Peter Foreman

The development of a locus of control measure predictive of injured athletes' adherence to treatment

The Sports Rehabilitation Locus of Control (SRLC) scale was developed to facilitate study of the behaviour of athletes recovering from injury. The SRLC was built specifically to assess locus of control in injured athletes by adapting selected items from the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) questionnaire developed by Wallston, Wallston, & DeVellis (1978), and in accordance with their rationale for the construction of domain-specific LOC scales. The resultant locus of control measures (internal, powerful others, and chance) were administered (along with the MHLC) to a sample of 145 sports-injured athletes. Good internal consistency (alphas ranged from .72 to .79) and test-retest reliability (correlations ranged from .75 to .85) was shown by the SRLC scales, and the pattern of inter-scale correlations supported the three-factor conceptualisation of locus of control on which the SRLC was based. In the subsequent initial validation study, the relationship between SRLC scale scores and adherence to treatment was tested with a sample of injured athletes. Encouragingly, internality was positively associated p<.05 with treatment adherence.

Social and Health Factors Affecting Community Service Use by Vulnerable Older People

Abstract This article reports on Outcomes for older people with complex or chronic care needs, a study undertaken by the Brotherhood of St Laurence and La Trobe University, examining older Victorians’ use of community services following Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) recommendations that they remain living at home. The paper reports on interviews with older people and carers undertaken at three-monthly intervals, over 12 months. This paper contributes to understanding the factors that impede or facilitate uptake of community aged care services that are critical to meeting the needs of older people and their carers. The study found that among other factors social isolation, high carer burden, and the older person reporting low mood were important barriers to service uptake. Cost, waiting lists, and service satisfaction were also identified in qualitative data as influencing factors. The study concludes there is a need for better means of identifying and supporting older people and carers at risk to improve community service uptake.

Differences in the organizational behaviour beliefs held by Australian employer representatives and health professionals involved in occupational rehabilitation: implications for workplace disability management

This paper compares the organizational behaviour beliefs of two parties involved in the management of employees following work injury: (a) managers: and (b) rehabilitation professionals. Significant differences in beliefs about appropriate organizational behaviour were identified when managers and rehabilitation professionals were asked to express their beliefs on a comprehensive set of organizational behaviour topics, ranging from effective supervision to motivating worli performance. The impications of these results for the workplace management of employees who return to work following occupational injury are discussed and some suggestions are made which may assist those attempting to implement an effective workplace disability management system.

Paraplegia, Quadriplegia and Employment in Australia

The educational and vocational achievements of a sample of Australians with spinal cord injuries are described in this study. Of the 180 working-age people surveyed, 36% were holding full-time or part-time employment at the time of the survey and one-third had gone on to obtain further qualifications post-injury. The most frequent methods of finding a job post-injury were informal rather than formal, with only 5% of jobs gained through advertisements or employment services. Of those who gained work, 49% did so within 12 months of discharge, but another 14% obtained their job more than five years after initial hospital discharge. The results indicate that there is considerable scope for employment and education achievements following spinal cord injury.

The Post-Amputation Rehabilitation Experience of People Living in Rural Settings

This paper reports the results from a qualitative study aimed at identifying the factors influencing the rehabilitation experience of people living with an amputation in a rural setting. Following the conduct of an initial focus group, 24 rural-based individuals responded to an invitation to participate in the studys in-depth interviews. Fourteen of those interviewed lived in a ‘regional’ setting (the regional group) and the other ten lived in more remote locations (the ‘distant’ group). Consistent with this populations demography, the sample was comprised mainly of older people (mean age of 66.8 years) who had suffered their amputation as a result of vascular disease. While the groups differed with respect to two aspects of their rehabilitation experience (with the distant group reporting more problems with accommodation and access to health services), many common themes emerged from the interviews, including an overall positive acceptance of the surgical intervention, the call for increased post-operative counselling services, and an endorsement of the usefulness of peer-support (and more generally of social support) services. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for service delivery and endorsement is made of the suggestion that rural health planning be more community-focussed.

Back Injuries Among Nurses: Prevalence, Risk-factors and Prevention

Rehabilitation counsellors have long been interested in back injuries among at-risk occupational groups such as nurses. Back injuries have a high prevalence among nurses, with enormous financial costs being incurred by health agencies and governments. Consequently the prevention of back injuries is a high priority for all concerned. Following a discussion of prevalence studies and risk factors for back injuries, we selectively review research on the effectiveness of multi-component (education and exercises) preventive programs designed specifically for nurses. While there is some empirical support for preventive programs, research in the area is still in its infancy. Looking at the broader picture, we conclude that preventive efforts must ultimately address the design of the workplace and the availability of proper equipment. Importantly, nursing unions and governments are moving towards “no lifting” policies and re-organisation of work practices. For effective rehabilitation, though, of those who do suffer back injuries, the adoption of a Workplace Disability Management approach (rather the traditional OH&S and return to work services provided by health and rehabilitation professionals) is advocated.