PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF DEPRESSIVE STATES FORMATION IN ADULTS WITH ACQUIRED VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

Abstract

Introduction. Mental health problems related to anxiety and depression are among the most pressing challenges in contemporary societies. Adults who experience acquired vision loss are at particularly high risk, with depressive disorders occurring two to three times more frequently in this group compared to the general population. Vision loss alters lifestyle, disrupts social roles and autonomy, and often triggers a profound emotional and existential crisis. Purpose. To study the psychological mechanisms of the formation of depressive states in adults as a result of acquired vision loss and to identify the main factors influencing the process of adaptation to disability. Scientific novelty. The article analyses the mechanisms of depressive state formation in the context of acquired vision loss through the lens of Beck’s cognitive model and Seligman’s learned helplessness theory. It systematizes internal (age, personality traits, coping strategies) and external (social support, access to rehabilitation, social attitudes) factors of adaptation, highlights the role of vision-related distress, changes in self-esteem and identity, and substantiates the importance of adaptive coping and multidisciplinary interventions for psychological support. Conclusions. The findings emphasize the multifactorial nature of depressive states in adults with acquired visual impairment and justify the need for an integrated approach combining psychological assessment, psychotherapy, psychosocial rehabilitation, and interdisciplinary cooperation. These results are significant for the development of evidence-based programs aimed at preventing and treating depressive states in individuals with acquired vision loss.