The Mediating Role of Hope in the Relationship Between Meaning in Life and Subjective Well-Being Among Visually Impaired Individuals in Malaysia: Controlling for Disability-Related Characteristics

Abstract

Subjective well-being (SWB) refers to individuals’ cognitive and emotional evaluations of their lives, including life satisfaction and affective experiences. Although increasing attention has been given to psychological well-being, limited studies have examined the relationship between meaning in life and SWB, as well as the mediating role of hope among persons with visual impairment particularly within the Malaysian context. Furthermore, disability-related characteristics may influence psychological adjustment and well-being outcomes, yet these factors remain underexplored in existing studies. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the mediating role of hope in the relationship between meaning in life and subjective well-being among visually impaired individuals in Malaysia while controlling for selected disability-related characteristics. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed involving 144 participants recruited from the Society of Blind Malaysia (SBM) and the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB). Meaning in life was measured using the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), hope was assessed using the Adult Hope Scale (AHS), and subjective well-being was measured using a multidimensional well-being instrument adapted from established quality of life and psychological well-being measures. Data were analyzed using correlation analysis and Hayes’ PROCESS Macro mediation analysis with disability-related covariates incorporated into the model. The findings revealed significant positive relationships between meaning in life, hope, and subjective well-being (p < .05). Hope partially mediated the relationship between meaning in life and SWB, indicating that individuals with greater perceived life meaning tended to report higher levels of hope, which subsequently contributed to enhanced well-being. In addition, among the covariates examined, onset and category of blindness significantly predicted subjective well-being, whereas working status was not significant. The findings suggest that both psychological resources and disability-related characteristics contribute to subjective well-being among visually impaired individuals. This study contributes to positive psychology and disability research by extending understanding of psychological well being within the Malaysian visual impairment context. The findings suggest that interventions focusing on hope enhancement, meaning-centered support, and psychological resilience may help improve overall well-being and quality of life among visually impaired individuals.