Rehabilitation Psychology

Inaugural editorial: Rehabilitation Psychology.
For over 50 years, Rehabilitation Psychology has helped highlight important issues experienced by the disability community. We are extremely excited to continue that legacy in our role as the journal’s first dual editors-in-chief, and we look forward to working with our associate editors, Kathleen Bogart and Daniel Klyce, our editorial fellows, and our large editorial board and ad hoc reviewer pool. In our tenure as the journal’s editors, we will focus heavily on (a) providing exceptional service, (b) emphasizing diversity and disability identity, (c) broadening the scope of the field, (d) promoting high-quality research standards, and (e) looking ahead. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Psychosocial factors associated with coping of inpatient stroke survivors and family caregivers: A dyadic analysis.
Purpose/Objective: Stroke survivors’ and their family caregivers’ (stroke dyads) coping during the inpatient period can affect their short- and long-term health and well-being. This study aimed to investigate whether survivors’ and caregivers’ psychosocial factors (i.e., depression, anxiety, family functioning, and mutuality) were associated with their own and their counterparts’ perceptions of family coping among inpatient stroke dyads. Research Method/Design: A cross-sectional design was adopted for this study which included 162 stroke dyads. Family coping, depression, anxiety, family functioning, and mutuality were measured using the Family Crisis-Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, General Functioning subscale of Family Assessment Device, and Mutuality Scale, respectively. The actor–partner interdependence model estimated by path analysis was performed for the dyadic data. Results: The results revealed that survivors’ own (depression: β = −0.337, p <.001) and their counterparts’ (caregivers’ anxiety: β = −0.220, p = .021) psychological symptoms were negatively associated with survivors’ perceptions of family coping, whereas none of them were associated with caregivers’ perceptions of family coping. Moreover, higher family functioning reported by the survivors (β = −0.375, p <.001) and family caregivers (β = −0.195, p = .029) were associated with better family coping perceived by both counterparts, respectively. Conclusions/Implications: This study highlights that stroke dyads’ psychosocial factors play a vital role in their perceptions of family coping. Future studies can be conducted to develop coping-focused interventions from the dyadic or family-oriented approach regarding psychosocial states as potential targets for inpatient stroke dyads. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Impact of amputation of the upper limb and prostheses on perceptions of competence, warmth, and functional abilities.
Purpose/Objectives: This study investigated attitudes that young adults have toward individuals with amputation of the upper limb (AUL). Previous studies have found that people tend to feel sympathy toward these individuals, but they are also perceived as less competent in various situations. However, it is unclear if these perceptions are influenced by factors such as the cause of amputation, the gender of the amputee, whether they use a prosthesis or not, or the type of prosthesis. Research Method/Design: The survey included 469 participants from a university in the Southeastern United States. Participants rated pictures of individuals with or without amputation, and with and without prostheses after reading a brief background scenario. Images were rated using a semantic differential for competence and warmth, and a scale of functional ability. Results: Factorial analysis of variances produced significant main effects indicating individuals with AULs who used prostheses were rated with higher competence and ability than individuals with AULs who did not use prostheses. Females were rated with lower competence and ability, and higher warmth regardless of AULs status. Higher ability ratings were obtained for individuals with advanced technology prostheses as compared to body-powered prostheses. Conclusions/Implications: Our research shows that people generally hold positive attitudes toward individuals with AUL when they use prostheses. However, traditional stereotypes persist for those who do not. Negative biases toward women should be accounted for in disability stigma studies. The cause of amputation did not influence ratings. Prostheses that appear to be advanced technology positively influenced ratings of functional ability when compared to traditional body-powered types. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Examining the roles of disability-related body esteem and perceived burdensomeness in suicidal ideation among adults with vision- and mobility-related disabilities.
Purpose/Objective: People with disabilities (PWD) generally exhibit an increased risk of suicidal ideation (SI) and behaviors. Underlying cognitive states, namely perceived burdensomeness, have been identified as a contributor to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in PWD. However, the role of body esteem in the development of SI in this population remains unexamined, despite its salience in other populations. In this study, we examined whether the interaction of perceived burdensomeness and body esteem contributed to the perceived likelihood of future SI among PWD, and whether this relationship was further moderated by disability type. Method: Participants included 119 adults with self-reported vision- and mobility-related disabilities who participated in a larger study focused on disability and suicide involving interviews and self-report measures. We examined the interaction between perceived burdensomeness and disability-related body esteem on self-reported likelihood of future SI and whether this interaction was further moderated by disability type (i.e., vision- or mobility-related disability). Results: Greater perceived burdensomeness was associated with a greater perceived likelihood of future SI only for participants with vision impairments and at low levels of body esteem. Conclusions/Implications: The combination of experiences of perceived burdensomeness and low body esteem may be particularly relevant to SI among people with vision-related versus mobility-related disabilities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Predicting physical activity for people with multiple sclerosis: The role of exercise-related cognitive errors.
Purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that is chronic, progressive characterized by symptoms of relapsing fatigue and pain. Despite evidence supporting the use of physical activity (PA) for MS symptom management, low rates of PA participation are observed. Previous research suggests exercise-related cognitive errors (ECEs) can deter and decrease PA participation. The purpose of this study was to examine whether ECEs and self-regulatory efficacy for MS symptom control predict important behavior-related outcomes for MS self-management (dependent variables: PA, maladaptive behavioral responses to illness, and perceived walking impairment). Method: Adults with MS (N = 110; aged 18 and over, with a patient-determined disease steps score of six or less) completed the following validated questionnaires: ECEs, MS symptom control self-efficacy, self-report moderate to vigorous physical activity, behavioral responses to illness, and perceived walking impairment. Results: ECEs significantly predicted behavioral responses to illness (β = .459, p <.01) and perceived walking impairment (β = .279, p <.01). The interaction between ECEs and self-regulatory efficacy significantly predicted all three dependent variables (βs ranged from .155 to .263, ps <.05). Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate associations between ECEs and different illness- and mobility-related perceptions for persons with MS. Findings suggested that self-regulatory efficacy to manage MS symptoms varied based on low, moderate, or high levels of ECEs. Disability status is not easily modifiable; targeting social cognitions, like self-regulatory efficacy or ECEs, may be a promising way to promote PA for MS self-management. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
A scoping review of research on potential impact of implicit bias in healthcare settings for children with acquired brain injuries.
Purpose/Objective: Acquired brain injury (ABI) is a leading cause of disability in children and adolescents. Implicit biases within pediatric ABI healthcare settings may exert negative effects on clinical interactions and medical decision-making processes. This study aimed to conduct a scoping review of current research that examines the potential impact of implicit biases in such healthcare settings for children with ABI. Research Method/Design: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a search among five databases (CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, PubMed, PsycArticles, and PsycInfo) was conducted, followed by abstract/full-text screening and data extraction. Main characteristics of the included studies, including research design, relevance to implicit biases, and public health impact were synthesized. The risk of bias of included studies was assessed. Results: Out of the 203 articles returned from the literature search, a total of three studies met the inclusion criteria for the present review. All studies examined the relevance of racial/ethnic biases for evaluating abusive head trauma or nonaccidental trauma. The included studies had an overall unclear to low risk of biases. Conclusions/Implications: This scoping review identified scarce but emerging evidence of the presence and detrimental impact of potential implicit biases on the access and quality of care received by children with ABI. More research is needed to examine the causes, process mechanisms, and consequences of implicit biases in pediatric ABI healthcare settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Latent profile analysis of the symptoms of depression and activities of daily living impairment among older adults.
Background: With the aging population, depressive symptoms and impaired Activities of Daily Living have increased medical costs and mortality, generating severe public health issues. This study reconsiders the potential classification of depressive symptoms and ADL impairment in older adults and identifies various factors that may affect classifications. Methods: This study focused on 6270 Chinese adults aged 65 years or older. We used latent profile analysis to explore depressive symptoms and ADL impairment (basic ADLs and instrumental ADLs) in various subgroups of older adults. We used Chi-square analysis and multivariate logistic regression to examine the determinants of depressive symptoms and ADL impairment among subgroups. Results: The study’s results classified older adults into three subgroups: those with high level depressive symptoms and BADLs and IADLs impairment, those with moderate level depressive symptoms and IADLs impairment, and those with no to low level depressive symptoms and without BADLs and IADLs impairment. Illiterate, having fallen in the past year, as well as having hearing difficulties all predicted high level depressive symptoms and severe BADLs and IADLs impairment. In contrast, regular exercise, contact with friends, playing cards/mahjong, participating in organized social activities, and visiting siblings predicted moderate level depressive symptoms and IADLs impairment. Conclusion: This paper discusses what is known about the various subgroups as well as the treatment of depressive symptoms and ADL impairment in older populations. It also gives policy and practice recommendations for the future that may help rehabilitate and maintain the mental health and ADLs independence of older adults. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Evaluation of online adaptive yoga for psychological well-being in adults with disabilities.
Purpose/Objective: The present study examined the preliminary effectiveness of an online, community-based adaptive yoga program on mindfulness, social connectedness, life satisfaction, and communicative participation. Research Method/Design: Adults (N = 48) were from a U.S. Midwest rehabilitation program and modally identified as White (73%), women (68%), and in their 30s (24%). One-third (35%) of participants were able to walk independently, and cerebral palsy was the most common primary disability diagnosis (32%). The 90-min adaptive yoga program and assessments were offered online weekly for 6 weeks, in which data from 29 participants across three sessions were included in the present analyses. Results: Regarding our primary outcome of interest, there was a statistically significant positive increase in mindfulness over time, F(1, 28) = 5.66, p = .02, with a strong effect size, d = 2.43. All secondary variables had statistically nonsignificant changes over time, although with large effect sizes: social connectedness (d = 0.77), life satisfaction (d = 0.92), and communicative participation (d = 0.40). Conclusions/Implications: The present study provides support for well-being programs for an underserved group; specifically, an online adaptive yoga program with routine outcome monitoring assessments has preliminary effectiveness in increasing mindfulness. Consideration of such well-being programs alongside insurance would be an important policy consideration. Further controlled research is necessary to draw decisive conclusions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Psychometric evaluation of the Symptom-Checklist-K-9 among U.S. working-age adults with psychiatric disabilities.
Purpose: The Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R; Derogatis, 1992) is a widely used self-report measure of psychiatric symptoms (Prinz et al., 2013), but it is longer than many screening measures used in certain settings. Recently, a nine-item form of the SCL-90-R, the Symptom-Checklist-K-9 (SCL-K-9), has been gaining traction despite the limited research examining its psychometric properties in the United States. The purpose of this study is to conduct a psychometric evaluation of the SCL-K-9 scores in U.S. working-age adults with psychiatric disabilities. Design: Six hundred and thirty participants with self-reported psychiatric disabilities completed the SCL-K-9 and other psychosocial self-report measures. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to evaluate the SCL-K-9 scores’ dimensionality. Coefficient omega was used to assess the scores’ internal consistency. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed by examining the strength and direction of correlation coefficients between the SCL-K-9 and other psychosocial measures. Measurement invariance across sex, age, and primary diagnostic groups was also examined. Results: CFA revealed a one-factor solution with satisfactory reliability (coefficient omega = .828). Convergent validity was supported by the relatively high correlation coefficients between the SCL-K-9 with neuroticism, self-stigma, and psychiatric disability acceptance, and discriminant validity by relatively low correlation coefficients with perceived social stigma and hope. Full measurement invariance for sex and partial invariance for diagnostic groups was supported. Conclusions: Overall, this study provides preliminary reliability and validity evidence for the SCL-K-9 scores among U.S. working-age adults with psychiatric disabilities. Further investigation is warranted to support its use for research and treatment progress monitoring in recovery-oriented care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Barriers to finding psychology postdoctoral training opportunities in intensive care settings.
Purpose/Objective: U.S. health organizations, including Division 22 of the American Psychological Association, the Society for Critical Care Medicine, and the American Thoracic Society advocate for psychological treatment that improves long-term outcomes in critical illness survivors. However, limited information exists with regard to psychology training opportunities in intensive care settings. We aim to identify and describe (a) existing psychology programs with training in intensive care settings and (b) barriers to finding these training opportunities. Research Method/Design: Using aspects of the Arksey and O’Malley Framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews reporting checklist as guides, two independent reviewers searched the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) Directory and Universal Psychology Postdoctoral Directory (UPPD) to identify programs with training experiences in intensive care settings. Results: Searching the APPIC Directory did not reliably or accurately identify training opportunities in intensive care settings. Thus, only programs identified in the more reliable UPPD search were considered for inclusion. After duplicates were removed, searches using the UPPD yielded 31 programs for review. Of those, 22 programs met inclusion, offering heterogeneous training in intensive care settings. Conclusions/Implications: These results suggest few opportunities exist for psychology training in intensive care settings and available opportunities are difficult to identify using standard search methods. The identified challenges also emphasize the need for advanced search features for training opportunities within APPIC/UPPD and/or a list of programs offering these training opportunities. Our results highlight the importance of program descriptions that accurately and comprehensively reflect training opportunities—particularly relating to opportunities in intensive care settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Evaluating the benefits of a second pain treatment following a clinical trial.
Objective: To examine the value of including an open label phase after a clinical trial of pain treatments by examining participant characteristics and potential benefits. Method: Secondary data analysis. Veterans with chronic pain who completed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, and pain education were invited to participate in an open label phase. Average and worst pain intensities, pain interference, and depression were assessed pre- and postopen label phase; global impressions of change and treatment satisfaction were assessed at postopen label phase only. Results: Of those who were offered the open label phase, 40% (n = 68) enrolled. Enrollees were likely to be older, to have attended more sessions in the RCT, to be satisfied with their first treatment, and to perceive improvement in their ability to manage pain after the RCT. In the open label phase, depression and worst pain decreased across all three treatment conditions. No other improvements were observed. However, most Veterans perceived improvements in pain intensity, ability to manage pain, and pain interference, and were satisfied with the second intervention. Conclusions: There appears to be some value to adding an open label phase to the end of a trial of pain treatments. A substantial portion of study participants elected to participate and reported it to be beneficial. Exploring data from an open label phase can illuminate important aspects of patient experience, barriers to and facilitators of care, as well as treatment preferences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

Rehabilitation Psychology - Vol 69, Iss 1