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Comparison of locus of control among nursing home residents with visual impairment and normal sight
Background:
Despite well-documented effects of psychosocial factors on patients with visual impairment, eye care professionals often fail to incorporate these important concepts into management plans for this population.
Methods:
This study reports findings using the Levenson Locus of Control (LoC) Scale and its two modifications by Shewchuk et al. The study compares nursing home residents with visual impairment to individuals having normal sight to determine the status of LoC as a factor in visual rehabilitation.
Results:
T values vary significantly in LoC scores of nursing home residents sampled when compared with variables of gender and type of residence (i.e., independent living, congregate living, assisted living, intermediate care). T values do not vary significantly, however, across variables of visual impairment and normal sight.
Conclusions:
LoC does not appear to be a psychosocial factor that varies significantly among elderly nursing home residents sampled across the characteristics of normal sight and visual impairment. However, the population sampled may possess qualities that prevent generalization to the elderly population as a whole. A need for research with a larger, more diverse sample using locus of control scales as well as research using other psychosocial tests to evaluate patients with visual impairment is indicated.