ITAA - KSCT Joint Symposium

Symbolic Threads and Sisterhood: The Psychological Role of a Sighted Caregiver in Shaping a Blind Teenager's Apparel Identity

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Abstract

As a society, we utilize dress as a communicator during social interaction and an integral aid in the establishment of self-identity. However, people with visual impairments (PVI) face unique challenges in utilizing dress for these purposes. How do PVI select apparel that communicates self-identity in a landscape lacking non-visual product information? To address this, Giles' (1973) communication accommodation theory was utilized to explore how people adjust communication styles in social interactions, the motivations to adjust, and the consequences for relationships, identity, and social perception. This study explored the social and psychological dynamics between a blind female teenager and her sighted sister as they navigate selecting apparel that shapes self-identity and social expression. The findings illuminate the critical role of a sighted caregiver in shaping the apparel identity of a blind teenager through the psychological importance of autonomy, and the effects that ableist, social pressures have on self-esteem and social inclusion. 

Keywords: visual impairment, self-perception, social inclusion, appearance management

How to Cite:

Nicoson, E. & Ha-Brookshire, J. E., (2025) “Symbolic Threads and Sisterhood: The Psychological Role of a Sighted Caregiver in Shaping a Blind Teenager's Apparel Identity”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21989