Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, 2016
Purpose: To examine postsecondary faculty attitudes and actions toward inclusive teaching strateg... more Purpose: To examine postsecondary faculty attitudes and actions toward inclusive teaching strategies (ITS) designed to benefit all learners.Method: The Inclusive Teaching Strategies Inventory is a self-report survey that measures faculty attitudes toward ITS and traditional academic accommodations, as well as their in-class actions. The authors electronically sent the survey to faculty (N = 422) at 3 universities.Results: Results concluded that experience with previous disability-related training (e.g., workshops, courses, books/articles, websites) was associated with more positive self-reported attitudes toward ITS and more actual use of ITS in courses. No significant differences in attitudes or actions between the 3 universities were found. Other findings revealed attitudes toward ITS were associated with actions incorporating ITS in courses.Conclusion: Rehabilitation educators should review ITS guidelines, seek ITS training opportunities on their respective campuses, begin to incorporate ITS where appropriate for specific courses, and measure ITS effectiveness after implementation in courses. Additional research is recommended to examine ITS effectiveness in various postsecondary educational settings.
Journal of applied rehabilitation counseling, Sep 1, 2015
The increase in social networking media, online and distance counseling, and the ubiquitous use o... more The increase in social networking media, online and distance counseling, and the ubiquitous use of laptops, hand-held devices, and internet connected devices at home and in work settings have resulted in the need for ethical standards to help guide rehabilitation professionals in service delivery. In response, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) has incorporated Section J: Technology and Distance Counseling into the CRCC Code of Ethics. Additionally, the CRCC released a social media policy on their website. However, specific ethical standards addressing the use of social media have not been implemented. The purpose of this manuscript is to address potential issues that can arise in interacting with clients through social media. Specifically, we will discuss the following areas: (1) digital immigrants and natives, (2) social media mechanics, (3) advantages of using social media, (4) disadvantages of using social media, (5) social media and the CRCC Code of Ethics, (6) using social media professionally, privately, or not at all, and (7) implementing a social media policy. Discussion and recommendations are provided.
Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) is an instructional concept that utilizes postsecondary in... more Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) is an instructional concept that utilizes postsecondary institutional stakeholders, or university faculty, to create inclusive courses that move beyond mandated academic accommodations (Scott, McGuire, & Shaw, 2003). UDI is easily associated with students with disabilities because of accessibility considerations; however, proponents argue that UDI methods create diverse learning environments that benefit all students (McGuire & Scott, 2006). Currently, most postsecondary institutions in the United States (U.S.) do not utilize the principles of UDI for a variety of reasons. One reason is that many postsecondary faculty and staff lack the training, knowledge, skills and resources necessary to create universally inclusive learning environments (Raue & Lewis, 2011). Block, Loewen, and Kroeger (2006) stressed that incorporating UDI into higher education requires institutional commitment and a viewpoint change from a medical model of disability to a social model. Not only would incorporating UDI in higher education benefit all students, it would decrease the need for "retrofitting" college courses in the form of academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Presently, postsecondary institutions in the U.S. are legally mandated to provide, on an individual basis, academic accommodations for "qualified" students with disabilities who make requests. Examples of academic accommodations may include extended time on exams, audio books, and human note takers. Students must self-identify themselves to disability support professionals (DSP) on campus and request accommodations. This is often a time consuming process that may begin after a course has started (Scott et al., 2003). McGuire and Scott (2006) argued for a shift from legally mandated accommodations to full inclusion through the use of UDI. Using the principles of UDI, the need for academic accommodations would be less likely because the pre-planning for the course would take into consideration and benefit the learning styles and needs of all students. UDI and Other Inclusive Models UDI is based directly on the principles of Universal Design (UD), which originally focused on making buildings and other structures physically accessible (Zeff, 2007). It is important to note that besides UDI, other inclusive teaching models exist such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) (Center for Applied Special Technology, 2012) and Universal Instructional Design (UID) (Silver, Bourke, & Strehom, 1998), among others. Although there are descriptive differences between UDI, UDL and UID, they are all based on the principles of UD and all are focused on accessible teaching and learning (Zeff, 2007). For example, instructors that ensure physical accessibility in the classroom, show captioned course-related videos, and give students choices about exam formats or assignments are creating an inclusive environment, presenting information in multiple ways, and allowing students to present information in multiple ways, respectively. A unifying definition of the three prominent models listed above could be described as applying UD principles to the instructional environment (Roberts, Park, Brown, & Cook, 2011). This article will use the term UDI henceforth. Scott, McGuire, and Shaw (2001) published nine principles of Universal Design for Instruction (Scott, Loewen, Funckes, & Kroger, 2003). The nine principles are (a) Equitable Use (e.g., accessible course notes and reading materials), (b) Flexibility in Use (e.g., vary instructional techniques), (c), Simple and Intuitive (e.g., grading rubric, detailed syllabus), (d) Perceptible Information (e.g., select textbooks available in audio), (e) Tolerance for Error (e.g., semester-long feedback on projects), (f) Low Physical Effort (e.g., allow use of online assignment submission), (g) Size and Space for Approach and Use (e.g., circular seating), (h) a Community of Learners (e. …
Journal of applied rehabilitation counseling, Dec 1, 2015
Rehabilitation counselors (RCs) routinely work in postsecondary settings serving students with di... more Rehabilitation counselors (RCs) routinely work in postsecondary settings serving students with disabilities and interact with campus faculty, staff, and/or administrators on behalf of students they serve. The purpose of the study was to utilize the Inclusive Teaching Strategies Inventory (ITSI) to measure faculty attitudes towards inclusive teaching strategies. The ITSI survey includes items related to traditional academic accommodations, but also includes items related to Universal Design (UD) instructional techniques. The survey was sent electronically to 1,621 faculty at a Midwestern research University and 397 faculty members participated. Results of the study validate findings from previous research on faculty attitudes and concluded that factors such as previous disability-related training and having taught students with disabilities, influenced attitudes toward accommodations and UD instructional concepts. Faculty age and years of teaching experience were not factors associated with attitudes as measured by the ITSI. RCs employed in postsecondary settings may use the results of this study as a guide when interacting or training faculty regarding accommodations or UD instructional techniques. RCs may also consider administering the ITSI to specific faculty populations on their respective campuses as a precursor to training. Implications for RCs employed in postsecondary settings are provided.
Introduction: Research has shown that Veterans with Substance/Alcohol Use Disorders (SUDs/AUDs) a... more Introduction: Research has shown that Veterans with Substance/Alcohol Use Disorders (SUDs/AUDs) are at a greater risk for employment-related issues (eg, lower labor force participation rates), and interventions such as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) have been used as a tool to reduce employment obtainment and maintenance. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate acceptance rates and employment rates at closure for Veterans with SUDs/AUDs prior to the implementation of VHA Policy Directive 1163 (mandated that Veterans are not refused services based on prior or current SUD/AUDs). SUD/AUDs were coded to reflect DSM 5-TR criteria of active use and in-remission. Methods: Data from a VHA Vocational Rehabilitation program in the Veterans Integrated Service Network 12 network were obtained for the purpose of the current study. Results: Findings showed that Veterans with AUDs were less likely to be accepted for VR services prior and after implementation of VHA Policy Directive 1163. ...
Journal of Addictive Behaviors,Therapy & Rehabilitation, Jul 14, 2021
Background and Aims: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) exhibits neurobiological similarities with ot... more Background and Aims: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) exhibits neurobiological similarities with other addictive disorders. Similar to other behavioral addictions, age of onset of game-play impacts the development of IGD. The present study utilized the Video Game Functional Assessment-Revised (VGFA-R) to explore the relationship between components of the motivations (mediating variable) contributing to IGD, symptomatic severity of IGD or risk for having IGD and the impact of age of gaming onset. Methods: Participants were recruited via Mass Media Recruitment at a US Midwestern University (304 remained after exclusion criteria applied). The study used a mediation analysis to evaluate the effects of gaming onset on the clinical diagnosis of IGD and the maintaining behavioral function of videogame play. Results: Age of onset (independent variable) was not directly related to IGD. Each level of the VGFA-R was significantly related to the IGD. None of the levels of the VGFA-R significantly mediated the relationship between age of gaming onset and IGD. Discussion and Conclusions: Results demonstrated two important findings: (i) a significant relationship between IGD and the VGFA-R (i.e., attention and sensory function), and (ii) age of onset was significantly related to the VGFA-R (attention, e cape, tangible and sensory)
Background Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder that presents with physical sympt... more Background Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder that presents with physical symptoms that can negatively impact numerous areas of one’s life, including occupational and psychological functioning, with decreased quality of life compared to a normative population. The purpose of the current study was to explore the impact of psychological factors (anxiety and depression), along with quality of life and hope on employment barriers between those with NF1 and matched controls. Methods A total of 212 individuals were stratified into two groups (NF1 and matched controls) using a cross-sectional design that collected a one-time response. Results A mediation analysis in which total barriers to employment success on the differences between groups with quality of life, anxiety and depression as the mediators, and levels of employment hope as the co-variates were examined. The results did confirm a direct (.001) and indirect (
Treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) with comorbid substance use disorder can be ch... more Treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) with comorbid substance use disorder can be challenging due to symptom overlap and limited assessment methods. Preliminary evidence has shown promising effectiveness of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) for BPD with comorbid substance use disorders. The current study compared the benefits of a 28-day transitional DBT treatment program for individuals with BPD with and without substance use disorders through evaluating the changes in coping skills, generalized anxiety, and depression symptom scales at admission and discharge. A total of 76 patients were split into two groups: Group 1 consisted of individuals with BPD without substance use disorders (n = 41), and Group 2 involved individuals with BPD and a substance use disorder (SUD) (n = 35). A univariate general linear model showed significant differences between the two groups in improvement of coping skills and depressive symptoms. After a 28-day transitional DBT treatment pro...
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 2020
Females in empirically based peer-reviewed studies of internet gaming disorder are underrepresent... more Females in empirically based peer-reviewed studies of internet gaming disorder are underrepresented, despite evidence that there are only minor gender disparities present in online gaming. Moreover, few studies have specifically evaluated adult gender effects, within a formal diagnosis of internet gaming disorder, and behavioral motivation, as defined by the reinforcing behavioral function. A mediation analysis evaluated the relationship between gender, behavioral motivation, and the diagnostic features in online gaming among adults to understand the impact of motivation on videogame playing. The present study interviewed 304 adults (aged over 18 years) in which 178 identified as female. Participants completed the Video Game Functional Assessment-Revised (VGFA-R) and the 20-item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-20) via an online survey. Results showed that number of hours played per week, and sub-factors of the VGFA-R differed between gender, indicating that the function and the maintaining of videogame play is essential in evaluating videogame addiction. These findings support and extend the literature's limited findings concerning gender and online gaming.
Introduction: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a neurogenetic disorder affecting 1 in 3000 peopl... more Introduction: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a neurogenetic disorder affecting 1 in 3000 people worldwide, where individuals are prone to develop benign and malignant tumors. In addition, many people with NF1 complain of pain that limits their daily functioning. Due to the complexity of the disorder, there are few options for treating pain symptoms besides surgery and medications. Moreover, the spectrum of pain symptomatology and treatment, as well as the mechanisms underlying NF1-associated pain, has been understudied. Methodology: To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a survey of 255 adults with NF1, leveraging the Washington University NF1 Patient Registry Initiative (NPRI) database. Demographic and pain data were collected using a Qualtrics survey. Results: All participants had at least one surgical procedure, with 55% reporting having at least one surgery within the last year and 17% being currently prescribed opioid medication. A positive relationship was shown (p<0.001) between those prescribed prescription pain medication, and their pain severity and interference. Moreover, there was a significant relationship (p=0.049) between the usage of complementary treatments and pain severity and interference. Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that individuals with NF1 report a higher incidence of pain severity and interference than observed in NF1 previous studies, with pain symptoms not localized to any specific region of the body. The consideration for alternative treatments and careful monitoring of current treatments that are more conservative or have less potential adverse side effects may improve pain management and reduce the risk of developing medication dependence.
Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 2019
The purpose of the current study was to explore how students at a Midwestern University rated the... more The purpose of the current study was to explore how students at a Midwestern University rated the fairness of a student with a disability receiving specific educational accommodations when controlling for the race of the student requesting the accommodation. We were also interested in exploring the impact of disability status and educational level of the student participants on their perception of how fair it would be for the student with the disability in the scenario to receive specific educational accommodations. A logistic regression analysis revealed that the race of the hypothetical student with a disability was not a significant predictor of whether a student deserved educational accommodations. Additionally, participants that disclosed that they had a disability thought the student in the disability-related case scenarios were more deserving of accommodations compared to participants that did not disclose having a disability.
Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 2015
Rehabilitation counselors (RCs) routinely work in postsecondary settings serving students with di... more Rehabilitation counselors (RCs) routinely work in postsecondary settings serving students with disabilities and interact with campus faculty, staff, and/or administrators on behalf of students they serve. The purpose of the study was to utilize the Inclusive Teaching Strategies Inventory (ITSI) to measure faculty attitudes towards inclusive teaching strategies. The ITSI survey includes items related to traditional academic accommodations, but also includes items related to Universal Design (UD) instructional techniques. The survey was sent electronically to 1,621 faculty at a Midwestern research University and 397 faculty members participated. Results of the study validate findings from previous research on faculty attitudes and concluded that factors such as previous disability-related training and having taught students with disabilities, influenced attitudes toward accommodations and UD instructional concepts. Faculty age and years of teaching experience were not factors associat...
Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 2015
The increase in social networking media, online and distance counseling, and the ubiquitous use o... more The increase in social networking media, online and distance counseling, and the ubiquitous use of laptops, hand-held devices, and internet connected devices at home and in work settings have resulted in the need for ethical standards to help guide rehabilitation professionals in service delivery. In response, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) has incorporated Section J: Technology and Distance Counseling into the CRCC Code of Ethics. Additionally, the CRCC released a social media policy on their website. However, specific ethical standards addressing the use of social media have not been implemented. The purpose of this manuscript is to address potential issues that can arise in interacting with clients through social media. Specifically, we will discuss the following areas: (1) digital immigrants and natives, (2) social media mechanics, (3) advantages of using social media, (4) disadvantages of using social media, (5) social media and the CRCC Code of...
Initially labeled as internet addiction in the mid-1990s (e.g., Griffiths, 1996; Young, 1996), re... more Initially labeled as internet addiction in the mid-1990s (e.g., Griffiths, 1996; Young, 1996), researchers have since focused on how specific online activities result in negative consequences for those who overuse and have problems with online applications such as online gambling and online sex (Griffiths, 2000; Potenza, 2017). More recently, this has been applied to online problematic video game play, often used synonymously with terms such as online video game addiction, online gaming addiction, and Internet gaming disorder (IGD). With the publication of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013), IGD was identified by the APA as warranting further study. The current proposed diagnostic criterion in the DSM-5 requires the presence of five of nine symptoms over a 12-month period. These include: (a) preoccupation or obsession with Internet games, (b) withdrawal symptoms when not playing Internet games, (c) an increasing need over time to spend more and more time playing video games, (d) failed attempts to stop or curb Internet gaming, (e) loss of interest in other activities such as hobbies, (f) continued overuse of Internet games even with knowledge of the impact of overuse on their life, (g) lying about extent of Internet game usage, (h) uses Internet games to relieve anxiety or guilt, and (i) has lost or put at risk an opportunity or relationship because of Internet games (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). However, it is unclear if the disorder represents addiction to the internet or if IGD evaluates specific behaviors occurring within the context of the video gaming (Starcevic and Billieux, 2017; Young and Brand, 2017).
Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, Jan 3, 2018
The primary goal of the study was to evaluate how the use of rehabilitation technology impacted c... more The primary goal of the study was to evaluate how the use of rehabilitation technology impacted closure status for consumers receiving services in fiscal year (FY) 2014. Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA-911) Case Service Report FY 2014 archival dataset was obtained from the U.S. Department of Education (2014) and secondary analyses was performed for this study. RSA-911 archival data is updated on an annual basis and consists of all state-federal rehabilitation consumers who were served in the specific fiscal year. The dataset contains information related to each consumer's demographic information (e.g. age, gender, race) and other supplemental information (e.g. weekly earnings at closure, cause of disability, services provided). A multiple logistic regression analysis was utilized and revealed that white consumers receiving rehabilitation technology (RT) services have significantly higher closure rate than consumers of other races, RT services differ by the employment ...
Background Internet gaming disorder (IGD) was introduced in the DSM-5 as a way of identifying and... more Background Internet gaming disorder (IGD) was introduced in the DSM-5 as a way of identifying and diagnosing problematic video game play. However, the use of the diagnosis is constrained, as it shares criteria with other addictive orders (e.g., pathological gambling). Aims Further work is required to better understand IGD. One potential avenue of investigation is IGD's relationship to the primary reinforcing behavioral functions. This study explores the relationship between duration of video game play and the reinforcing behavioral functions that may motivate or maintain video gaming. Methods A total of 499 video game players began the online survey, with complete data from 453 participants (85% white and 28% female), were analyzed. Individuals were placed into five groups based on self-reported hours of video gaming per week, and completed the Video Game Functional Assessment - Revised (VGFA-R). Results The results demonstrated the escape and social attention function were sign...
Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, 2016
Purpose: To examine postsecondary faculty attitudes and actions toward inclusive teaching strateg... more Purpose: To examine postsecondary faculty attitudes and actions toward inclusive teaching strategies (ITS) designed to benefit all learners.Method: The Inclusive Teaching Strategies Inventory is a self-report survey that measures faculty attitudes toward ITS and traditional academic accommodations, as well as their in-class actions. The authors electronically sent the survey to faculty (N = 422) at 3 universities.Results: Results concluded that experience with previous disability-related training (e.g., workshops, courses, books/articles, websites) was associated with more positive self-reported attitudes toward ITS and more actual use of ITS in courses. No significant differences in attitudes or actions between the 3 universities were found. Other findings revealed attitudes toward ITS were associated with actions incorporating ITS in courses.Conclusion: Rehabilitation educators should review ITS guidelines, seek ITS training opportunities on their respective campuses, begin to incorporate ITS where appropriate for specific courses, and measure ITS effectiveness after implementation in courses. Additional research is recommended to examine ITS effectiveness in various postsecondary educational settings.
Journal of applied rehabilitation counseling, Sep 1, 2015
The increase in social networking media, online and distance counseling, and the ubiquitous use o... more The increase in social networking media, online and distance counseling, and the ubiquitous use of laptops, hand-held devices, and internet connected devices at home and in work settings have resulted in the need for ethical standards to help guide rehabilitation professionals in service delivery. In response, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) has incorporated Section J: Technology and Distance Counseling into the CRCC Code of Ethics. Additionally, the CRCC released a social media policy on their website. However, specific ethical standards addressing the use of social media have not been implemented. The purpose of this manuscript is to address potential issues that can arise in interacting with clients through social media. Specifically, we will discuss the following areas: (1) digital immigrants and natives, (2) social media mechanics, (3) advantages of using social media, (4) disadvantages of using social media, (5) social media and the CRCC Code of Ethics, (6) using social media professionally, privately, or not at all, and (7) implementing a social media policy. Discussion and recommendations are provided.
Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) is an instructional concept that utilizes postsecondary in... more Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) is an instructional concept that utilizes postsecondary institutional stakeholders, or university faculty, to create inclusive courses that move beyond mandated academic accommodations (Scott, McGuire, & Shaw, 2003). UDI is easily associated with students with disabilities because of accessibility considerations; however, proponents argue that UDI methods create diverse learning environments that benefit all students (McGuire & Scott, 2006). Currently, most postsecondary institutions in the United States (U.S.) do not utilize the principles of UDI for a variety of reasons. One reason is that many postsecondary faculty and staff lack the training, knowledge, skills and resources necessary to create universally inclusive learning environments (Raue & Lewis, 2011). Block, Loewen, and Kroeger (2006) stressed that incorporating UDI into higher education requires institutional commitment and a viewpoint change from a medical model of disability to a social model. Not only would incorporating UDI in higher education benefit all students, it would decrease the need for "retrofitting" college courses in the form of academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Presently, postsecondary institutions in the U.S. are legally mandated to provide, on an individual basis, academic accommodations for "qualified" students with disabilities who make requests. Examples of academic accommodations may include extended time on exams, audio books, and human note takers. Students must self-identify themselves to disability support professionals (DSP) on campus and request accommodations. This is often a time consuming process that may begin after a course has started (Scott et al., 2003). McGuire and Scott (2006) argued for a shift from legally mandated accommodations to full inclusion through the use of UDI. Using the principles of UDI, the need for academic accommodations would be less likely because the pre-planning for the course would take into consideration and benefit the learning styles and needs of all students. UDI and Other Inclusive Models UDI is based directly on the principles of Universal Design (UD), which originally focused on making buildings and other structures physically accessible (Zeff, 2007). It is important to note that besides UDI, other inclusive teaching models exist such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) (Center for Applied Special Technology, 2012) and Universal Instructional Design (UID) (Silver, Bourke, & Strehom, 1998), among others. Although there are descriptive differences between UDI, UDL and UID, they are all based on the principles of UD and all are focused on accessible teaching and learning (Zeff, 2007). For example, instructors that ensure physical accessibility in the classroom, show captioned course-related videos, and give students choices about exam formats or assignments are creating an inclusive environment, presenting information in multiple ways, and allowing students to present information in multiple ways, respectively. A unifying definition of the three prominent models listed above could be described as applying UD principles to the instructional environment (Roberts, Park, Brown, & Cook, 2011). This article will use the term UDI henceforth. Scott, McGuire, and Shaw (2001) published nine principles of Universal Design for Instruction (Scott, Loewen, Funckes, & Kroger, 2003). The nine principles are (a) Equitable Use (e.g., accessible course notes and reading materials), (b) Flexibility in Use (e.g., vary instructional techniques), (c), Simple and Intuitive (e.g., grading rubric, detailed syllabus), (d) Perceptible Information (e.g., select textbooks available in audio), (e) Tolerance for Error (e.g., semester-long feedback on projects), (f) Low Physical Effort (e.g., allow use of online assignment submission), (g) Size and Space for Approach and Use (e.g., circular seating), (h) a Community of Learners (e. …
Journal of applied rehabilitation counseling, Dec 1, 2015
Rehabilitation counselors (RCs) routinely work in postsecondary settings serving students with di... more Rehabilitation counselors (RCs) routinely work in postsecondary settings serving students with disabilities and interact with campus faculty, staff, and/or administrators on behalf of students they serve. The purpose of the study was to utilize the Inclusive Teaching Strategies Inventory (ITSI) to measure faculty attitudes towards inclusive teaching strategies. The ITSI survey includes items related to traditional academic accommodations, but also includes items related to Universal Design (UD) instructional techniques. The survey was sent electronically to 1,621 faculty at a Midwestern research University and 397 faculty members participated. Results of the study validate findings from previous research on faculty attitudes and concluded that factors such as previous disability-related training and having taught students with disabilities, influenced attitudes toward accommodations and UD instructional concepts. Faculty age and years of teaching experience were not factors associated with attitudes as measured by the ITSI. RCs employed in postsecondary settings may use the results of this study as a guide when interacting or training faculty regarding accommodations or UD instructional techniques. RCs may also consider administering the ITSI to specific faculty populations on their respective campuses as a precursor to training. Implications for RCs employed in postsecondary settings are provided.
Introduction: Research has shown that Veterans with Substance/Alcohol Use Disorders (SUDs/AUDs) a... more Introduction: Research has shown that Veterans with Substance/Alcohol Use Disorders (SUDs/AUDs) are at a greater risk for employment-related issues (eg, lower labor force participation rates), and interventions such as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) have been used as a tool to reduce employment obtainment and maintenance. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate acceptance rates and employment rates at closure for Veterans with SUDs/AUDs prior to the implementation of VHA Policy Directive 1163 (mandated that Veterans are not refused services based on prior or current SUD/AUDs). SUD/AUDs were coded to reflect DSM 5-TR criteria of active use and in-remission. Methods: Data from a VHA Vocational Rehabilitation program in the Veterans Integrated Service Network 12 network were obtained for the purpose of the current study. Results: Findings showed that Veterans with AUDs were less likely to be accepted for VR services prior and after implementation of VHA Policy Directive 1163. ...
Journal of Addictive Behaviors,Therapy & Rehabilitation, Jul 14, 2021
Background and Aims: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) exhibits neurobiological similarities with ot... more Background and Aims: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) exhibits neurobiological similarities with other addictive disorders. Similar to other behavioral addictions, age of onset of game-play impacts the development of IGD. The present study utilized the Video Game Functional Assessment-Revised (VGFA-R) to explore the relationship between components of the motivations (mediating variable) contributing to IGD, symptomatic severity of IGD or risk for having IGD and the impact of age of gaming onset. Methods: Participants were recruited via Mass Media Recruitment at a US Midwestern University (304 remained after exclusion criteria applied). The study used a mediation analysis to evaluate the effects of gaming onset on the clinical diagnosis of IGD and the maintaining behavioral function of videogame play. Results: Age of onset (independent variable) was not directly related to IGD. Each level of the VGFA-R was significantly related to the IGD. None of the levels of the VGFA-R significantly mediated the relationship between age of gaming onset and IGD. Discussion and Conclusions: Results demonstrated two important findings: (i) a significant relationship between IGD and the VGFA-R (i.e., attention and sensory function), and (ii) age of onset was significantly related to the VGFA-R (attention, e cape, tangible and sensory)
Background Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder that presents with physical sympt... more Background Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder that presents with physical symptoms that can negatively impact numerous areas of one’s life, including occupational and psychological functioning, with decreased quality of life compared to a normative population. The purpose of the current study was to explore the impact of psychological factors (anxiety and depression), along with quality of life and hope on employment barriers between those with NF1 and matched controls. Methods A total of 212 individuals were stratified into two groups (NF1 and matched controls) using a cross-sectional design that collected a one-time response. Results A mediation analysis in which total barriers to employment success on the differences between groups with quality of life, anxiety and depression as the mediators, and levels of employment hope as the co-variates were examined. The results did confirm a direct (.001) and indirect (
Treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) with comorbid substance use disorder can be ch... more Treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) with comorbid substance use disorder can be challenging due to symptom overlap and limited assessment methods. Preliminary evidence has shown promising effectiveness of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) for BPD with comorbid substance use disorders. The current study compared the benefits of a 28-day transitional DBT treatment program for individuals with BPD with and without substance use disorders through evaluating the changes in coping skills, generalized anxiety, and depression symptom scales at admission and discharge. A total of 76 patients were split into two groups: Group 1 consisted of individuals with BPD without substance use disorders (n = 41), and Group 2 involved individuals with BPD and a substance use disorder (SUD) (n = 35). A univariate general linear model showed significant differences between the two groups in improvement of coping skills and depressive symptoms. After a 28-day transitional DBT treatment pro...
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 2020
Females in empirically based peer-reviewed studies of internet gaming disorder are underrepresent... more Females in empirically based peer-reviewed studies of internet gaming disorder are underrepresented, despite evidence that there are only minor gender disparities present in online gaming. Moreover, few studies have specifically evaluated adult gender effects, within a formal diagnosis of internet gaming disorder, and behavioral motivation, as defined by the reinforcing behavioral function. A mediation analysis evaluated the relationship between gender, behavioral motivation, and the diagnostic features in online gaming among adults to understand the impact of motivation on videogame playing. The present study interviewed 304 adults (aged over 18 years) in which 178 identified as female. Participants completed the Video Game Functional Assessment-Revised (VGFA-R) and the 20-item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-20) via an online survey. Results showed that number of hours played per week, and sub-factors of the VGFA-R differed between gender, indicating that the function and the maintaining of videogame play is essential in evaluating videogame addiction. These findings support and extend the literature's limited findings concerning gender and online gaming.
Introduction: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a neurogenetic disorder affecting 1 in 3000 peopl... more Introduction: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a neurogenetic disorder affecting 1 in 3000 people worldwide, where individuals are prone to develop benign and malignant tumors. In addition, many people with NF1 complain of pain that limits their daily functioning. Due to the complexity of the disorder, there are few options for treating pain symptoms besides surgery and medications. Moreover, the spectrum of pain symptomatology and treatment, as well as the mechanisms underlying NF1-associated pain, has been understudied. Methodology: To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a survey of 255 adults with NF1, leveraging the Washington University NF1 Patient Registry Initiative (NPRI) database. Demographic and pain data were collected using a Qualtrics survey. Results: All participants had at least one surgical procedure, with 55% reporting having at least one surgery within the last year and 17% being currently prescribed opioid medication. A positive relationship was shown (p<0.001) between those prescribed prescription pain medication, and their pain severity and interference. Moreover, there was a significant relationship (p=0.049) between the usage of complementary treatments and pain severity and interference. Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that individuals with NF1 report a higher incidence of pain severity and interference than observed in NF1 previous studies, with pain symptoms not localized to any specific region of the body. The consideration for alternative treatments and careful monitoring of current treatments that are more conservative or have less potential adverse side effects may improve pain management and reduce the risk of developing medication dependence.
Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 2019
The purpose of the current study was to explore how students at a Midwestern University rated the... more The purpose of the current study was to explore how students at a Midwestern University rated the fairness of a student with a disability receiving specific educational accommodations when controlling for the race of the student requesting the accommodation. We were also interested in exploring the impact of disability status and educational level of the student participants on their perception of how fair it would be for the student with the disability in the scenario to receive specific educational accommodations. A logistic regression analysis revealed that the race of the hypothetical student with a disability was not a significant predictor of whether a student deserved educational accommodations. Additionally, participants that disclosed that they had a disability thought the student in the disability-related case scenarios were more deserving of accommodations compared to participants that did not disclose having a disability.
Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 2015
Rehabilitation counselors (RCs) routinely work in postsecondary settings serving students with di... more Rehabilitation counselors (RCs) routinely work in postsecondary settings serving students with disabilities and interact with campus faculty, staff, and/or administrators on behalf of students they serve. The purpose of the study was to utilize the Inclusive Teaching Strategies Inventory (ITSI) to measure faculty attitudes towards inclusive teaching strategies. The ITSI survey includes items related to traditional academic accommodations, but also includes items related to Universal Design (UD) instructional techniques. The survey was sent electronically to 1,621 faculty at a Midwestern research University and 397 faculty members participated. Results of the study validate findings from previous research on faculty attitudes and concluded that factors such as previous disability-related training and having taught students with disabilities, influenced attitudes toward accommodations and UD instructional concepts. Faculty age and years of teaching experience were not factors associat...
Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 2015
The increase in social networking media, online and distance counseling, and the ubiquitous use o... more The increase in social networking media, online and distance counseling, and the ubiquitous use of laptops, hand-held devices, and internet connected devices at home and in work settings have resulted in the need for ethical standards to help guide rehabilitation professionals in service delivery. In response, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) has incorporated Section J: Technology and Distance Counseling into the CRCC Code of Ethics. Additionally, the CRCC released a social media policy on their website. However, specific ethical standards addressing the use of social media have not been implemented. The purpose of this manuscript is to address potential issues that can arise in interacting with clients through social media. Specifically, we will discuss the following areas: (1) digital immigrants and natives, (2) social media mechanics, (3) advantages of using social media, (4) disadvantages of using social media, (5) social media and the CRCC Code of...
Initially labeled as internet addiction in the mid-1990s (e.g., Griffiths, 1996; Young, 1996), re... more Initially labeled as internet addiction in the mid-1990s (e.g., Griffiths, 1996; Young, 1996), researchers have since focused on how specific online activities result in negative consequences for those who overuse and have problems with online applications such as online gambling and online sex (Griffiths, 2000; Potenza, 2017). More recently, this has been applied to online problematic video game play, often used synonymously with terms such as online video game addiction, online gaming addiction, and Internet gaming disorder (IGD). With the publication of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013), IGD was identified by the APA as warranting further study. The current proposed diagnostic criterion in the DSM-5 requires the presence of five of nine symptoms over a 12-month period. These include: (a) preoccupation or obsession with Internet games, (b) withdrawal symptoms when not playing Internet games, (c) an increasing need over time to spend more and more time playing video games, (d) failed attempts to stop or curb Internet gaming, (e) loss of interest in other activities such as hobbies, (f) continued overuse of Internet games even with knowledge of the impact of overuse on their life, (g) lying about extent of Internet game usage, (h) uses Internet games to relieve anxiety or guilt, and (i) has lost or put at risk an opportunity or relationship because of Internet games (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). However, it is unclear if the disorder represents addiction to the internet or if IGD evaluates specific behaviors occurring within the context of the video gaming (Starcevic and Billieux, 2017; Young and Brand, 2017).
Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, Jan 3, 2018
The primary goal of the study was to evaluate how the use of rehabilitation technology impacted c... more The primary goal of the study was to evaluate how the use of rehabilitation technology impacted closure status for consumers receiving services in fiscal year (FY) 2014. Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA-911) Case Service Report FY 2014 archival dataset was obtained from the U.S. Department of Education (2014) and secondary analyses was performed for this study. RSA-911 archival data is updated on an annual basis and consists of all state-federal rehabilitation consumers who were served in the specific fiscal year. The dataset contains information related to each consumer's demographic information (e.g. age, gender, race) and other supplemental information (e.g. weekly earnings at closure, cause of disability, services provided). A multiple logistic regression analysis was utilized and revealed that white consumers receiving rehabilitation technology (RT) services have significantly higher closure rate than consumers of other races, RT services differ by the employment ...
Background Internet gaming disorder (IGD) was introduced in the DSM-5 as a way of identifying and... more Background Internet gaming disorder (IGD) was introduced in the DSM-5 as a way of identifying and diagnosing problematic video game play. However, the use of the diagnosis is constrained, as it shares criteria with other addictive orders (e.g., pathological gambling). Aims Further work is required to better understand IGD. One potential avenue of investigation is IGD's relationship to the primary reinforcing behavioral functions. This study explores the relationship between duration of video game play and the reinforcing behavioral functions that may motivate or maintain video gaming. Methods A total of 499 video game players began the online survey, with complete data from 453 participants (85% white and 28% female), were analyzed. Individuals were placed into five groups based on self-reported hours of video gaming per week, and completed the Video Game Functional Assessment - Revised (VGFA-R). Results The results demonstrated the escape and social attention function were sign...
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Papers by Matthew Sprong