Psychosocial Aspects of Disability: Insider Perspectives and Strategies for Counselors

by Irmo Marini PhD, DSc, CRC, CLCP, Noreen M. Graf RhD, CRC, Michael Millington PhD, CRC

Overview

What are the differences between individuals with disabilities who flourish and those who never really adjust after a trauma? How do those born with a disability differ from individuals who acquire one later in life? Fully updated and revised, this second edition of a unique rehabilitation counseling text reflects growing disparities among “haves” and “have-nots” as they bear on the psychosocial aspects of disability. New content focuses on returning veterans afflicted with physical and mental health problems, persons with disabilities living in poverty, and the need for increased family and community-based engagement. The book provides updated information about assisted suicide, genetic testing, new legislation, and much more.

Using a minority model perspective, the text provides students and practitioners of rehabilitation and mental health counseling with vivid insight into the experience of living with a disability. It features first-person narratives from people living with a variety of disabling conditions, which are integrated with sociological and societal perspectives toward disability, and strategies for counseling such individuals. The text encompasses a historical perspective, psychological and sociological research, cultural variants regarding disability, myths and misconceptions, the attitudes of special interest and occupational groups, the use of positive psychology, and adjustments to disability by the individual and family. A wealth of counseling guidelines and useful strategies is geared to individuals with specific disabilities. Designed for a 15-week semester, the book also includes thought-provoking discussion questions and exercises.

New to the Second Edition:

• Reflects the growing disparities between “haves” and “have-nots” as they impact people with disabilities
• Includes new content on veterans with physical and mental disabilities
• Describes the experience of impoverished individuals with disabilities
• Examines the need for increased family and community-based engagement
• Discusses strengths and weaknesses of the Americans With Disabilities Act
• Covers assisted suicide, genetic testing, and recent legislation
• Includes expanded coverage of sexual identity
• Provides an Instructor’s Manual and PowerPoints as supplemental downloads

Key Features:

• Provides 16 personal narratives demonstrating the “normalcy” of individuals with different types of disabling conditions
• Includes stories of people living with blindness, hearing impairments, spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, mental illness, and other disabilities
• Delivers counseling strategies geared toward specific disabilities, with “do’s” and “don’ts”
• Discusses ongoing treatment issues and ethical dilemmas for rehabilitation counselors

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826180636
Publisher:	Springer Publishing Company
Publication date:	10/28/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	552
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Irmo Marini, PhD, DSc, CRC, CLCP, is professor in the School of Rehabilitation at the University of Texas–Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas. He obtained his PhD in rehabilitation from Auburn University and a master's degree in clinical psychology from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. He is a 2009 recipient of the National Council on Rehabilitation Education's Distinguished Career Award in rehabilitation education, and 2010 recipient of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association's James F. Garrett Distinguished Career Award in rehabilitation research. In 2012, Dr. Marini was bestowed an honorary Doctor of Science (honoris causa) from his alma mater Lakehead University and was the recipient of the 2013 National Council on Rehabilitation Education's Educator of the Year award. In 2015, he was the recipient of the Patricia McCollom Distinguished Career Award in life care planning research, and in 2022 the Outstanding Educator of the Year Award with the International Academy of Life Care Planners.

Noreen M. Graf, Rh.D, is a Professor in the School of Rehabilitation at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg Texas.

Michael J. Millington, PhD is Course Director for the Rehabilitation Counselling Discipline and Associate of the Centre for Disability Research and Policy, and the WHO Collaborating Centre at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

PART ONE: DISABILITY FROM A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

1. The History of Treatment Toward Persons With Disabilities Irmo Marini

Insider Perspective:The Story of Patricia E. Moniot

Discussion Questions and Exercises

2. Societal Attitudes and Myths About Disability: Improving the Social Consciousness Irmo Marini

Insider Perspective: The Story of Linda Napolitano

Discussion Questions and Exercises

3. Culturally Different Issues and Attitudes Toward Disability Michael Jay Millington Insider Perspective: The Story of Elvia Susana Prieto Armendariz Discussion Questions and Exercises

4. Attitudes Toward Disability by Special Interests and Occupational Groups Irmo Marini

Insider Perspective: The Story of Miriam Kimmelman

Discussion Questions and Exercises

PART TWO: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DISABILITY SURROUNDING THE INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY

5. Theories of Adjustment and Adaptation to Disability Irmo Marini

Insider Perspective: The Story of Michael Hoenig

Discussion Questions and Exercises

6. Family Adaptation Across Cultures Toward a Loved One Who Is Disabled Noreen M. Glover-Graf

Insider Perspective: The Story of Francia Malone

Discussion Questions and Exercises

7. Sexuality and Disability Noreen M. Glover-Graf

Insider Perspective: The Story of Jennifer L. Addis

Discussion Questions and Exercises

8. The Psychosocial World of the Injured Worker Irmo Marini

Insider Perspective: The Story of Gino Sonego

Discussion Questions and Exercises

PART THREE: PERTINENT TOPICS CONCERNING PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES OF DISABILITY

9. Disability and Quality of Life Over the Life Span Noreen M. Glover-Graf

Insider Perspective: The Story of Richard Daggett

Discussion Questions and Exercises

10. Implications of Social Support and Caregiving for Loved Ones With a Disability Irmo Marini

Insider Perspective: The Story of Verne Sanford

Discussion Questions and Exercises

11. Social Justice, Oppression, and Disability: Counseling Those Most in Need. Irmo Marini

Insider Perspective: The Story of Claudia Smith composed by Olivia Perez

2. Thriving Versus Succumbing to Disability: Psychosocial Factors and Positive Psychology Irmo Marini

Insider Perspective:Story of Dave Shannon

Discussion Questions and Exercises

PART FOUR: COUNSELING STRATEGIES AND INSIGHTS FOR WORKING WITH PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

13. Which Counseling Theories and Techniques Work Best With Different Disability Populations and Why Michael Jay Millington

Insider Perspective: The Story of Kristine Stebler

Discussion Questions and Exercises

14. Counseling Families in the Community Michael Jay Millington

Insider Perspective: The Story of Kathleen Prime

Discussion Questions and Exercises

15. Ethical Responsibilities in Working With Persons With Disabilities and Our Duty to Educate Noreen M. Glover-Graf

Insider Perspective:The Story of Patricia (Allen) Konczynski

Discussion Questions and Exercises

16. Basic Do’s and Don’ts in Counseling Persons With Disabilities Michael Jay Millington

Insider Perspective: The Story of Michael Hineberg

Discussion Questions and Exercises

Index

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Gary B Kaniuk, PsyD (Cermak Health Services)
Description: With 16 first-hand accounts of individuals living with physical disabilities, this book explores societal perspectives, family issues, quality of life, and social support, along with treatment alternatives.
Purpose: The authors note that this book "is the first to truly allow counselors and other related health professionals to 'walk a mile in our shoes' and to learn from the writings of 16 people with disabilities across North America."
Audience: It is intended for students, practitioners, and academics. Both Irmo Marini and Noreen Glover-Graf are professors from the University of Texas-Pan American, and Michael Jay Millington is from Utah State University.
Features: The book begins with sociological issues and includes the history of treatment for disabled persons from early civilization forward. It also addresses societal myths and cultural issues among Latinos, African Americans, Asians, and Native Americans. The next section discusses adjusting to disability using the Livneh stage model (1991), which includes initial impact, defense mobilization, initial realization, retaliation, and final adjustment or reintegration. Chapter 7, on sexuality and disability, is important for its consideration of self-esteem and body image, intimate relationships, and sexual concerns. The book explores quality of life issues through the life span, along with disability type. One of the most significant questions that this book discusses is why some disabled individuals thrive and others are thwarted by the limitations. Finally, the book presents treatment issues and emphasizes the need to work with both the disabled individual and the family. The chapters are arranged fairly uniformly, with an overview preceding the chapter, references, insider perspective, discussion questions, and exercises. The book is easy to read, though I was surprised that there were no tables and figures. Because it covers so many topic areas, it would be a great textbook for classroom use and as a source of valuable insight to professionals who work with disabled individuals.
Assessment: This is an excellent book, but the best parts are the stories of the disabled, which give readers insights into their struggles and triumphs. The book provides practical information backed by research. Clinicians and students will find it valuable.

Doody's Review Service