Same- and cross-gender attitudes toward persons with physical disabilities.

Used the Disability Factor Scale-General (DFS-G) of J. Siller et al (1967) to measure 147 male and 139 female 11th-graders' attitudes toward persons with physical disabilities. A subgroup of Ss responded to a specially prepared version of the DFS-G that referred to males with disabilities, while a 2nd subgroup responded to a 2nd version of the questionnaire that referred to females with disabilities. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed, with scores on the 6 attitude scales of the DFS-G as the dependent variables. The 2 independent variables were Ss' gender and the sex of the person with the disability. Attitudes toward females with disabilities were less positive than attitudes toward males with disabilities. These less positive attitudes were expressed more by boys than by girls. Findings support the theoretical assumption that being disabled and female represents a double minority status. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gaining control: family members relate to persons with severe mental illness

Nine isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) collected in a Warsaw hospital in 1996 were typed by phenotypic (resistograms) and genotypic (PFGE and plasmid restriction analysis-REAP) methods. Twenty-four (MRSA) strains collected in this hospital during a period of the same duration in 1992 and typed earlier using resistograms and PFGE were also typed by REAP. Comparison of typing results obtained for isolates from 1992 and 1996 showed that strains characterised by PFGE patterns of two distinct types described as specific of the two clonally related groups of Polish MRSA in a multicentre study in 1992 are continuously present in the hospital. However, MRSA strains representing PFGE patterns not observed before were also found within the collection from 1996. REAP typing has proved to have a discriminatory power similar to that of PFGE analysis. Nevertheless, due to the lack of plasmids or difficulties in plasmid DNA isolation in 3 out of 33 studied strains, the typability of REAP turned out to be lower than that of PFGE.     

Problem-solving appraisal and the effects of social support among college students and persons with physical disabilities.

Tested the hypothesis that the appraisal of one's own ability to solve problems would moderate the effects of social support among 2 distinct samples. In the 1st study, college students completed measures of depression, problem-solving appraisal, and social support. Although both predictor variables were significantly associated with depression, the 2 did not significantly interact in the prediction of depression. In the 2nd study, persons who had sustained severe physical disabilities completed the same independent measures and questionnaires of depression and psychosocial impairment. Problem-solving appraisal and social support were predictive of both criterion variables. The 2 independent variables significantly interacted in the prediction of psychosocial functioning. Results are discussed as they pertain to the effects of social support, with particular focus on persons who may have a higher frequency of contact with institutionalized and formal sources of support. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapeutic issues for the learning disabled adult.

Discusses previously held misconceptions about learning disabilities in childhood and their effects on subsequent adolescent and adult development. As a result of these misconceptions, learning disabled children were often told at the time of diagnosis that they were likely to spontaneously outgrow their affliction before reaching adulthood. Follow-up studies have shown this not to be true, and many adults are now presenting with a variety of emotional problems either directly or indirectly related to their learning disabilities. Obstacles to the development of normal interpersonal relationships at school and in the family are described. The effects of this impaired development on adult functioning and the types of problems that typically result are outlined. Modifications of traditional psychotherapy techniques that have helped to assure successful treatment of this type of patient and the case example of an 18-yr-old learning disabled male are presented. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anticipating evaluative social interactions involving persons with disabilities.

Purpose: Similar to other types of social interactions, the expected outcomes of interactions between persons with and without disabilities likely are influenced by global self-esteem such that individuals with high self-esteem should fare better than those with low self-esteem. The present set of laboratory studies examined whether simple and complex evaluative situations affect the role of self-esteem when anticipating interactions with individuals who have a physical disability. Design: In Study 1, participants completed a measure of global self-esteem and then were randomly assigned to expect either a brief (5 minutes) or extended (45 minutes) interaction with a confederate in a wheelchair. Participants then completed measures of state affect and meta-evaluations (expected evaluations from the partner). Study 2 replicated the design of Study 1 and additionally randomly assigned participants to be outcome-dependent on the partner or not. Results: Study 1 found that individuals reported affective experiences and expected meta-evaluations that were consistent with global self-esteem when expecting a brief interaction but not an extended interaction with the partner. Study 2 replicated and extended the results from Study 1, demonstrating that self-esteem resumed a priority when participants expected an extended interaction that also placed the participant in an outcome-dependent role. Implications: Taken together, the results seem to support a dilution of the role of self-esteem in simple evaluative situations but not in situations that are nonevaluative or situations with combined evaluative factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sexual abuse treatment for persons with developmental disabilities.

Recent research by the Sexual Abuse and Disability Project at the University of Alberta included a survey of 119 sexual abuse (SA) victims with developmental disabilities (DDs). Their responses indicated that SA treatment services for people with DDs are typically inaccessible, unavailable, and inappropriate. Inadequate treatment services appear to be due to the paucity of qualified professionals in the area of SA and DDs coupled with the slow development of appropriate SA treatment approaches. The application of adapted therapy approaches for people with DDs and examples of adapted SA treatment for children and women abused as children are presented. SA treatment issues for the developmentally disabled are discussed for practitioners' considerations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prenatal screening and its impact on persons with disabilities

Autoradiographic techniques using the radiolabeled glucose analog [14C]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) were used to map the functional activity in the CNS during drinking behavior. Rats were trained to drink water during a 1-h session each day. Half of the rats were injected with FDG and allowed to drink, while the other half were satiated prior to FDG injection. Uptake of FDG for drinking and control groups of rats was quantified in 60 brain structures from frontal cortex to cervical spinal cord. The largest percent increase in activity (96%) during drinking was in the lateral hypothalamus. Limbic structures with significant metabolic increases included the lateral septum (48%), lateral habenula (44%), and nucleus accumbens (32%). Thalamic nuclei activated included intralaminar (60%), zona incerta (51%), ventroposteromedial (50%), anterior ventral (47%), and dorsal medial (40%). Other structures with increases were the caudal caudate nucleus (53%) and the spinal trigeminal nucleus (45%). The findings were interpreted in light of related metabolic mapping studies of the effects of orofacial stimulation, dehydration, ingestion, arousal, and reward. It was concluded that this FDG study revealed primarily the involvement of structures linked to rewarding and arousal components of motivated drinking behavior, as well as sensorimotor correlates of the orofacial stimulation. The findings provide the first comprehensive functional map of brain systems related to drinking behavior in adult animals.     

The use of microwave ovens by elderly persons with disabilities

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effectiveness of microwave ovens in assisting elderly persons with disabilities with cooking food. METHOD: The participants were five elderly persons who had gross motor, fine motor, or vision impairments but no cognitive impairments. Before the study, none of the participants owned or operated a microwave oven. In this single-subject design of four phases (ABAB), training in microwave oven use was provided between the first A (baseline) and first B (intervention) phases. Participants had access so the microwave oven in their homes only during the B phases. Each phase lasted for 3 weeks, for a total of 12 weeks. The frequency of using cooking appliances, the number of food items prepared, and the time spent preparing meals were recorded through daily self-reports. RESULTS: All participants showed an increase in the frequency of using cooking appliances for at least one of the two B phases, although they showed different patterns. The number of food items prepared increased in the B phases, except for two participants who were ill. With the introduction of the microwave oven, time spent preparing meals decreased for all five participants, and their participation in meal preparation increased. Although not measured as a study variable, results suggest that the quality of diet also improved with microwave oven use. CONCLUSION: Occupational therapy practitioners who serve elderly clients might consider recommending microwave ovens for those who do not have cognitive impairments but who are having difficulty with cooking because of vision impairments or physical disabilities.     

Psychotherapeutic interventions in physical health: Unexpected opportunities.

Agrees with M. E. Olbrisch's (1977) theses on the effectiveness and economic efficiency of psychotherapeutic interventions in physical health. A study of alcoholics is described that found less improvement in physical well-being, compared with interpersonal relations and emotional stability, during abstinence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychometric testing and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.

Addresses the legal and psychometric issues related to nondiscrimination in employment testing for persons who have disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and psychometric literature on nondiscriminatory testing have introduced and extended the concept from the federal government to the private sector. The comparability of results on the Scholastic Aptitude Test and Graduate Record Examinations, when accommodations are made in the testing process for persons with hearing, vision, and physical impairments and learning disabilities, were examined by the Educational Testing Service and reported by W. W. Willingham et al (1988). Test timing appears to be the critical accommodation for these tests. Testing accommodations are discussed in terms of testing medium, time limits, and test content. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Romantic attachment in individuals with physical disabilities.

Objective: To examine the relationship between adult attachment style and physical disability in intimate romantic relationships. Method: Participants were 50 individuals with adult-onset spinal cord injuries (SCI) and 50 individuals with congenital disabilities (CON) living in the community. The main outcome measures were adult attachment style and dyadic relationship adjustment. Results: Participants with SCI and CON did not differ in rates of secure versus insecure attachment, and the rates of neither group differed significantly from rates reported for persons without disability. Dyadic adjustment was clearly predicted by attachment variables and differed between the participants with SCI and those with CON; individuals with SCI reported greater total dyadic adjustment. Avoidance showed a strong negative association with dyadic satisfaction, but no association was found with dyadic cohesion. Social participation variables were associated with dyadic adjustment. For instance, mobility was positively associated with dyadic satisfaction. Conclusions: Dyadic adjustment in people with disabilities, as in other groups, is affected by attachment style, but disability and social participation variables may also affect dyadic adjustment. Clinicians should consider differences in attachment styles among persons with disabilities and their implications for intimate close relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

When do health care decisions discriminate against persons with disabilities?

Recent interpretations of laws prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities indicate that these laws will play a greater role in health care decision making than previously anticipated. This article employs lessons from other areas of antidiscrimination law to examine these developments and to provide a framework for making health care decisions that are consistent with these new legal interpretations. This article addresses decisions in individual cases, treatment policies adopted by health care providers, and coverage programs of third-party payers, both public and private.     

Developing family counseling interventions for adults with episodic neurological disabilities: Presenting problems, persons involved, and problem severity.

Adults with episodic neurological disabilities (e.g., epilepsy) and their families are likely to encounter a number of psychosocial difficulties for which family counseling is sought. Although previous research has identified broad categories of family difficulties, we continue to lack basic information about the specific types, range, and severity of these family problems. Furthermore, we have only limited knowledge about the relationships among the specific types of problems, family background characteristics, and the family members involved in specific problems. The primary objectives of the study were to determine (a) the kinds of problems reported by adults with episodic neurological disabilities (n?=?25) and their families (n?=?34) in counseling, (b) the relationships between types of problems and demographic/medical factors, (c) the family problems reported in counseling that are most severe, and (d) members of the family system and significant others in the community who are involved in specific problems. The findings provide valuable information for designing family counseling interventions for this population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Protection and advocacy system standing--to vindicate the rights of persons with disabilities

A characteristic of perinatal encephalopathies are the distinct patterns of neuronal and glial cell loss. Cerebral hypoperfusion is thought to be a major cause of these lesions. Gestational age is likely to influence outcome. This study compares the cortical electrophysiologic and histopathologic responses to hypoperfusion injury between preterm and near term fetuses. Chronically instrumented 0.65 (93-99-d, n = 9) and 0.9 (119-133-d, n = 6) gestation fetal sheep underwent 30 min of cerebral hypoperfusion injury. The parasagittal cortical EEG and impedance (measure of cytotoxic edema) responses plus histologic outcome (3 d) were compared. The acute rise in impedance was similar in amplitude, but the onset was delayed (5.0 +/- 0.7 versus 9.1 +/- 1.1 min, p < 0.05) in the preterm fetuses relative to those near term. In contrast the extent of the secondary rise was reduced (p < 0.01) and peaked earlier in the preterm fetuses (19.8 +/- 1.0 versus 40.5 +/- 3.5 h, p < 0.01). Both groups had a similar fall in EEG spectral edge frequency. The preterm fetuses had a milder loss of EEG intensity at 72 h (-7.7 +/- 1.5 versus -12.8 +/- 0.9 dB, p < 0.05). At both ages there was a predominantly parasagittal cortical distribution of damage with a similar pattern of neuronal loss in the thalamus and striatum. There was extensive selective neuronal loss within the upper layers of the cortex in those near term. In contrast the preterm fetuses developed subcortical infarcts (p < 0.05). The cortical response to injury altered during the last trimester. The results suggest the severity of the delayed phase of cortical neuronal injury and selective neuronal loss increased near term. In contrast, the preterm fetuses had a more rapidly evolving injury leading to necrosis of the subcortical white matter.     

Neuropsychological assessment and the rehabilitation of persons with severe psychiatric disabilities.

Discusses barriers facing psychologists seeking appropriate testing material for use with persons with severe psychiatric disability (SPD), including lack of knowledge, understanding the meaning of impairment, and the need for individual testing and qualitative observations. A test protocol is offered, and findings from the author's practice are presented. Results reveal combinations of cognitive defects among persons with SPD and suggest that practical knowledge is crucial to the success of rehabilitation. The applicability of cognitive rehabilitation measures for persons who are brain-injured is discussed, and it is argued that such measures can contribute significantly to the rehabilitation of patients with SPD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Use of technology by people with physical disabilities in Australia

PURPOSE: This study aimed to quantify the extent to which computers and assistive devices were being used by people with physical disabilities and the levels of computer training being undertaken by this group. METHOD: With the help of Queensland disability associations a written survey was distributed to people over 15 years in age with physical disabilities living in the greater Brisbane metropolitan area. Responses were received from 82 people (comprising spinal cord injuries (n = 71), cerebral palsy (n = 8), muscular dystrophy (n = 3)). RESULTS: Indicate that 60% of respondents were computer users, while only 15 respondents used assistive devices. Computer ability was correlated to age and time of disability onset. Respondents with quadriplegia had higher levels of computer ability than those with paraplegia. The study indicates that while many people with disabilities have used computers and assistive devices, many have not. CONCLUSIONS: The low rate of assistive device use by people with high-level quadriplegia is of concern. This study suggests that increased levels of training in the use of computers and assistive devices needs to be provided to people with physical disabilities.     

Accelerating entry into supported employment for persons with severe psychiatric disabilities.

Tested the hypothesis that Ss with severe mental illnesses would achieve better vocational outcomes with an accelerated approach to supported employment (AASE), as compared to gradual approaches (GA) with prevocational training. 86 Ss (mean age 35.1 yrs) with a diagnosis of a serious mental illness, were randomly assigned to either the AASE, or the GA, which included a minimum of 4 mo prevocational training. Data were obtained on indicators of vocational outcomes over 2 yrs, and for a limited number of Ss (n=36), during the 4th yr of inception into the program. Initially, only 5% of Ss preferred prevocational training. After 1 yr, AASE Ss showed better outcomes for a range of indicators, including achievement of competitive employment, duration of employment and mean earnings. During the 4th yr, 59% of these Ss were competitively employed, as compared to only 6% of GA Ss. Rehabilitation is more effective using AASE than GA. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)