New research at the University of Kent’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR), is set to conduct a uniquely in-depth analysis of what it means to live with sight loss.
The study, jointly funded by a bursary from Pocklington and the SSPSSR, will focus on “embodiment” – an area of growing interest which explores the interactions of mind and body and how they affect a person’s experiences and relationships.
‘Embodiment research is gaining increased attention as wider clinical findings confirm the interplay between our surrounding environment and our bodily experience, including our thoughts, emotions and behaviours,” said Researcher Martina Leeven, recipient of the bursary.
In a five year PhD project, her research will use in-depth interviews to gather the everyday experiences of people who begin to lose their sight in later years.It will go beyond the purely practical impact of sight loss and look at more intimate reactions, including issues of self-image, body language, changes in appearance and social interactions.
Says Martina:“My research will explore how older people with sight loss experience changes in mobility and movement, how they adapt their appearance through clothing and self-care, and what adjustments they make in their relationships and social interactions while managing the loss of eye contact and the ability to see themselves clearly. I shall also be examining the impact of using a white mobility cane on their sense of self and social dynamics.’
Serious sight loss affects nearly one in eight people over 75 and one in three people over 90, with a greater prevalence among women.With an increasingly ageing population the need for greater understanding into sight loss will become more pressing and the understanding gained from this project will be an important contribution to social policy.
Said Peter Corbett, Chief Executive, Thomas Pocklington Trust:
“We are excited to support this project. Sight loss is still a relatively neglected field of research and this project will provide a unique picture of what sight loss means to older people’s lives.We hope the nuanced understanding it could bring will shape future social policy and help to improve people’s quality of life.”
Professor Chris Shilling, Director of Graduate Studies at SSPSSR, added: “This collaborative project with Pocklington shows our commitment to pursuing research that makes a positive difference to people’s lives. We are delighted to be involved in supporting such an important piece of investigation.”
