Investigation of the Visually Impaired Individuals’ Brain Domination, Problem-solving Skills, and Hopelessness

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the impact of brain dominance on problem-solving skills and hopelessness in individuals with visual impairment as a special group. Material and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 100 visually impaired individuals who were members of a private association in Turkey and met the inclusion criteria. The study data were collected using a Personal Information Form, Brain Dominance Inventory, Problem Solving Inventory and Beck Hopelessness Scale. In analysing the data, the study used percentage, mean, and the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The analysis of the study results indicated that 48% of the participants used their right brain, 50% used their left brain, and 2% of the participants used both. It was found that visually impaired individuals who used their left brain more actively had lower mean scores on feelings and expectations about the future, hopelessness and loss of motivation, which are the subscales of the Beck Hopelessness Scale, whereas the mean score of their problem-solving skills was higher (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that visually impaired individuals used one of the brain hemispheres predominantly and the used hemisphere actively affected problem solving and hopelessness. Visually impaired individuals can be trained according to the brain hemispheres they are dominant to use both brain regions. If so, problem solving skills will also increase.It is important to recognise that identifying visually impaired individuals' dominant learning styles is a significant factor in enhancing their problem-solving, decision making, analytical thinking and systematic planning skills.