We used desk-based tasks to evaluate and clarify the effects of colour lightness differences (Liebmann effect) in patients with left unilateral spatial neglect (USN) following stroke. Participants were 30 adults with USN (16 men and 14 women; mean age = 72.3 years, SD = 8.9 years). They took the ‘Letter Cancellation Test’ of the Japanese version of the Behavioral Inattention Test using two types of paper: black letters with a yellow background (‘black on yellow’) and red letters with a green background (‘red on green’). They also took the Line Bisection Test and their laterality index (LI) was also determined. Paired t-tests were computed comparing the LI by colour displays. LI was higher for ‘black on yellow’ than for ‘red on green’ in patients with mild left USN. However, LI for ‘red on green’ was higher in patients with severe left USN. Colour lightness differences are likely on the left side in patients with relatively mild left USN, but not in those with severe left USN.

The purpose of this study was to validate the Sense of Well-Being Inventory (SWBI), a quality of life measure, for people with spinal cord injury. Four hundred and five participants were recruited from the Canadian Paraplegia Association for this study. The participants were asked to complete a research packet containing a demographic questionnaire, the SWBI, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Acceptance of Disability Scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the SWBI and correlational analyses of the SWBI factors with other psychosocial variables were conducted. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses validated a four-factor structure (financial, family and social, psychological, and physical wellbeing) for the SWBI. SWBI factors are positively related to self-esteem and disability acceptance. With continuing research to document reliability and validity, the SWBI appears to have great potential as a vocational rehabilitation outcome measurement for people with spinal cord injury.

This case study analysed the expert judgments of a rehabilitation counsellor. The counsellor was given 37 accident victims' self-ratings of health, energy, daily activities, self-esteem, personal relations, financial resources and living conditions. The accident victims also rated their own overall quality of life as poor or good. The expert was required to make judgments about whether the quality of life was poor or good in each case and matched the ratings of the accident victims in 64.8% of cases. The results suggest that under conditions of uncertainty and complexity an expert may be more accurate than chance but still fail to use the properties of information to their maximum advantage.

The current study investigated the ability of CogniScreen to differentiate older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from those reporting symptoms of depression. Participants included 140 community-based adults (30 MCI, 15 self-rated depressed, and 95 typical older adults) aged 50–89 years. Intergroup comparisons performed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses suggest tasks within CogniScreen are sensitive to clinically significant memory loss. Data provided partial support for some CogniScreen tasks to also differentiate individuals with MCI from those who are depressed. Results suggest CogniScreen may be potentially useful in screening older adults for early cognitive decline.

This preliminary study sought to explore the link between depression, experiential avoidance and mindfulness in people with a spinal cord injury (SCI). We surveyed patients listed on the SCI database at Royal Perth Hospital who had experienced an injury over the last 10 years. Respondents (62) completed a questionnaire including the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-2; Bond et al., 2007) and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS; Brown & Ryan, 2003). Thirty per cent of participants scored above the cut-off for possible depression, with equal numbers experiencing mild, moderate or severe depression. Mindfulness and experiential avoidance were significantly associated with depression, and were intercorrelated. Further, regression analysis indicated that experiential avoidance mediated the relationship between depression and mindfulness. Our preliminary data suggest that individuals with SCI who are more mindful use less avoidance and have a more positive mood. These results indicate further work in this area is warranted.

The present study examined ways in which progressive disability affects the pursuit of personal goals and how the uncertainty of progressive disability influences life perspectives. A total of 117 individuals with muscular dystrophy responded to two open-ended questions designed to elicit their views on the psychological and behavioural manifestations of progressive disability. Specifically, the study used a three-step phenomenological existential approach to analyse the written responses by the participants (Creswell, 2009). The results indicated that factors such as involuntary early retirement, problems establishing and maintaining romantic relationships; changing personal and career goals, fear of uncertainties, feeling undesirable and unattractive, lack of accessible transportation, and fear of passing on hereditary diseases affect an individual's psychological well-being. The need for around-the-clock care can present a burden that leads to caregiver burnout and resentment. Implications for rehabilitation professionals are provided based upon review of the literature and qualitative data analysis.

The purpose of this study was to: (1) Establish whether or not specific rehabilitation for mild brain injury is effective for return to work; and (2) compare the efficacy of an impairment-focused model of treatment versus an early education approach in respect to ability to return to work. Two different approaches to intervention and treatment for those with a suspected concussion from a work-related injury were utilised by an urban, interdisciplinary, outpatient rehabilitation facility. The first approach, Group Treatment (GT), provided minimal early education at time of initial intake, emphasising an extensive group-focused interdisciplinary assessment and treatment. The second approach, Individualized Education and Treatment, (IET) emphasised early education, instead coupled with specific individualised services. Both groups received employment services. Post-discharge, GT (N = 26) resulted in 46% (n = 12) of individuals returning to competitive employment, while IET (N = 23) resulted in 78% (n = 18) of individuals returning to competitive employment. An asset-oriented early individualised educational approach appears to be a more effective for employment re-engagement.

This study examined the efficacy of an evidence based supportive leadership program to address psychosocial hazards identified in an organisational health review of a pastoral care organisation. Participants were employees and volunteers identified as having supervisory or management roles (N = 24; M = 11, F = 13; Age Range = 24 to 68), including the Senior Leadership Team (SLT; n = 7). The supportive leadership program was implemented over a 12-month period with follow-up over another 12-month period. Organisational health was measured through the use of the Health and Safety Executive Indicator Tool (HSE, 2004b) and qualitative interview data at pre-intervention and at 12- and 24-month follow-up. The results of the HSE Tool were compared over time, utilising the comparison benchmarks provided by the HSE (2004b). Results indicated notable improvements in organisational health within the SLT with reductions in risk status at 24-month follow-up across the domains of Control, Managerial Support, Peer Support, Relationships, Role and Change. Supportive leadership is a key predictor in organisational health and burnout, and importance in improving organisational health across managers.

This study describes a project that aimed to train people with mental illness in introductory research skills to support the development of a Clubhouse. Eight mental health consumers from the Illawarra region in New South Wales, Australia were recruited to participate in the project. The group met weekly over a 10-week period to participate in training sessions. The training program focused on increasing familiarity and confidence with research related activities considered useful for Clubhouse members. Measures related to Familiarity with the Clubhouse model, Clubhouse Role Confidence, Research Self Efficacy, and Familiarity with Research Terminology were completed by six of eight participants before and after training. There were significant improvements in consumer's familiarity with components of the Clubhouse and research terminology. There was also increased confidence in performing roles relevant to research activities in Clubhouse settings but no significant improvements in Research Self efficacy related to more general research skills. There is a need for future research to confirm the findings in larger trials with a control condition.

The study explored and compared employers' concerns on hiring individuals with substance abuse in Chinese and Western work settings. One hundred employers from Beijing (n = 30), Hong Kong (n = 30), and Chicago (n = 40) were randomly recruited from small-sized firms and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guideline. The interview considered the following aspects: backgrounds of employers, their business and employees, hiring process and considerations, and hiring concerns towards people with substance abuse. Data were analysed using frequency count approach. Employers' concerns on hiring individuals with substance abuse in Beijing and Hong Kong focused more on communication abilities. In contrast, employers in Chicago focused more on job performance and productivity.