Digital Divide and Blind Users: A Scoping Review of Psychological Factors

Digital divide research has expanded beyond access to include disparities in skills and usage; however, the psychological factors influencing digital exclusion among blind users remain insufficiently synthesised. This scoping review aimed to identify psychological factors associated with the digital divide among blind users, examine methodological approaches used in this research area and document the measurement tools used across studies. Following Joanna Briggs Institute guidance and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews reporting standards, four databases (Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and IEEE Xplore) were searched for peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2023. Using the Population–Concept–Context framework, studies addressing psychological factors related to the digital divide among blind users were included. After screening and eligibility assessment, nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and synthesised descriptively. Prominent psychological factors included perceived usefulness, digital self-efficacy, technological anxiety, trust issues, lack of digital literacy and motivational barriers. These were grouped into technical, psycho-social, techno-psychological and psycho-economic domains. Qualitative designs predominated, with surveys and interviews as the primary data collection tools. Psychological factors significantly shape digital participation among blind users. Addressing motivational, emotional and cognitive barriers, as well as structural barriers to accessibility, is essential to advancing equitable digital inclusion.