Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin current issue

Building the Case for Delivering Health Promotion Services Within the Vocational Rehabilitation System

Ipsen, C., Seekins, T., Ravesloot, C. — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:16:44 PST

Research studies report a negative relationship between employment and secondary conditions. Access to health promotion programs to manage secondary conditions, however, is limited for people with disabilities due to employment, financial, and insurance barriers. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) is one possible delivery point to overcome these barriers and improve access. To build the case for VR delivery, this article compares VR clients to Living Well health promotion program participants, who successfully reduced their secondary conditions. At baseline,VR (n = 162) and Living Well (n = 188) participants reported similar health promoting lifestyle behavior ratings and similar severity ratings across many secondary conditions. In addition, the VR group experienced similar rates of limitation from secondary conditions over time, indicating that their health was not improving in the absence of a health promotion intervention. Because health promotion programs can reduce secondary conditions, this research supports continued exploration of health promotion delivery within the VR system.

Race-Ethnicity, Education, and Employment After Spinal Cord Injury

Krause, J. S., Saunders, L., Staten, D. — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:16:44 PST

The objective of this article was to identify the relationship between race-ethnicity and employment after spinal cord injury (SCI), while evaluating interrelationships with gender, injury severity, and education. The authors used a cohort design using the most current status from a post-injury interview from the National SCI Statistical Center. Participants included 14,454 adults ages 18 to 64, at least 1 year post-injury, not currently students or homemakers, and with residual impairment. Primary outcome was self-reported gainful employment. A total of 26.8% were working, and Caucasians were most likely to work followed by Hispanics and African Americans. Education and injury severity were strong predictors of working but did not attenuate the relationship between race and working. African American women were more likely to work than African American men, but this relationship was not significant for other race groups. Further research is needed to identify modifiable risk factors that can decrease the gap in post-injury employment between African Americans and other races.

Health Benefits for Vocational Rehabilitation Consumers: Comparison of Access Rates With Workers in the General Population

Lustig, D. C., Strauser, D. R. — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:16:44 PST

Access to health insurance is one of the critical aspects of securing employment for people with disabilities. This study investigated whether vocational rehabilitation consumers secured employment with an employer who offered health insurance at similar rates to workers in the general population. In general, the results show that vocational rehabilitation consumers had significantly lower health insurance access rates than workers in the general population. Implications for rehabilitation counselors are discussed.

Are Client--Counselor Ethnic/Racial Matches Associated With Successful Rehabilitation Outcomes?

Whitfield, H. W., Venable, R., Broussard, S. — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:16:45 PST

The purpose of this study was to determine if client—counselor ethnic/racial matches were associated with successful vocational rehabilitation (VR) outcomes. There was no significant difference in acceptance rates for VR services. Client— counselor ethnic/racial matches had a significantly higher rehabilitation rate than client—counselor mismatches. Reasons for closure were examined with logistic regression analysis. "Achieved an employment outcome," "individual in institution," and closure for "all other reasons" were significantly associated with client—counselor matches. This study also examined the amount of time counselors took to determine eligibility, the amount of funds counselors expended on services, the amount of time applicants were in the VR program, and the weekly wages of applicants at case closure while controlling for disability and education at application. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed no significant differences. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Couple Support Schemata in Couples With and Without Spinal Cord Injury

Gilad, D., Lavee, Y. — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:16:45 PST

This article describes the cognitive schemata of couples’ support relationships among 65 couples in which the husband had a long-term spinal cord injury and 65 couples without disability. The structure of the support relations schemata were examined by means of smallest-space analysis. Similarities between men and women in couples with and without disability reflect common themes in schemata of interpersonal support in couples, whereas disparities between the groups reflect differences in the life circumstances of the men with disability and their wives. It appears that in couples who are living with disability, the support needs contribute to the shaping of the cognitive representation of support in accordance with the situation.

Is the Ability to Ambulate Associated With Better Employment Outcomes in Participants With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury?

Krause, J. S. — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:16:45 PST

The author compares current employment status after spinal cord injury between participants who were independent in ambulation (required no assistance from others) and those who were dependent in ambulation (required assistance from at least one other person to ambulate). Those who were independent of assistance from others in ambulation were significantly more likely to be employed. Rehabilitation counselors should consider the special needs and circumstances of those who ambulate with assistance.

Continuing Education Answer Sheet For Volume 53, No 2

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:16:45 PST

Continuing Education Questions: January 2010 -- Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:16:45 PST

Editorial Policy

Strohmer, D. C. — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:16:45 PST