that any one strategic intervention, or combination of interventions, was more successful at enhancing self-esteem than any other.

However, three out of the four pupils had achieved higher scores for self-esteem by the second assessment; all of them had increased self-esteem levels by the third assessment six months later; and their schools openly commented about the benefits of the interventions for the young people concerned. Possible explanations for the apparent improvements in the target children are offered.