Modeling the Challenges Faced by Elderly Men with Visual Impairment: A Qualitative Research Study based on Grand Theory

Individuals with visual impairment encounter numerous difficulties that can significantly affect their quality of life and restrict their ability to excel in various areas such as education, independent living, socializing, and health status. In this study, we aim to present a model of the challenges that elderly men with visual impairment face, based on grounded theory.

This study was qualitative and focused on old men in Shiraz City who have visual impairment. The participants were chosen through purposeful and snowball sampling until the point of theoretical saturation was reached. A semi-structured interview was used as the data collection tool. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using the Strauss and Corbin (1998) method. The data coding was conducted in three stages: open (initial), central, and selective coding. 

After conducting interviews with elderly men who have visual impairments, we were able to identify five central categories of their lived experiences. These categories include: feeling vulnerable, dealing with challenging environments, feeling lonely, minor environment's perceive, major environment's perceive.

Based on the results obtained, addressing the challenges faced by elderly men with visual impairments can significantly enhance their psychological well-being. Therefore, it is essential to improve the quality of life of this vulnerable group. Furthermore, these findings can be used as a significant step towards reducing the obstacles faced by visually impaired individuals in accessing social support and receiving appropriate health and psychological services.