Perceptions of Wellness From Adults With Mobility Impairments

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of wellness from adults with mobility impairments by using phenomenological‐heuristic inquiry. The primary research question was, how do adults with mobility impairments perceive wellness? Eight participants were interviewed, and 6 core themes emerged: overcoming barriers, pain management, psychological wellness, physical activity and nutrition, social connectedness and family support, and spirituality. Implications for counselors and counselor educators and suggestions for future research are presented.     

The Visibility and Invisibility of Arab Americans and Implications for Psychological Treatment: A Comment on Cho

The following is a commentary on “Ethical Considerations for Psychologists Providing Treatment for Arab Americans” (Cho, this issue). Cho (this issue) brings to light important issues on providing ethical treatment with the Arab American community. However, there is currently no formal mechanism to identify the number of Americans of Arab descent, thus impacting the ability of researchers to study psychological treatment with Arab Americans. In addition, many Arab Americans are refugees with exposure to trauma, highlighting the need for understanding the role of culture in trauma when working with this community. Implications of these issues pertinent to the Arab American community and the need for psychologists to act in advocacy roles are discussed.     

Doing advocacy from a feminist standpoint

Abstract

Feminist Standpoint theory contends that all research is partial, located, and interested. It argues that research should start from the standpoint of the disadvantaged and work toward social change. Following a brief exploration of the perspective, this article explores some of the ways that feminists pursue advocacy. The article reviews two methodological approaches employed by Feminist Standpoint researchers: Community Action Research and Institutional Ethnography. Turning to examine the work of several feminist scholars who study religion, we see that there is no one way that they do advocacy. There is considerable variation in choice of subject (who feminists advocate for) and audience (who feminists advocate to), as well as in the forms that advocacy takes. Finally, the article suggests that for these scholars of religion, being an advocate is an important identity that they bring to their work.     

Creating Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual,and Transgender Allies: Testing a Model of Privilege Investment

Participants were assigned to 1 of 4 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ally‐development conditions; then, they completed measures of prejudice and propensity for social justice behavior. A structural equation model uncovered that propensity for social justice behavior was negatively related to prejudice and positively related to the emotional impact of experiences with discrimination in other domains of identity. Women, people of color, and individuals of lower social classes had the highest propensity for social justice behavior and the lowest prejudice.     

The Danish Biofuel Debate: Coupling Scientific and Politico-Economic Claims

What role does scientific claims-making play in the worldwide promotion of biofuels for transport, which continues despite serious concerns about its potentially adverse social and environmental effects? And how do actors with very different and conflicting viewpoints on the benefits and drawbacks of biofuels enrol scientific authority to support their positions? The sociological theory of functional differentiation combined with the concept of advocacy coalition can help in exploring this relationship between scientific claims-making and the policy stance of different actors in public debates about biofuels. In Denmark two distinct scientific perspectives about biofuels map onto the policy debates through articulation by two competing advocacy coalitions. One is a reductionist biorefinery perspective originating in biochemistry and neighbouring disciplines. This perspective works upwards from the molecular level and envisions positive synergies in the use of biomass. The other is a holistic bioscarcity perspective originating in life-cycle analysis and ecology. This perspective works downwards from global resource scope conditions, and envisions negative consequences from an increased reliance on biomass. Understanding how these scientific perspectives and policy stances are coupled sheds light on three contentious policy questions: how Denmark should include biomass in its energy provision, what role Denmark might play in the global development of biofuels and what kind of subsidy schemes should be implemented.     

The Master of Arts in Child Advocacy

Abstract

Recent heinous examples of child neglect and abuse in the State of New Jersey have called into question how public child welfare workers are trained. The author, in collaboration with the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) and other experts in the field of child welfare, worked on the development of a new degree that would more appropriately educate these workers. This paper discusses the development of the Master of Arts of Child Advocacy and its optional Concentration in Public Child Welfare and offers its curriculum as an alternative to the Master of Arts of Social Work (MSW). Child Advocacy is also explored as a new and emerging discipline.     

The Need for Action When Conducting Intervention Research: The Multiple Roles of Community Psychologists

In choosing to implement empowering interventions with marginalized populations, community psychologists often have to merge research and action. We present three case stories that exemplify empowerment efforts in the context of a multi-year school intervention designed to develop the advocacy skills of ethnic minority students' with disabilities and promote attainment of transition-related goals. In the process of implementing the intervention, our research team had to instigate change, advocate, and/or mediate in multiple conflictual interactions between the various stakeholders in the schools. We faced both positive and negative consequences for our actions. We discuss the responsibilities of community psychologists in the process of empowering others and the implications for the practice of community research.     

Predicting Re-Victimization of Battered Women 3 Years After Exiting a Shelter Program

This study examined interpersonal and ecological predictors of re-victimization of a sample of women with abusive partners. All women (N = 124) had sought refuge from a battered women’s shelter 3 years earlier, and half the sample had been randomly assigned to receive free, short-term advocacy services immediately upon exit from the shelter. Results 2 years post-intervention revealed positive change in the lives of participants (C. M. Sullivan & D. Bybee, 1999), including a decrease in abuse for women who had worked with advocates. The current study examined intervention effects 3 years after the program ended, as well as other predictors of re-abuse. Nineteen percent of the original sample had experienced domestic violence between 2 and 3 years after shelter exit (65% by current partners, 35% by ex-partners). The advocacy program’s effect on risk of re-victimization did not continue 3 years post-intervention. However, having worked with an advocate 3 years prior continued to have a positive impact on women’s quality of life and level of social support. The risk of being abused 3 years post-shelter stay was exacerbated by a number of factors present 1 year prior, including women’s (1) having experienced abuse in the 6 months before that point; (2) having difficulties accessing resources; (3) having problems with the state welfare system; and (4) having people in their social networks who made their lives difficult. Women were at less risk of abuse if, 1 year earlier, they (1) were employed; (2) reported higher quality of life; and (3) had people in their networks who provided practical help and/or were available to talk about personal matters. These findings support the hypothesis that access to resources and social support serve as protective factors against continued abuse.     

An Ethical Imperative: Effectively Reducing SGM Disparities Utilizing a Multi-Level Intervention Approach

Health disparities for sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations are well documented and manifest systemically. Mental health professionals have begun working to address these disparities, demonstrating efforts to more effectively define and increase competency in SGM health and by adapting existing evidence-based interventions to more effectively target the unique needs of the SGM community. While such efforts are necessary, they inadequately address the systemic nature of the problem, placing an unnecessary burden on SGM individuals to tolerate systemic discrimination, injustice, and inequality. The current special series attempts to address this gap by featuring papers that describe multilevel (e.g., micro, mezzo, macro) intervention approaches to reduce SGM health disparities. We argue that advocacy is inherent to the work, and we hope that this special series will empower mental health professionals to engage in multilevel, systemic interventions as an ethical imperative.     

Sleep and Aging: Challenges and Recommendations for Middle‐Aged and Older Adults

Understanding and alleviating sleep problems for middle‐aged and older adults is addressed through discussion of the following topics: age‐related sleep changes; gender considerations; interactions among sleep, mental health, and physical illness; lifestyle and sleep; and assessment and treatment recommendations.