Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40801416›Full record

ArticlePsychology and psychotherapy2026

Barriers and accessibility-improving strategies in mental health services for persons with hearing or vision impairments: Perspectives from professionals and clients-A qualitative interview study.

Bastian Hardt, Thomas Heidenreich, Christina Hunger-Schoppe, Nele Adam, Julia Heinen, Joana Hopf, Axel Röhlig, Johannes Michalak

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Article in Psychology and psychotherapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Bastian HardtDepartment of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.ORCID 0009-0002-9914-5332
Thomas HeidenreichDepartment of Social Work, Education, and Nursing Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Esslingen, Esslingen, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-5072-2998
Christina Hunger-SchoppeDepartment of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-7762-6859
Nele AdamDepartment of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
Julia HeinenDepartment of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
Joana HopfDepartment of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
Axel RöhligDepartment of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
Johannes MichalakDepartment of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.ORCID 0000-0003-4701-5464

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesDespite studies showing that persons with hearing impairments (HI) or vision impairments (VI) have an increased risk of developing mental health disorders, mental health services frequently are not accessible and suited to the specific needs of both populations. However, there is limited research addressing how mental health services can be improved to meet these needs.

designThis qualitative interview study explores barriers and strategies to improve accessibility in mental health services for persons with HI or VI in Germany, as viewed with a multi-perspective approach.

methodsUsing problem-centred interviews, which combine a flexible interview guide with a focus on specific issues, we applied a participatory research approach to gather insights from 58 participants, including mental health professionals specialised in treating persons with HI or VI and persons with HI or VI with lived experience as clients in mental health services.

resultsThe qualitative content analysis yielded 44 inductive subcategories within a category system of seven deductive main categories. Key barriers included communication, limited visual accessibility and environmental challenges, while improvement strategies focused on tailored therapeutic adaptations as well as proactive and collaborative practices between therapists and clients.

conclusionsOur findings highlight the need for structural changes and expanded mental health services that cater to the specific needs of persons with sensory impairments. These insights should contribute to improving mental health services, training programs for professionals and emphasise the importance of including persons with HI or VI, both professionals and clients, in the participatory development of accessible care.

Indexed as

Health Services AccessibilityHearing LossMental DisordersMental Health ServicesVision DisordersAdultAgedAttitude of Health PersonnelFemaleGermanyHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedQualitative Researchaccessibilitybarriershearing impairmentmental healthparticipatory researchqualitative content analysisvision impairment

Identifiers

PMID40801416
PMCPMC12905524

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.