Alison Rose's research while affiliated with York University and other places

Loneliness has been termed a social epidemic, especially when experienced by people with disabilities. In order to better understand how loneliness is experienced in vulnerable populations, the present study compared the qualitative dimensions of loneliness of the blind and visually impaired with the general population not on the frequency or intensity of their loneliness, but on its qualitative aspects. One hundred and eighty-seven participants responded to a questionnaire which measured the qualitative aspects of loneliness on five subscales: Emotional distress, social inadequacy, Growth and discovery, social isolation, and emotional alienation. Results indicated that as expected, the two populations differed significantly in their scores on four of the five subscales (except emotional alienation), but in the opposite direction of what was expected. That may indicate that the visually impaired person’s ability to transcend their blindness, and connect with those around them, and the larger society, in different—and not necessarily less meaningful-manner than the seeing general population. As expected, the visually impaired scored significantly higher than the general population on the Growth and development subscale.

Loneliness has been termed a social epidemic, especially when experienced by people with sight challenges. The present study compared how the sight challenged and the blind cope with loneliness, compared to the general population groups, amongst a total of 187 participants. The questionnaire which we used, included 34-items to which a yes/no response was requested, and assessed the various ways that people cope effectively with loneliness. The questionnaire included six subscales of coping strategies, namely, Reflection and acceptance, Self-development and understanding, Social support network, Distancing and denial, Religion faith, and increased activity. As expected, the two populations differed significantly in their subscale scores, with the visually challenged scoring higher than the general population, on Self-development and understanding and the Religion and faith subscales. Interpretation of these results and their implications are discussed in further detail.