Role of gender in coping capabilities among young visually disabled students

ABSTRACT

This study aims to detect the role of gender in coping capabilities among young visually disabled students attending two schools for blindness. The WHO Disability Assessment Schedule [WHODAS II], 36-Item Interviewer Administered translated Arabic version was used. It evaluates six domains of everyday living in the last 30 days. These domains are understanding and communicating, getting around, self care, getting along with people, household activities and participation in society. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews of 200 students who represented the target population of the study. Binary logistic regression analysis of the scores of the six domains revealed that in almost all the domains except for getting around with people and coping with school activities, females significantly faced more difficulties in coping with daily life activities than did their male counterparts. Getting older was a significant factor in increasing difficulties in coping with school activities. Genetic factor was a dominating factor in causing and increasing the difficulties score. Conclusion and recommendations: Female gender was more susceptible to facing more difficulties in coping with visual disability than males. Early rehabilitation measures should be applied to assist the coping and adaptation of the visually disabled in all aspects of everyday living activities