Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the level of anxiety and depression of deaf and blind people and their attitudes towards justice in the world. The aim was also to compare these levels between two groups and the control group and determine the sociodemographic characteristics of the three groups. The study was designed as a cross sectional study. The study included 46 deaf, 49 blind and 38 participants in the control group. Anxiety and depression levels were measured using the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventory. Attitudes towards justice were measured using the General Belief in a Just World Scale. The group of deaf people was interviewed by a researcher using the Croatian Sign Language. A group of blind people was interviewed by the researcher. Deaf people had a significantly higher Beck Anxiety score (p<0,001) and Beck Depression score (p<0,001) compared to the control group. Deaf patients did not have a significantly higher General Belief score compared to the control group. Blind patients had a significantly higher General Belief score compared to the control group (p<0,001) and a significantly higher Beck Anxiety score (p=0,035) compared to the control group. The results of this study revealed significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety among deaf and blind patients, they showed a negative correlation between positive attitudes toward a just world and anxiety among deaf patients. They did show higher levels in attitudes of blind people towards a just world compared to deaf and control groups.