Facebook usage and quality of life of individuals with visual impairments

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of Facebook usage on the quality of life of individuals with visual impairment while also investigating the impact of Facebook communication in comparison with face-to-face communication on quality of life. Ninety-two adult users of Facebook with visual impairment, of whom 46 lived in Greece and 46 lived abroad, participated in this study. Regarding Facebook usage, a questionnaire which investigated the frequency of various aspects of Facebook activity and Facebook communication as well as face-to-face communication was used in this study. Regarding quality of life, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, a single-item happiness scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory were employed to evaluate three different indicators of quality of life. Participants’ quality of life was relatively high. Findings showed that face-to-face communication with friends was a significant predictor of quality of life, while neither Facebook communication nor Facebook usage correlated with any of the indicators of quality of life investigated.