Papers by Yolanda Suarez-balcazar
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy
Date Presented 04/01/2022 This study used a mixed-methods approach to explore how the coronavirus... more Date Presented 04/01/2022 This study used a mixed-methods approach to explore how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected the well-being of 37 Latinx caregivers of children with developmental disabilities. Perceived social support, family income, and receipt of financial benefits were associated with caregiver depressive symptoms. Most caregivers reported that the pandemic had placed a strain on their economic situation, increased their isolation, and disrupted their child’s therapeutic supports, online education, and routines. Primary Author and Speaker: Jasmine Brown-Hollie Contributing Authors: Mansha Mirza, Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar, Vanessa Errisuriz, Weiwen Zang, Nazanin Hyderian, Deborah Parra-Medina, Paula Morales, Hilda Torres, Sandy Magana, Sarah Camillone, Estefania Garcia Gomez
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy
Date Presented 04/22/2023 Research on obesity prevention for Latinx children with disabilities is... more Date Presented 04/22/2023 Research on obesity prevention for Latinx children with disabilities is limited. OTs can play an essential role in supporting families’ health behaviors, including promoting healthy eating and physical activity routines. Primary Author and Speaker: Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar Contributing Authors: Jasmine Brown, Mansha Mirza
The authors helped to develop a plan for data entry and data analysis in the Integrated Child Car... more The authors helped to develop a plan for data entry and data analysis in the Integrated Child Care (AIN) Project in Honduras. Their consultancy involved the development of code books for data entry development of dummy tables to facilitate data entry into the SPSS program and the revision of the time table for the project. They also developed a conceptual framework for the evaluation process using the 1995 article from Griffiths and Dickin. Copies of the instrument are included while appendix B has copies of the dummy tables and appendix C presents a diagram of the indicators of community participation and community sustainability of the AIN program as they relate to the assessment goals of the evaluation effort. A revised timeline for the evaluation process is in Appendix D.
Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 2012
Purpose: Children in the United States are at risk for developing obesity at higher rates than ev... more Purpose: Children in the United States are at risk for developing obesity at higher rates than ever before. The study investigated if a picture taking assignment based on Photovoice was effective in engaging children in a discussion about factors that influenced their health and participation in active occupations. Method: Seventeen children between the ages of 10 and 11 years old completed the picture taking assignment and participated in a structured discussion. Results: The children were able to identify factors that promoted a healthy lifestyle, as well as factors that did not promote a healthy lifestyle. The children also established individual goals related to health and participation in active occupations.Conclusions: Occupational therapy practitioners who work with children can integrate similar assignments into their practice. Such assignments will provide children with the opportunity to discuss and share their opinions and concerns, as well as identify potential barriers ...
Qualitative Psychology, 2021
Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2018
Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, 2012
A review of vocational rehabilitation (VR) data from a Midwestern state was conducted to identify... more A review of vocational rehabilitation (VR) data from a Midwestern state was conducted to identify predictors of rehabilitation outcomes for African American consumers. The database included 37,404 African Americans who were referred or self-referred over a period of five years. Logistic regression analysis indicated that except for age and disability type, none of the other demographic variables were significant predictors of vocational rehabilitation for the individuals in the sample. However, as the amount of money spent on a case increased, the probability of gaining employment increased. Recommendations for VR practice with minority consumers are suggested.
Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 2014
Childhood obesity is a public health epidemic in the United States. Children who are overweight o... more Childhood obesity is a public health epidemic in the United States. Children who are overweight or obese experience multiple physical, emotional, and social challenges in daily life activity (occupational) participation. The profession of occupational therapy addresses children’s current and future health and occupational needs through the ability to participate in everyday life. Presented in this paper is an overview of the role occupational therapy can and does play in meeting the challenges posed by childhood obesity with all children, including those with disabilities. In the context of the research and prevalence data, examples of occupational therapy interventions for school- and community-based settings are examined. Case studies illustrate occupational therapists’ contribution in prevention of and intervention for childhood obesity. Future research and strategies for prevention and health promotion advocating for the occupational health of children are discussed.
Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 1999
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the entire world in unprecedented ways. However, populations t... more The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the entire world in unprecedented ways. However, populations that have had a history of marginalization have experienced a more profound impact. One such group is Latinx families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the Unites States. In this study, we used a mixed methods approach to explore the impact of the pandemic on the mental health and well-being of Latinx caregivers of children with IDD. Specifically, we (1) identified which social determinants of health are correlated with maternal caregivers perceived general health, mental health, and well-being; (2) explored the impact of the pandemic on families’ overall eating and physical activity routines; and (3) identified emergent themes from caregivers’ experiences during the pandemic. Thirty-seven Latinx caregivers participated in three interviews in which several validated instruments were administered. The results indicated that perceived social support, annu...
Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
This systematic review evaluated interventions and relevant outcomes for health promotion and obe... more This systematic review evaluated interventions and relevant outcomes for health promotion and obesity prevention among children and adolescents with developmental disabilities (DD). Twenty-one studies including randomized control trials (n= 9) and quasi-experimental studies (n=12) published between 2010 and 2021 met inclusion criteria related to participant characteristics, intervention type, and child obesity-related outcomes. Five types of intervention programs were identified: aerobic and strength training, sport-based physical activity, aquatic exercise, active video gaming, and diet and lifestyle. Whereas analysis of intervention outcomes, efficacy, and study rigor showed mixed results and weak evidence of effective interventions, this review identified gaps in the literature, promising strategies for addressing obesity in children with DD, and implications for practice and future research.
Behavior and Social Issues
Behavioral community psychology focuses on studying issues that matter to communities, unpacking ... more Behavioral community psychology focuses on studying issues that matter to communities, unpacking contextual factors that impact people's behaviors, and identifying strategies to address such issues. Goal setting is one such strategy often used by behavioral psychologists. Grounded in the values of behavioral community psychology and a behavior analysis paradigm, this study illustrated two case studies of Latinx parents of children with disabilities where goal-setting strategies were implemented to promote behavior change. The first case study focused on the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors and routines among Latinx families of children with disabilities in the United States. The second case study examined goal setting related to youth development by parents of adolescents with disabilities in Colombia. In both cases, participants received training on goal setting and had opportunities to discuss progress toward achieving their goals, share action steps taken, and discuss the contextual challenges or barriers that they experienced. The results indicate that behavioral goal-setting procedures can be effective in helping parents attain their goals and brainstorm strategies for addressing behavioral and contextual challenges. Implications for future research advancing behavioral community psychology are discussed.
Family & Community Health, 2020
Increased walking distance and frequency has been linked to positive health outcomes. Neighborhoo... more Increased walking distance and frequency has been linked to positive health outcomes. Neighborhood walkability disproportionately impacts youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We investigated concerns of Latinx parents of youth with IDD about walkability and their impact on families' walking behavior. We surveyed Latinx parents of youth with IDD (n = 21) and compared results with the general population. Results were triangulated with a focus group (n = 5). Survey data were analyzed using a Mann-Whitney U test, and focus group data via thematic analysis. We found a significant difference (P < .05) between parents of youth with IDD and the general population on perceived aesthetics, opportunity to participate, and satisfaction. Latinx parents and their youth with IDD experience disparities in the safety and pleasantness of their communities for walking, which may contribute to decreased community participation, poorer health outcomes, and lower levels of neighborhood satisfaction among this already vulnerable population.
Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 2010
... Tina Taylor-Ritzlera,* , Fabricio E. Balcazara, Yolanda Suarez-Balcazara, Robert Kilburyb, Fr... more ... Tina Taylor-Ritzlera,* , Fabricio E. Balcazara, Yolanda Suarez-Balcazara, Robert Kilburyb, Francisco Alvaradob and Madelyn Jamesa aUniversity of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA bDivision of Rehabilitation Services, Illinois Department of Human Services, Chicago, IL, USA ...
Oxford Scholarship Online, 2017
Grant writing is an important component of a community psychologist’s career, whether in academia... more Grant writing is an important component of a community psychologist’s career, whether in academia or independent practice. Getting funds to support research projects, secure contracts or to assist community agencies in expanding or continuing programs and services is a critical skill. This chapter discusses the roles of grant writing in community psychologists’ careers, the main types of grants available, the main sources of grant funding, basic principles of proposal writing, and some ethical considerations about grant writing. The authors also explain 12 basic principles of proposal writing in some detail in order to inform the readers of the main components of the process. The authors recommend that graduate programs in community psychology should consider a grant writing class where students can have the experience of grant writing, perhaps as a service to local agencies.
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Papers by Yolanda Suarez-balcazar