Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 52, issue 2

Authors: Strauser, David R. | Rumrill, Stuart P. | Rumrill Jr , Phillip D. | Greco, Chelsea E. | Wagner, Stacia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Four employed young adults who survived brain cancer participated in an evaluation of barriers to their continued employment and career development. METHOD: A trained interviewer completed the Work Experience Survey (WES) in teleconsultation sessions with each participant to identify his or her: (a) barriers to worksite accessibility, (b) difficulties performing essential functions of his or her job, (c) concerns regarding job mastery, and (d) extent of job satisfaction. RESULTS: Resulting largely from the medical and psychosocial sequelae of their illnesses (especially cognitive and mobility impairments), participants reported a wide range of difficulties in performing essential …functions of their jobs (5 to 19) that have the potential to significantly affect their productivity. Job mastery problems reflected outcomes associated with cancer such as ‘believing that others think I do a good job’ and ‘having the resources (e.g., knowledge, tools, supplies, and equipment) needed to do the job.’ Other job mastery concerns reflected idiosyncratic aspects of a specific job setting such as ‘being able to speak with my supervisor about promotion.’ CONCLUSIONS: Although all four participants expressed a strong desire to continue and advance in their careers, they reported significant barriers to job satisfaction that must be addressed in order for that to happen. The interviewer concluded the WES interview by recommending a job accommodation plan, which included suggestions from Job Accommodation Network (JAN) consultants. IMPLICATIONS: The WES can be used in psychosocial treatment planning to offer guidelines for young adult CNS survivors to follow in requesting job modifications and assistive technology to improve career development and employment outcomes. Show more

Keywords: Work Experience Survey, young adults, brain cancer

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191070

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 123-135, 2020

Authors: Lee, Beatrice | Pfaller, Joseph | Iwanaga, Kanako | Chen, Xiangli | Wu, Jia-Rung | Chan, Fong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: People living with multiple sclerosis (MS) have to cope with many emotional, physical, social, and practical challenges associated with their chronic health condition on a daily basis. These daily challenges, by their chronic and accumulating nature, can cause considerable psychosocial stress and affect quality of life (QOL). Core-self evaluations (CSE) is a higher order positive psychology construct that has been described as a protective factor for psychological stress in people with chronic health conditions and disabilities. It is also positively associated with life satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the mediation effect of CSE on the relationship between …stress and QOL in women with MS. RESULTS: Results revealed that stress was negatively associated with CSE and QOL. Conversely, CSE was positively correlated with QOL. In fact, CSE served as a mediator between stress and QOL, suggesting that higher levels of CSE can buffer the negative impact of stress on QOL. CONCLUSION: Findings provide support for rehabilitation counselors to integrate CSE into the rehabilitation process and facilitate CSE development, which can help clients with MS better cope with their daily hassles and stressors to improve functioning and well-being, leading to higher QOL. Show more

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, stress, core self-evaluations, quality of life

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191066

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 137-144, 2020

Authors: Kaya, Cahit | Leslie, Mykal | McDaniels, Bradley | Cuevas, Sergio | Wu, Hu | Rumrill, Phillip | Wehman, Paul | Chan, Fong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: This study investigated the extent to which demographic characteristics, receipt of Social Security benefits, and vocational rehabilitation (VR) services influence competitive employment outcomes for people with Parkinson’s Disease who were unemployed at the time they enrolled in the state-federal Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. METHOD: The Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Case Service Report (RSA-911) database for Fiscal Year 2014 was examined using a purposeful selection logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Results indicated that participants who received on-the-job support (both short-term and long-term), job placement, maintenance, and college or university tuition assistance from the VR program were significantly more …likely to achieve competitive employment than were participants who did not receive those services. Participants who received assessment services were less likely to achieve competitive employment than were those who did not receive assessment services. In addition, receiving a greater number of VR services over a shorter period of time and not receiving Social Security disability benefits were positively associated with competitive employment outcomes. CONCLUSION: Overall, the number and type of VR services received had more influence on competitive employment outcomes than did client demographic variables. Show more

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, vocational rehabilitation, employment outcome, supported employment, rehabilitation services administration

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191065

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 145-156, 2020

Authors: Moser, Erin | Chan, Fong | Berven, Norman L. | Bezyak, Jill | Iwanaga, Kanako | Umucu, Emre

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Transition from adolescence to young adulthood (ages 18– 35 years) can be particularly difficult for people with epilepsy as they have to cope with stressors and challenges associated with independent living, postsecondary education, healthcare, social relationships, and employment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate constructs based on Kumpfer’s resilience framework model as predictors of life satisfaction in young adults with epilepsy. METHOD: 194 young adults with epilepsy participated in the present study. A hierarchical regression analysis (HRA) was conducted to answer the research questions. RESULTS: HRA results indicated that variables in Kumpfer’s resilience framework model significantly …predicted life satisfaction of young adults with epilepsy, R 2  = 0.71, f 2  = 2.45, which is a very large effect size. Family support, friends support, secure attachment, core self-evaluations, and trait resilience were found to contribute significantly to the variation in life satisfaction scores after controlling for the effect of other variables in the HRA model. CONCLUSION: Findings of the present study strongly support the validity of Kumpfer’s (1999) resilience framework model, particularly the important roles of person-environment factors in predicting life satisfaction of young adults with epilepsy. This model approach to defining resilience can be used by rehabilitation counselors in case conceptualization, assessment, planning, and counseling. Show more

Keywords: Young adults, epilepsy, life satisfaction, resilience

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191067

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 157-171, 2020

Authors: Rumrill Jr., Phillip D. | Wu, Rongxiu | Goldstein, Penina | Adams, Chithra | Sheppard-Jones, Kathleen | Lee, Beatrice | Bishop, Malachy | Tansey, Timothy N. | Minton, Deborah L. | Leslie, Mykal J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This article provides descriptive findings from a sub-sample of 143 female African Americans with multiple sclerosis (MS) who responded to a national survey of the employment concerns of Americans with MS. Respondents evaluated 38 employment concerns items on two dimensions, importance and satisfaction, for the purpose of identifying strengths and weaknesses in the employment policies and practices affecting the labor force participation of African American women with MS. RESULTS: Results revealed a unique “strength and weakness” profile of African American women with MS consisting of 16 employment strengths and 22 employment weaknesses, a combination that distinguishes this …population from profiles of other MS sub-populations. CONCLUSION: Implications of these findings for future rehabilitation programming and research are examined. Show more

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, employment, African American women

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191068

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 173-183, 2020

Authors: Wu, Jia-Rung | Kesselmayer, Rachel Friefeld | Smedema, Susan Miller | Chen, Xiangli | Lee, Beatrice | Rumrill, Stuart | Chan, Fong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) 12-item version is a generic self-report instrument measuring perceived individual functioning and disability. Studies suggest that the WHODAS 2.0 12-item version may exhibit a varying factor structure and psychometric properties depending upon the disability group studied. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the measurement structure and psychometric properties of the WHODAS 2.0 12-item version in a community sample of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Participants included 256 individuals with MS. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and concurrent …validity analysis were used to psychometrically validate the measure. RESULTS: Results of the EFA suggest that the WHODAS 2.0 12-item version exhibits a two-factor structure in persons with MS (self-care functioning and social and cognitive functioning). These results were confirmed with the CFA (with modifications). Concurrent validity analysis revealed that the factors were significantly associated with relevant psychosocial variables in the expected directions. CONCLUSIONS: The WHODAS 2.0 12-item version may provide valuable information for vocational rehabilitation counselors to better support people with MS as they work toward their psychosocial and employment goals. Show more

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, disability assessment, functioning, ICF

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191071

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 185-194, 2020

Authors: Rumrill, Phillip D. | Strauser, David R. | Greco, Chelsea | Rumrill, Stuart P. | Sheppard-Jones, Kathy

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This article describes the Illinois Work and Well-Being Model as a framework that can be applied to facilitate the career development of people who have sustained strokes. The model depicts the interaction of contextual and career development domains to improve participation in the areas of work, society, community, and home. CONCLUSION: A discussion of the model’s implications regarding vocational rehabilitation research, service, and policy is presented, with the overall aim of establishing career development as the foundation of vocational rehabilitation services for stroke survivors.

Keywords: Stroke, vocational rehabilitation, career development

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191069

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 195-204, 2020

Authors: Sung, Connie | Chan, Fong | Ditchman, Nicole | Chan, Chetwyn

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to integrate the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and Stages of Change (SOC) frameworks into a comprehensive employment model for people with epilepsy. The contribution of each individual ICF construct and the interaction effects on work motivation were analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: Results from the hierarchical regression analysis revealed that demographic variables (e.g., work disincentives), disability-related variables (e.g., number of antiepileptic drugs), work-related variables (e.g., general employability, work tolerance, and work communication skills), and environmental variables (e.g., perceived stigma and social support) accounted …for more than 55% of the variance in work motivation in this study. CONCLUSION: This study contributes new knowledge about the effect of work functioning, personal factors, and environmental factors on work motivation of people with epilepsy. Specifically, it provides a thorough understanding of complex person-environment factors and their interaction effects on employment, providing theoretical guidance and research evidence for developing and validating efficacious, effective, and efficient employment interventions. Show more

Keywords: Epilepsy, employment, biopsychosocial, ICF model

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-201072

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 205-221, 2020