Predicting sleep-linked mental health in youth with visual impairments: a multidimensional approach

Youth with visual impairments face heightened vulnerability to health disparities, yet limited research has examined the interplay of physical competence, psychosocial factors, and sleep-related mental health in this population. This study investigated associations among perceived motor competence, physical performance, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and mental health–related sleep disruption (MHSD) in youth with visual impairments. Thirty-seven participants (M = 13.59 years; SD = 2.80; Female = 51%) were recruited from a sports camp for youth with visual impairments. Spearman’s rank-order correlations revealed significant associations between perceived motor competence and MHSD (ρ = –.46, p =.005), as well as between MHSD and HRQoL and weekday sleep. A multiple linear regression model accounted for 42% of the variance in MHSD (p =.006), with HRQoL (β = –.48), perceived motor competence (β = –.40), and physical performance (Supine-to-Stand; STS Max; β = –.38) emerging as significant predictors. These findings support the link from physical competence to health outcomes and underscore the importance of addressing both perceived and actual movement skill in mitigating mental health risks. Given the low-incidence nature of visual impairment, this study provides rare and valuable insight, advocating for inclusive, developmentally sensitive interventions that target movement functional capacity and overall well-being.