Eun-Jeong Lee

Demand-Side Factors Related to Employment of People with Disabilities: A Survey of Employers in the Midwest Region of the United States

Introduction Traditional vocational services ignore variables related to employer demands and the interaction of employer demand and the environment) as predictors of employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Recently, rehabilitation researchers have begun to advocate for the use of demand-side employment models to help people with disabilities obtain and retain employment. Aim To examine demand-side employment factors that may influence hiring and retention of people with physical disabilities. Method One hundred and thirty two human resources (HR) managers and line managers were surveyed and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression and correlation analysis. Results Managers rated people with disabilities’ productivity and reliability between the neutral and agree range. Managers were neutral about their own knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and job accommodation and were similarly neutral about their company’s effort to include disability in the company’s diversity efforts. Hiring efforts were associated with the company’s diversity climate and inclusion of disability in diversity efforts. A hierarchical regression was conducted with results indicating that the demand side factors accounted for a significant portion of the variance in commitment to hire; knowledge of ADA and job accommodation and inclusion of disability in diversity efforts were found to be significantly associated with commitment of the company to hire people with disabilities. Conclusions HR and hiring managers in the current study were not overly enthusiastic about people with disabilities as reliable and productive employees. ADA and job accommodations training might improve these managers’ attitudes toward people with disabilities. Intervention at the senior management level should focus on changing company policies to include disability as part of the company’s diversity efforts.

Structural Equation Modeling in Rehabilitation Counseling Research

Structural equation modeling (SEM) has become increasingly popular in counseling, psychology, and rehabilitation research. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the basic concepts and applications of SEM in rehabilitation counseling research using the AMOS statistical software program.

Introduction to Demand-Side Factors Related to Employment of People with Disabilities

Introduction Demand-side employment research can play an important role in advancing the knowledge base of occupational rehabilitation. Research contributes to theory building and provides the foundation for empirically supported interventions that can improve the return-to-work success of injured workers and/or the overall labor force participation rate of people with disabilities. Methods In this article, we present our rationale for developing this special section on demand-side factors related to employment of people with chronic illness and disability. We discuss the important relationship between employer practice factors and hiring and retention of people with chronic illness and disability. We highlight in this paper some of the exciting new findings reported in the articles contained in this special section as well as some recent demand-side employment and disability research. Conclusion We intend for this special section to stimulate thinking and discussion about Incorporating demand-side strategies in vocational rehabilitation and return-to-work interventions for people with disabilities and work injuries.

Dimensionality of the Contact with Disabled Persons Scale: Results from Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses.

The purpose of this study was to examine the dimensionality of the Contact With Disabled Persons Scale (CDP). An exploratory factor analysis of the CDP yielded three factors: General Interpersonal Contacts, Positive Contact Experiences, and Negative Contact Experiences. A confirmatory factor analysis provided further evidence for the stability and generalizability of this three-factor solution. The CDP factors were also analyzed in the predicted directions, with several attitude measures, other psychosocial instruments, and a set of demographic variables. A discussion of how this scale can be used in attitudes toward disability research is provided.

Catastrophizing as a cognitive vulnerability factor related to depression in workers' compensation patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of catastrophizing as a mediator and moderator between life stress and depression in a sample of workers’ compensation patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Pain intensity, life stress (especially work and financial stress), and catastrophizing contributed significantly to depression. Catastrophizing was found to be partially mediating the relationship between life stress and depression and a moderator between social stress and depression. The results supported the role of catastrophizing as a cognitive vulnerability-stress factor related to depression in chronic pain patients. Screening for life stress and intervening early to prevent catastrophizing from occurring in the workers’ compensation rehabilitation process may reduce psychosocial distress and enhance the overall effectiveness of rehabilitation programming for workers’ compensation patients with chronic pain.

Vocational rehabilitation services and employment outcomes for adults with cerebral palsy in the United States

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between vocational rehabilitation services provided and work outcomes among people with cerebral palsy (CP), taking in to account demographic characteristics.

Exercise, Diet, and Stress Management as Mediators between Functional Disability and Health-Related Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis.

The main objective of this study was to examine the mediational and moderational effect of exercise, diet, and stress management on the relationship between functional disability and health-related quality of life. Quantitative descriptive research design using multiple regression and correlation techniques was used. Participants were 215 individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Outcome measure used was health-related quality of life as measured by the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12v2). Functional disability and health-promoting behaviors including exercise, diet, and stress management were found to be associated with health-related quality of life. Exercise and stress management (but not diet) were partial mediators between functional disability and health-related quality of life. Exercise was found to be a moderator between functional disability and health-related quality of life. Exercise had a stronger effect on health-related quality of life for individuals with lower functional disability than people with higher functional disability. Health-promoting behaviors are important for health-related quality of life, and health-related quality of life in turn is related to better employment outcomes. Health-promoting behaviors can also mediate the relationship between functional disability and health-related quality of life. Rehabilitation counselors should consider including health promotion interventions in vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with MS.

The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale as a Positive Psychology Measure for People with Spinal Cord Injuries.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the measurement structure of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) as a positive psychology measure for people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) using confirmatory factor analysis. The participants consisted of 274 Canadians with SCI living in the community. The result indicated that the 5-factor intercorrelated model fits the data reasonably well (χ2 = 635.20; p value < .001; χ2/df = 2.40; CFI = .90; RMSEA = 0.07). These 5 factors (personal competence, high standards, and tenacity; trust in one’s instincts, tolerance of negative affect, and strengthening effects of stress; positive acceptance of change and secure relationships; control; and spiritual influence) correlated positively with disability acceptance and happiness, and inversely related to depression. The reliability of the 5 subscales was good ranging from .65 to .92. In conclusion, the results of this study confirmed that the 5-factor structure of the CD-RISC observed in the general population can be replicated in a sample of Canadians with SCI. This resilience scale can be used as a positive psychology measure in rehabilitation counseling research and practice.

How Stigma Affects the Lives of People with Intellectual Disabilities: An Overview

Throughout the world, children and adults with intellectual disabilities face social exclusion, marginalization, discrimination, and abuse. This chapter provides an overview of the effects of stigma in perpetuating social inequalities and violating the basic human rights of people with intellectual disabilities. The impact of stigma on a number of life domains associated with well-being and quality of life are addressed, including poverty, safety, education, employment, community integration and participation, health, intimate relationships and reproductive rights, and self-determination. Continued research efforts are needed to more fully understand the effects of stigma across these domains.

Gender differences in caregiver strain, needs for support, social support, and quality of life among spousal caregivers of persons with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND Caregivers of individuals with MS may experience unique caregiver strain due to the age at onset and progressive nature of the disease. Additionally, because MS is more prevalent in women, men often become spousal caregivers. However, gender differences in psychosocial adjustment among caregivers have not been fully explored. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to explore gender differences in the need for various supports and type of social support needed, caregiver strain, and quality of life among caregivers for individuals with MS. METHODS 106 caregivers participated in this study. Independent sample t-tests and multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine gender differences in strain, need for supports, social support, and quality of life. RESULTS Analyses revealed gender difference among important psychosocial variables. Specifically, women reported higher levels of caregiver strain, higher needs for emotional support, and higher perceived social support. Additionally, multiple regression analyses revealed an inverse relationship between expressed emotional needs and quality of life for men, but not for women. CONCLUSIONS MS caregivers experience significant strain that diminishes quality of life. Social support and needs fulfillment can act to buffer this stress; however, results indicate that this varies by gender, with gender differences observed in strain, perceived support, and expressed needs among MS caregivers. The study implications for rehabilitation research are discussed.