Abstract
The purpose of this research was to develop a psycho-educational counselling programme for the handling of people suffering from a severe ophthalmologically challenge.
It appears that people who are severely ophthalmologically challenged do not only experience it physically but also experience negative feelings such as a crumbling self-image, a lack of self-confidence, various fears as well as depression. Their state of mind induces a change with regard to their interpersonal relationships because they avoid social interaction, as well as feelings of loss and they experience a change regarding acceptance by others. However, it has transpired that people who are severely ophthalmologically challenged make use of various mechanisms such as support by others, the gathering of information and humour in order to handle their ophthalmological challenges. Society attaches so much importance to external appearance which does not make it easier for a person suffering from a physical "dissimilarity" and it influences the person's metal health. As a consequence the researcher began asking the following questions:
1. What does the world in which a severely ophthalmologically challenged person live, look like?
2. How can a psycho-educational counselling programme lead such a person to mental health and self-acceptance?
A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was followed. The research took place in four phases:
In phase 1 the experiences of people with severe ophthalmological challenges were explored and described, by means of phenomenological, unstructured, in-depth interviews with the patient and significant others such as parents, spouses and children. In phase 2 the psycho-educational programme for the person with severe ophthalmological challenges was developed based on the results of phase 1. In phase 3 this psycho-educational counselling programme was implemented. During phase 4 the evaluation of the psycho-educational programme took place by means of a single case study. The motivation behind the development of such a programme was to create a framework in which people with severe ophthalmological challenges could develop constructive interpersonal communication skills. They could also be afforded the opportunity to reflect through discourse. By attaching significance to their discourse they can accept their changing circumstances and act self-assertively. The programme has been facilitated so that psycho-educationists and other professionals may use it to facilitate the counselling programme to improve mental health for people who are severely ophthalmologically challenged.
Prof. C.P.H. Myburgh
Prof. M.Poggenpoel