Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin recent issues

ARCA Research Awards 2009

2009-09-30

Differences in Affect, Life Satisfaction, and Depression Between Successfully and Unsuccessfully Rehabilitated Persons With Spinal Cord Injuries

Chapin, M. H., Holbert, D. — 2009-09-30

This study assessed whether persons with spinal cord injuries who were successfully rehabilitated differed from those who were not with regard to positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, and depression. An ex post facto research design compared persons with spinal cord injuries who were previously employed with persons with spinal cord injuries who were not employed after receiving services from a southeastern state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services program. There were no significant differences between the two groups based on age, gender, race, current level of education, and time employed prior to their injury.The unsuccessfully rehabilitated had lower positive affect and higher negative affect, were less satisfied with life and more depressed, and had a higher percentage of cervical and lumbar injuries than the successfully rehabilitated. Positive psychotherapy techniques are recommended to see if they can decrease depression and improve satisfaction with life and positive affect, while decreasing negative affect.

Disability Prototypes in the United States and the Russian Federation:An International Comparison

Martz, E., Strohmer, D., Fitzgerald, D., Daniel, S., Arm, J. — 2009-09-30

The purpose of this cross-cultural research is to examine prototypical perspectives about disability groups in the United States and Russia by extending the research on disability prototypes that was conducted by McCaughey and Strohmer. Open-ended questions permitted participants to describe what they thought were prototypical characteristics of people in three disability groups (AIDS, hearing impairment, and spinal cord injury). A series of chi-square analyses indicate that there are significant differences across superordinate categories between the two countries, in addition to significant differences within two superordinate categories when examining the two samples across three disability categories.Tentative conclusions of the findings, possible implications for rehabilitation counselors, and directions for further research are briefly discussed.

Obtaining Employment After Spinal Cord Injury: Relationship With Pre- and Postinjury Education

Krause, J. S., Reed, K. S. — 2009-09-30

The authors identify the association of educational milestones obtained before and after spinal cord injury (SCI) with postinjury employment (PIE). Survey data were collected from 1,362 adults younger than 65, with traumatic SCI of at least 1 year duration who were not currently attending school. The sole outcome was obtaining PIE—whether the individual had worked at any time since SCI onset. Approximately 54% of eligible participants worked post-SCI. Logistic regression was used to identify the odds of employment as a function of the educational milestones while controlling for other characteristics.With the exception of a high school certificate, completing educational milestones after injury was associated with substantially higher odds of employment than when they were completed prior to injury. The results underscore the need for postinjury education, even among individuals who have extensive training and education at the time of injury.

Willingness of Graduate Students in Rehabilitation Counseling to Discuss Sexuality With Clients

Juergens, M. H., Miller Smedema, S., Berven, N. L. — 2009-09-30

The purpose of this study was to obtain a greater understanding of the willingness of graduate students in rehabilitation counseling to discuss sexuality with clients.This was done by testing a model of factors predicted to influence the willingness of rehabilitation counseling master’s students to discuss sexuality with clients, using path analysis.The results of this study suggest that sexuality knowledge, sexuality education, attitudes toward the sexuality of people with disabilities, and comfort with sexuality affect the willingness of rehabilitation counselors to discuss sexuality with clients, with sexuality knowledge and comfort with sexuality having direct effects on willingness. Understanding the relationships between these variables may facilitate the design of interventions that promote the willingness of rehabilitation counselors to discuss sexuality with clients.

Denial of Chronic Illness and Disability: Part II. Research Findings, Measurement Considerations, and Clinical Aspects

Livneh, H. — 2009-09-30

The concept of denial has been an integral part of the psychological and disability studies bodies of literature for over 100 years.Yet, denial is a highly elusive concept and has been associated with mixed, indeed conflicting theoretical perspectives, clinical strategies, and empirical findings. In part II the author reviews empirical findings, measurement strategies, and clinical approaches associated with denial, with particular emphasis on rehabilitation-specific findings and implications. It focuses on empirical findings linking the use of denial to a number of psychosocial outcomes, measures that have been employed in the assessment of denial and, intervention strategies to manage denial. Part II concludes with a brief discussion of the implications generated by the current understanding of denial to rehabilitation practitioners and researchers.

Occupations at Case Closure for Vocational Rehabilitation Applicants With Criminal Backgrounds

Whitfield, H. W. — 2009-09-30

The purpose of this study was to identify industries that hire persons with disabilities and criminal backgrounds. The researcher obtained data on 1,355 applicants for vocational rehabilitation services who were living in adult correctional facilities at the time of application. Service-based industries hired the most ex-inmates with disabilities (n = 424, 31.3%), followed by the structural work industry (n = 319, 23.5%) and miscellaneous occupations (n = 209, 15.4%).

Continuing Education Answer Sheet For Volume 53, No 1

2009-09-30

Continuing Education Questions: October 2009 - Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin

2009-09-30

Willingness to Engage in Personal Relationships With Persons With Disabilities: Examining Category and Severity of Disability

Miller, E., Chen, R., Glover-Graf, N. M., Kranz, P. — 2009-06-18

This study examined the willingness of persons without disabilities (PWODs) to engage in personal relationships with persons with disabilities (PWDs). Participants (N = 305) were primarily female Hispanic students (91%) preparing for careers in the helping professions. The Relationships and Disability Survey assessed the effect of the category and severity of disability on the type of relationships students were willing to have with PWDs. Students also ranked personal attributes of PWDs that might affect their willingness to engage in relationships. Results indicated that students were significantly more willing to have friendships and acquaintanceships with persons with mild to moderate disabilities and persons with sensory, health, and physical impairments. Students were least willing to marry or have a partnership with a PWD, especially if the PWD had cognitive and psychiatric impairments. Personal attributes of intelligence, kindness, and humor were rated most highly.

Denial of Chronic Illness and Disability: Part I. Theoretical, Functional, and Dynamic Perspectives

Livneh, H. — 2009-06-18

Denial has been an integral part of the psychological and disability literature for more than 100 years. Yet, denial is an elusive concept and has been associated with mixed, indeed conflicting, theoretical perspectives, clinical strategies, and empirical findings. In this two-part article, the author provides an overview of the existing literature on denial that addresses the most prominent and rehabilitation-relevant features of it. Part I provides a generic yet clinically based discussion of denial and focuses on the following: historical perspective of denial, the definitions of denial, the types or forms of denial most often encountered in the literature, the functions served by denial, the indicators or markers most frequently associated with denial, the dynamics and processes inherent in the operation of denial, and the costs and benefits of denial.

Adherence to Medical Regimens: Understanding the Effects of Cognitive Appraisal, Quality of Life, and Perceived Family Resiliency

Frain, M. P., Bishop, M., Tschopp, M. K., Ferrin, M. J., Frain, J. — 2009-06-18

Adherence studies have taken center stage due to the life-threatening risks associated with nonadherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens for people with HIV/AIDS. This study examines adherence through self-report of individuals on HAART regimens in a manner to account for demand characteristic bias, while still attempting to get an accurate portrayal of individuals' adherence to their medication. Results indicate that individuals who are more certain about their course of treatment, are more trusting of their medical provider, have family resources, and are more optimistic about life adhere better. The model predicts who will be adherent with 92% accuracy while accounting for 55% of the variance in adherence. Practice implications for increasing adherence and accurately assessing adherence are discussed.

Operationalizing Self-Efficacy, Related Social Cognitive Variables, and Moderating Effects: Implications for Rehabilitation Research and Practice

O'Sullivan, D., Strauser, D. R. — 2009-06-18

Self-efficacy, a core construct of Bandura's social cognitive theory, has wide appeal and usefulness in the health and social sciences. Self-efficacy is frequently used across disciplines to assess an individual's beliefs about her likelihood to engage in a certain behavior. Because of the behavioral-change approaches common in rehabilitation counseling interventions, self-efficacy is an important construct to operationalize, measure, and apply for best research and clinical outcomes. Several factors contribute to inaccurate or inappropriate assessment, measurement, interpretation, and application of this important construct; numerous scales used to measure efficacy, various contexts, related constructs, and moderating effects of efficacy make best use of efficacy measurement and application difficult. This article outlines the theory of self-efficacy, distinguishes its closely related constructs, summarizes common moderating effects, and provides important considerations for clinical practice and research.

Book Review: Martz, E., & Livneh, H. (Eds.). (2007). Coping With Chronic Illness and Disability: Theoretical, Empirical, and Clinical Aspects. New York: Springer. 430 pp., $89.95 (hardcover)

Chapin, M. H. — 2009-06-18

Continuing Education Questions: July 2009 -- Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin

2009-06-18

Predicting Employment Outcomes of Consumers of State-Operated Comprehensive Rehabilitation Centers

Beach, D. T. — 2009-04-01

This study used records from a state-operated comprehensive rehabilitation center to investigate possible predictive factors related to completing comprehensive rehabilitation center programs and successful vocational rehabilitation (VR) case closure. An analysis of demographic data of randomly selected comprehensive rehabilitation center participants served between fiscal year (FY) 1998-1999 and FY 2003-2004 indicated that participants were by and large younger than participants in the general VR program, with many center participants having psychological or cognitive primary disabilities. A binary logistic regression identified completing a comprehensive rehabilitation center program as a predictor of successful VR case closure, whereas receiving psychological services, being from a rural area, and receiving public assistance were negative predictors of successful VR case closure.

An Analysis of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Consumers with Hearing Impairments who Received College or University Training

Boutin, D. L., Wilson, K. — 2009-04-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive ability of vocational rehabilitation services for deaf and hard of hearing consumers who received college and university training. The RSA-911 database for fiscal year 2004 was analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of 21 services in leading to competitive employment. A model predicting competitive employment included job search assistance, job placement, maintenance, rehabilitation technology, transportation, information and referral services, and other services. Results from the logistic regression analysis are discussed in relation to the implications to practitioners and educators.

Partner-Related Rehabilitation Experiences of Lesbians with Physical Disabilities: A Qualitative Study

Hunt, B., Milsom, A., Matthews, C. R. — 2009-04-01

The authors interviewed 25 lesbians with physical disabilities about their perspectives on their partner-related experiences. Using phenomenological inquiry, they identified two themes: one, how the disability affected the partnership and, two, treatment as a lesbian couple by rehabilitation professionals. The themes and subthemes are described in detail, and implications for rehabilitation counselors are presented.

Rehabilitation Counseling Graduate Students' Preferences for Employment: Agreement Between Actual and Perceived Job Tasks of State--Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

Lustig, D. C., Strauser, D. R. — 2009-04-01

A national study of rehabilitation counseling graduate students and state—federal rehabilitation counselors investigated whether there were differences between (a) what graduate students preferred to do upon graduation and what they believed vocational rehabilitation counselors did, (b) what graduate students preferred to do upon graduation and what vocational rehabilitation counselors perceived they did, and (c) what students believed vocational rehabilitation counselors did and what counselors perceived they did. Results indicated graduate students preferred to spend more time on counseling and less time on case management than state—federal vocational rehabilitation counselors perceived they did. Graduate students were accurate in their estimates of the amount of time vocational rehabilitation counselors stated they spent on counseling and inaccurate in their estimates of time spent on case management. Implications for recruitment and retention of rehabilitation counseling graduate students are discussed.

Building Employment Training Partnerships Between Vocational Rehabilitation and Community Colleges

Lindstrom, L. E., Flannery, K. B., Benz, M. R., Olszewski, B., Slovic, R. — 2009-04-01

This article examined the implementation of an occupational skills training partnership developed between the Oregon Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and four local community colleges. Case study methods were used to describe the pattern of services provided to rehabilitation consumers and document the resulting changes in the community college and rehabilitation systems. Data were collected through individual and group interviews, document review, and written surveys. All consumers served in the case study sites received (a) orientation to the community college; (b) career exploration and planning; (c) individualized curriculum and customized training plans; (d) access to additional college services; (e) ongoing progress monitoring, support, and advocacy; and (f) exit planning and job placement services. Partnership services resulted in improved access to the community college and increased the ability of consumers with disabilities to successfully navigate the community college system.

Erratum

2009-04-01

Continuing Education Answer Sheet For Volume 52, No 3

2009-04-01

Continuing Education Questions: April 2009 -- Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin

2009-04-01

Prologue: Rehabilitation Counseling Credentialing: Research, Practice, and the Future of the Profession

Leahy, M. J. — 2008-12-04

Rehabilitation Counselor Education Accreditation: History, Structure, and Evolution

Shaw, L. R., Kuehn, M. D. — 2008-12-04

This review examines some of the critical factors that influenced the evolution of rehabilitation counselor education accreditation. The article discusses the history and structure of the accreditation process and the activities that have occurred to maintain the relevancy and viability of the process. Major issues that the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) has addressed in recent years are highlighted and examples are provided to illustrate the scope and importance of the accreditation process. Commentary is included to help the reader understand the issues that CORE will be addressing and the directions that may become priorities in the future.

Rehabilitation Counselor Certification: Moving Forward

Saunders, J. L., Barros-Bailey, M., Chapman, C., Nunez, P. — 2008-12-04

This article provides a brief history of the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification and presents recent changes and strategic goals for moving forward. Challenges and opportunities for the profession in relation to certification are also discussed.

Judgment Deferred: Reappraisal of Rehabilitation Counseling Movement Toward Licensure Parity

Tarvydas, V., Leahy, M. J., Zanskas, S. A. — 2008-12-04

Fifteen years have passed since an analysis of the position of rehabilitation counselors in the national counselor licensure movement by Tarvydas and Leahy. This article addresses the question of how well their efforts to achieve licensure parity with other counselors have fared. This question will be addressed by discussing (a) rehabilitation counseling developments that have influenced licensure progress, (b) shifts in the nature of professionalization and efforts toward rehabilitation counseling parity, and (c) counselor licensure trends and rehabilitation counseling status within them. Specific recommendations are provided that would assist the field of rehabilitation counseling in meeting the urgent challenges that confront them in consolidating its position in the maturing counselor licensure movement before it is further disadvantaged.

Essential Knowledge Domains Underlying Effective Rehabilitation Counseling Practice

Leahy, M. J., Muenzen, P., Saunders, J. L., Strauser, D. — 2008-12-04

The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the major knowledge domains required for rehabilitation counseling practice across settings in today's rapidly changing practice environment. Data obtained and analyzed from a recent national study by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) is reported and reviewed in detail. Specific implications for knowledge translation of the study's finding for practitioner certification and academic program accreditation are identified.

Rehabilitation Counseling in the Year 2011: Perceptions of Certified Rehabilitation Counselors

Barros-Bailey, M., Benshoff, J. J., Fischer, J. — 2008-12-04

In the 2006 Job Analysis of Certified Rehabilitation Counselors, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification asked counselors where they thought the profession would be in 5 years. A total of 529 counselors gave their opinions about the future of rehabilitation counseling within the context of the sociopolitical environment in which they practice, about general trends in the profession, and about how these might affect the sector in which they are employed. Perceptions included concerns about the aging workforce and client base, the role of assistive technology, counseling skill development to meet the needs of a more complex client population, funding resources, and licensure/certification issues. Implications of their answers within the emerging generational context were explored, as were ideas for future research.

Unifying and Elevating Rehabilitation Counseling Through Model-Driven, Diversity-Sensitive Evidence-Based Practice

Chan, F., Tarvydas, V., Blalock, K., Strauser, D., Atkins, B. J. — 2008-12-04

Rehabilitation counseling must embrace an evidence-based practice paradigm to remain a vital and respected member of the future community of professions in rehabilitation and mental health care and to fully discharge its responsibility to assist consumers in accessing effective rehabilitation interventions and exercising truly informed choice. The goals of this article are to (a) discuss the importance of using model-driven and culturally sensitive evidence-based rehabilitation counseling practices to enhance rehabilitation outcomes for people with disabilities, (b) highlight the needs for an integrative conceptual framework of disability that can be used to conduct systematic rehabilitation counseling research and to examine mediators and moderators affecting vocational rehabilitation outcomes, and (c) recommend changes in rehabilitation counseling practice, education, and research.

One Veteran Counselor's Take on the Future of Rehabilitation Counseling

McMahon, B. T. — 2008-12-04

One counselor argues that rehabilitation counseling has a bright future that will be better still if it recommits to vocational services, achieves organizational unity (not just coordination), remains true to its core values, and increases collaboration with cross-disability organizations.

Rehabilitation Counseling in the State or Federal Program: Is There a Future?

O'Brien, M., Graham, M. — 2008-12-04

Rehabilitation counseling has played a significant role in the public rehabilitation program since its inception. Rehabilitation educators have also been critical in this partnership. This article reviews current trends in the relationships between public rehabilitation agencies, university programs, accreditation bodies, and others to discuss future potential paths. Also reviewed are current expectations for skills and opportunities for rehabilitation counselors in the state/federal vocational rehabilitation programs. Opposing alternatives for how these relationships may affect the future of rehabilitation counseling practice are suggested.

Professional Identity and the Future of Rehabilitation Counseling

Patterson, J. B. — 2008-12-04

This article describes a vision of rehabilitation counseling, wherein both the profession of rehabilitation counseling and the diverse roles of rehabilitation counselors are recognized and valued by rehabilitation counselors, the general public, and other professionals in promoting social justice and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. Using parallels with psychology, this article describes opportunities and challenges related to the visibility and centrality of rehabilitation counseling in society. Marketing is a key element in moving rehabilitation counseling from a fringe activity to a central, well-known profession. Recommendations to make rehabilitation counseling central to society include rehabilitation professional associations and other constituencies (a) working together to market the profession, which can capitalize on the ever-expanding number of career opportunities for rehabilitation counselors and (b) leveraging resources for the common good while respecting our differences.

A Call for Integral Approaches in the Professional Identity of Rehabilitation Counseling: Three Specialty Areas, One Profession

Stebnicki, M. A. — 2008-12-04

There are multiple indicators that suggest there is a shift in the foundational principles and practices in rehabilitation counseling that have created professional identity concerns. These concerns relate to (a) philosophical differences in the role and function of rehabilitation counseling professionals, (b) professional counselor licensure laws mandating eligibility standards for practice, (c) a variety of professional counseling associations' divergent agendas for communicating the professional counselor's identity, and (d) perceptions and observations made by our colleagues from the other counseling specialty areas about our identity.

Continuing Education Answer Sheet For Volume 52, No 2

2008-12-04

Continuing Education Questions: January 2009 -- Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin

2008-12-04