A study on the needs and the challenges of peer social interaction in adolescents with visual impairments

The purpose of this study was to explore the needs and challenges encountered in peer social interaction in adolescents with visual impairments. A qualitative research design was mainly used to collect and analyze data. A quantitative method was also used to calculate the scores on the social skill checklist. Finally, a group social skill training program was provided to participants. The focus group interview protocol, group social skill training program, one-on-one social skill training for high school students, the social skill checklist, and a parent interview protocol were used to collect data and investigate the outcome of social skill training. The participants included eleven adolescents with visual impairments. Two of them used large print and the rest of them used Braille as their learning media. The findings showed that the needs of visually impaired adolescents in peer social interaction included: a need to enhance basic social interaction skills, and to promote advanced social skills. The challenges experienced by visually impaired adolescents in peer social interaction consisted of being bullied, having peers playing jokes on them or making fun of their visual impairments, being socially rejected, and having no effective social skills to cope with the challenges. The results of this research indicated that social skill training did improve the quality of peer social interaction skills in these adolescents. Suggestions for future research were also provided.