Guide dog ownership and psychological well-being
Date
2006-03
Authors
Wiggett, Cindy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
This study explored the dynamics of guide dog ownership from a psychological point
of view. The research was explorative in nature and employed two historically
distinct methodologies of enquiry (both quantitative and qualitative). This explorative
study relied on a very comprehensive literature review, which combined literature
from three distinct fields of research: disability research, psychofortology and the
human-animal interaction. Based on this literature review, three research questions
were formulated. The first part of the study focused on the concept of well-being. The
first two research questions dealt with the question of whether differences exist
between the well-being of persons with blindness and guide dog ownership and
persons with blindness without guide dog ownership. These two questions were
answered in a quantitative fashion by employing Ryff’s Scales of Psychological wellbeing
(1989) to two naturally occurring groups (n = 65). In general, no group
differences emerged, but the properties of the questionnaire and some confounding
may have skewed the results. The final research question explored the lived
experience of anticipating and owning a guide dog in a qualitative fashion. Two
interviews were conducted with each of six participants (one interview before guide
dog ownership and one after acquiring a guide dog). The qualitative methodology
yielded some very promising findings on the nature of guide dog ownership. Seven
themes emerged from the first interview and eight from the second. Guide dog
ownership seems to be a life-changing experience, with both negative and positive
consequences for the owner and his/her psychological well-being. This study
concludes with a strong argument for the complementary use of quantitative and
qualitative methodologies. Recommendations are given for several service providers in and for the community of persons with disabilities, and suggestions are made for
future research on a topic of this nature.
Description
Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
Keywords
Blind -- Psychological testing, Well-being -- Testing, People with visual disabilities -- Psychological testing, Animals as aids for people with disabilities, Human-animal relationships, Ryff Scales of Psychological well-being, Dissertations -- Psychology, Theses -- Psychology