Including graphic memoirs in counseling courses offers a creative approach to enhancing counselors-in-training’s (CITs) understanding of ableism and its harmful effects. While conceptual literature is abundant on the use of creative pedagogy in counselor education, there is limited empirical research on its impact on students. Even less research exists on how creative pedagogy influences CIT’s views on ableism. This pilot study is the first in counselor education to use quantitative data, comparing experimental and control groups, to evaluate the impact of a graphic memoir on reducing ableism among CITs.
People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) participate in regimented disease self-management and treatment. Midway through the COVID-19 pandemic (mid-pandemic; July-September 2020), health care disruptions were sustained. Learning how PwMS coped with sustained disruptions and adapted self-management is important for preparing for future public health crises. The aims were to describe PwMS during the mid-pandemic in two major areas: 1) their health care challenges and 2) their coping responses and self-management strategies. PwMS across the United States (N = 133) participated in a cross-sectional survey with closed-ended demographic and two open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were computed and content analysis was conducted to identify themes and compare frequencies. Major themes were health care service delivery changes (e.g., telehealth) and unimpacted/improved health care. PwMS also had trouble coping and experienced distress due to health care disruptions, social isolation, and national news. PwMS employed a variety of self-management strategies, such as COVID-19 prevention and physical activity. For rehabilitation counselors, it is crucial to customize services for PwMS, for example, assisting PwMS to find alternative health services, overcome barriers, and learn self-management strategies adapted to unique situations such as pandemics. During a public health crisis, it is important to provide tangible resources and feasible recommendations for PwMS to navigate health care delivery constraints and promote well-being.
Purpose/Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure of the functional subscale items of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) among Turkish cancer patients and its associations with perceived stress and community participation. Research Method/Design: A total of 186 Turkish cancer patients completed a demographic information form, the EORTC-QLQ-30, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Impact on Participation and Autonomy (IPA) scale. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), t -tests, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data. Results: The EFA results suggested a three-factor structure: mental, physical, and social and role functioning. Multitrait scaling analysis confirmed the extracted factor structure with item discrimination and convergence. All factors demonstrated good reliability. Mental, physical, and social and role functioning were significantly, but differentially, associated with perceived stress and community participation domains in the expected direction. Conclusions/Implications: The findings provide valuable insights into functioning and its related factors in a Turkish cancer population, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions, such as accommodations and counseling services, to improve the functioning levels of people with cancer in Turkey.
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) reduces the probability of employment, but little is known about work life expectancy (WLE) - how long people stay in the labor force, once employed. Our purpose was to identify relationships of postdisability education and employment factors with WLE among 1,250 SCI participants, all of whom had worked 12 months or more after SCI onset. We applied Cox survival analysis to identify the probability of departure from the labor force and WLE (higher probability of departure indicates lower WLE). Enhancing education post-SCI to a bachelor's or higher and having higher earnings were associated with greater WLE. Compared with for-profit employers, those working in not-for-profit, government, and self-employed/family business had a greater WLE. Compared with professional or managerial positions, a lower WLE was observed for service, sales/office, natural resources/construction, and production/transportation occupations. For SCI factors, older age at injury (over 50) was associated with lower WLE, while greater than 40 years duration of SCI and being ambulatory were associated with greater WLE. Non-Whites and Hispanics had lower WLE. In conclusion, vocational rehabilitation efforts should focus on advancing education post-SCI to at least a bachelor's degree, with optimal placement in professional or managerial jobs outside for-profit companies.
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience poor rates of competitive integrated employment (CIE). Understanding what policies and practices are used in high-performing states to promote CIE outcomes can help guide other states in how to allocate attention and resources. We used a Delphi method to survey policy and policy advocates in states with high rates of CIE for people with IDD to determine state and federal-level policies and practices that serve as facilitators and barriers to CIE outcomes within each state. Participating states included Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Vermont. The findings from this study pointed to several facilitators of CIE within these high-performing states, including those related to state policy implementation, state changes in service delivery, employer supports, and flexibility and collaboration among disability agency leaders. Findings also identified several barriers to CIE related to a lack of support for policy implementation, access to services, stakeholder involvement, service provision, disability stigma, transportation, and employer knowledge. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed.
