A systematic review of how spinal cord injury impacts families.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: This systematic review synthesizes the existing literature on the impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on families, including parenting, marital relations, and caregivers' psychological adjustment. RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN: Seven databases were searched for relevant peer-reviewed studies. Dissertations, chapters, editorials, and review articles were excluded. Sixty-six studies that examined SCI's impact on caregivers and families were included. RESULTS: The review included 55 quantitative studies, 10 qualitative studies, and one study that utilized both methodologies. Among the quantitative psychosocial adjustment studies, as well as the qualitative studies, lack of social support was associated with an increased sense of burden, stress, depression, anxiety, and poorer physical health in caregivers. In the family relationship studies (n = 7), few significant differences were found in family functioning. Marital relationship studies (n = 12) frequently examined intimacy (sex, partner affirmations, and emotional support) as an important facet for determining positive or negative outcomes when one partner had SCI. However, divorce rates appeared to increase over time postinjury. Though few studies investigated caregiver needs and interventions (n = 5), needs for social support and information were identified, and several interventions (e.g., family education, more social support, and problem-solving training) were beneficial for promoting caregivers' psychosocial adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: SCI significantly impacts caregivers' sense of burden and psychological distress, with major implications for family functioning and caregivers' physical, mental, and social health. These issues occurred internationally and endured over time. Findings indicated the need for focused interventions to support caregivers' psychosocial adjustment after SCI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Dissemination and use of the professional standards of practice for psychologists, social workers, and counselors in spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

Objective: To determine the level of awareness and utilization of the Professional Standards of Practice for Psychologists, Social Workers, and Counselors in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, 4th Edition (The Standards) by members of professional organizations representing psychologists, social workers, and licensed professional counselors (PSWC) working in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. Participants: Respondents belonged to members of professional organizations representing PSWC working in SCI rehabilitation, which included ASCIP (76%), APA's Division 22 (37%), ASIA (23%), USA (14%), PVA (12%), AVAPL (11%) and CRCC (3%). Method: Responses to an online questionnaire were solicited via email. Results: 63% of those that responded were aware of The Standards. Of those, (79%) had read all or a portion of The Standards. Colleagues were the most common source of awareness, followed by email announcements. Conclusions: The Standards are being used (in order of frequency) to improve clinical work, improve treatment efficacy, orientation of new staff, confirm current practice, education, advocacy, and other ways.

Personal assistance, disability, and intimate partner violence: A guide for healthcare providers.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to provide evidence-based guidance for health care providers to engage in brief and extensive assessment of intimate partner violence (IPV) and to initiate appropriate safety precautions and referrals, all within the context of disability. Research Method/Design: This article is a review of the literature on prevalence and risk factors for IPV in nondisabled couples and in couples where a partner has a disability, on various assessment tools, and on the impact of personal assistance on relationships. RESULTS: When an individual has a disability, it is often her or his partner who provides personal assistance. While providing this assistance can produce individual and/or interrelational benefits, it is also associated with a number of mental and physical health problems, including anxiety, depression, anger, drug abuse, and relationship discord and dissatisfaction. In addition, IPV is not uncommon among couples, and risk for partner violence may include depression, drug abuse, and relationship dissatisfaction, among others. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: It is likely that health care providers will encounter individuals with disabilities who are both receiving care from their partners and who are also the victims of partner violence. Thus, they will need to be prepared to assess and triage patients who are in or may be at risk for abusive relationships and to ensure patient safety in the context of these relationships. However, it is also critically important that this assessment occurs within a culturally inclusive and disability-affirming context. (PsycINFO Database Record

Healing pathways: longitudinal effects of religious coping and social support on PTSD symptoms in African American sexual assault survivors.

African American women are at a slightly increased risk for sexual assault (A. Abbey, A. Jacques-Tiaura, & M. Parkhill, 2010). However, because of stigma, experiences of racism, and historical oppression, African American women are less likely to seek help from formal agencies compared to White women (Lewis et al., 2005; S. E. Ullman & H. H. Filipas, 2001) and/or women of other ethnic backgrounds (C. Ahrens, S. Abeling, S. Ahmad, & J. Himman, 2010). Therefore, the provision of culturally appropriate services, such as the inclusion of religion and spiritual coping, may be necessary when working with African American women survivors of sexual assault. Controlling for age and education, the current study explores the impact of religious coping and social support over 1 year for 252 African American adult female sexual assault survivors recruited from the Chicago metropolitan area. Results from hierarchical linear regression analyses reveal that high endorsement of religious coping and social support at Time 1 does not predict a reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms at Time 2. However, high social support at Time 2 does predict lower PTSD at Time 2. Also, it is significant to note that survivors with high PTSD at Time 1 and Time 2 endorse greater use of social support and religious coping. Clinical and research implications are explored.