An Analysis on Relationships among Exercise Participation, Depression Experience, and Suicidal Ideation of People with Visual Impairment

Background/Objectives: This study provides the basic data required to improve the mental health of visually impaired persons by analyzing their relationships among exercise, depression experience, and suicidal ideation. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This study tapped into the raw data contained in the 2014 National Survey of Disabled Persons, conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in South Korea. A total of 728 persons with visual impairment, who were registered as ‘disabled persons’ in the database, were analyzed in this study via a logistic regression method, using SAS Enterprise Miner
13.1. Statistical significance was set at p<.05. Findings: A logistic regression analysis yielded the following results: 1. The depression experience of visually impaired persons who engaged in some form of exercise was significantly lower than that of visually impaired persons who did not engage in any form of exercise (OR value = .587; 95% CI = .406-.851); and 2. The probability that the visually impaired persons who were engaged in some form of exercise may have suicidal ideation was statistically lower than that of visually impaired persons who did not engage in any form of exercise (OR value = .534; 95% CI = .362-.789). Moreover, the probability of experiencing suicidal ideation was lower for the visually impaired persons who exercised for more than 30 minutes than for the visually impaired persons who exercised for less than 30 minutes (OR
value = .402; 95% CI = .195-.832). Application/Improvements: In conclusion, it can be concluded that visually impaired persons should be advised to engage in adequate exercise to lessen their depression and suicidal ideation.