Coping and defense in relation to accommodation among a sample of blind men

The relation of 26 measures of ego functioning, as assessed by the responses of 101 blind men to the California Psychological Inventory, to employment status and travel freedom were examined. Previous research findings and methodology and the need to control for intervening variables were discussed. The accommodation of blindness was characterized by greater cognitive and intellectual articulation, the absence of intraceptive rigidity, and the flexible regulation of affect and impulse. While this pattern held true for those subjects born partially sighted and those acquiring total and partial blindness, no differences emerged for subject born totally or partially blind. Support was found for the construct validity of the ego measures, as well as Haan's proposition of complementary pairing of ego functions. On the basis of these results specific recommendations were made regarding the administration of the scales and counseling among the blind.