Rehabilitation Education 

About: Rehabilitation Education is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Rehabilitation counseling & Counselor education. It has an ISSN identifier of 0889-7018. Over the lifetime, 136 publications have been published receiving 1265 citations.

A Qualitative Exploration of African-Americans' Attitudes Toward Mental Illness and Mental Illness Treatment Seeking

Abstract: This article presents data from a qualitative study of mental illness attitudes and mental health service use in a community sample of African-Americans (N=70). Specifically, we examined cultural factors that shape community norms, including mental illness stigma, attitudes and behaviors. Focus groups were used to examine the influence of culture on broad thematic categories associated with mental illness and mental health service use. The following five thematic categories were examined: (a) descriptive terms and causes of mental illness, (b) cultural norms regarding mental health, (c) attitudes toward mental health service use (d) presence and determinants of mental illness stigma, and (e) strategies for reducing mental illness stigma and increasing access and use of mental health services. Thematic categories were selected based on the applicability of the information for education and stigma reduction intervention programs. Study findings have relevance for the development of culturally appropriate education and stigma change interventions for African-Americans.

Chinese and American Perspectives on Stigma

Abstract: This paper discusses the Chinese and American perspectives on stigma. We review Chinese lay theories on disability and describe their impact on stigma and stereotype formation. These lay theories are understood on the basis of Chinese beliefs and values: Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, shame and guilt, and dialectical thinking. An understanding of these lay theories can help researcher and educators better understand observed differences in cognition and behavior between Chinese and American cultures and, thus, provide a means of comprehending and reducing confusions and conflicts between groups. Research findings on Chinese and American differential attitudes and implications for rehabilitation education and curriculum development are also discussed.

Contemporary Issues Facing Rehabilitation Counseling: A Delphi Study of the Perspectives of Leaders of the Discipline

Abstract: Challenges to the profession of rehabilitation counseling have frequently been cited in the rehabilitation counseling literature, but little empirical evidence exists about the perceptions of the field’s leadership regarding the current critical issues of importance to the field. This study reports the results of a Delphi study that elicited consensus opinions among the field’s leadership about issues critical to the field of rehabilitation counseling. Despite some variation in the degree of importance ascribed to the issues identified by participants, 41 of the 42 issues identified by participants were considered to be important in the final rounds of the study. These issues can be thematically classified into five domains: (a) professional identity and recognition; (b) changes in service delivery systems; (c) education and training issues; (d) research; and (e) professional association issues. Implications for the field of rehabilitation counseling are discussed.