Well-Being of Canadian Adolescents Who are Blind or Have Low Vision: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: This study investigates the well-being of Canadian adolescents who are blind or have low vision compared to their peers without visual disabilities. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2017-2018 Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey. Our sample consisted of 19,702 Canadian adolescents aged 11 to 15 years, including 401 who self-reported a diagnosis of blindness or low vision, while the remaining 19,301 reported no visual disabilities. Chi-square tests assessing differences in proportions pertaining to subjective and psychological well-being, self-rated health, life satisfaction, and loneliness between these two groups were conducted. Binary and ordinal logistic regression models were used for multivariate analysis. Results: Canadian adolescents with blindness or low vision reported significantly diminished life satisfaction and a significantly higher prevalence of loneliness. They experienced mental illness and depressive symptoms at a significantly greater rate than their peers without visual disabilities. Well-being measures for adolescents who are blind or have low vision and multiple disabilities, which we defined as a participant who reported at least one additional disability other than blindness or low vision, were significantly more compromised. Discussion: Blindness or low vision was associated with lower well-being outcomes, including life satisfaction and loneliness, as well as poorer mental health among Canadian adolescents. The presence of multiple disabilities exacerbated the already lower levels of well-being outcomes experienced by adolescents with visual disabilities. Implications for Practitioners: Practitioners should recognize the well-being disparities experienced by Canadian adolescents who identify as being blind or having low vision, particularly those with multiple disabilities, and develop targeted interventions to address these challenges. Increasing access to specialized mental health support and promoting inclusive school environments are essential for improving the well-being of adolescents with visual disabilities.