The goal of this study was to propose a systematic classification of relevant personal factors for describing the background of an individual's life and way of living. The German Society of Social Medicine and Prevention constituted an ICF working group consisting of members from Medical Advisory Boards of Statutory Health Insurances (n = 6) and other institutions (n = 12) in 2009. A two-tier consensus building approach was utilised to construct and document the personal factors, with an initial team of experts compiling the personal factors and a second group of experts, who had not participated in developing the initial proposal, validating the process. The consensus process resulted in personal factors classified into 72 categories and arranged in six chapters as follows: general factors normally unchangeable (chapter 1); a person's inherent physical and mental constitution (chapters 2 and 3); more modifiable factors, such as attitudes, basic skills and behaviour patterns (chapter 4); life situation and socioeconomic/sociocultural factors (chapter 5); and other health factors e.g., prior interventions (chapter 6). We believe the personal factors from this effort to be a good basis for a wider global dialogue on their operationalisation.

This study examined the relationship between sickness absence from work, loss of the benefits of employment, and depression in injured workers. A sample of 112 clients of Australian occupational rehabilitation service providers were the participants: (men = 56; women = 56; mean age = 45.25 years, SD = 10.34). Each had a chronic (>3 months) work-related musculoskeletal injury; 49% were sickness absent (n = 55) and 51% were partially fit and performing modified duties (n = 57). All completed self-report measures of the nature and duration of sickness absence, access to the benefits of employment, and severity of depression symptoms. Bootstrapping mediational analyses found that the relationship between duration of sickness absence and depression was fully mediated by financial strain and psychosocial benefits of employment. Financial strain was also the strongest predictor of depression in circumstances of sickness absence, but collective purpose was the strongest predictor when modified duties were being performed. These findings support injury management policies aimed at minimising injured workers' social and physical separation from the workplace and assisting sickness absent workers to maintain connections with their work team.

This study investigated the relationships among stress, intrapersonal resiliency factors (self-esteem, locus of control, and optimism) and quality of life [QOL] (physical health and mental health) among caregivers of children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASDs). Participants consisted of 113 caregivers of children with HFASDs (males = 38.1%, females = 61.9%; age range = 27–62; 93.6% Caucasians) and 47 caregivers of typically developing children (males = 29.8%; females = 70.2%; age range = 30–56; 93.3% Caucasians). They completed a set of self-rating surveys on perceived locus of control, self-esteem, optimism, and QOL. Within-group inferential statistical analyses were applied. For the HFASD group analyses, two simultaneous regression analyses were used to study the independent effects of the three intrapersonal variables on the physical health and mental health QOL of the caregivers. Intrapersonal factors predicted self-reported mental health QOL but not physical health QOL in caregivers of children with HFASDs.

Objective. The study examined the evidence for the influence of chronic pain on proximal work participation behaviours important for job retention such as presenteeism, absenteeism and job satisfaction.

Method. A comprehensive literature search was undertaken using various databases including PsycINFO, Medline, Scopus and other sources which resulted in the identification of 353 articles of which 15 articles were chosen for analysis and inclusion. Eligibility was based on a mixed methodological framework using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist.

Results. There is evidence to suggest that chronic pain influences work participation qualities including absenteeism, presenteeism and job satisfaction. Personality and work content factors mediate the relationship between chronic pain and the proximal work participation variables.

Conclusion. Interventions targeting proximal work context behaviours appear to hold promise for long-term work participation by people with chronic pain. Rehabilitation interventions for job retention with chronic pain will likely be successful with attention to ongoing, changeable work participation behaviours that predict job retention.

This article provides a scoping review with a focus on the substantive and methodological issues of the research pertaining to couple and family therapy (CFT) with five physical medical rehabilitation populations. We searched for literature concerned with five populations: spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and amputations. A detailed review of CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases identified 14 publications that researched couple/family therapy interventions with these populations. We synthesised the data by outlining and charting the substantive and methodological issues with this research. Findings suggest that individuals who have sustained an injury or are diagnosed with an illness requiring extensive rehabilitation experience increased relationship distress and decreased family functioning. While the literature clearly points to the impact on spouses and families, CFT was primarily used to engage families in efforts to assist health care workers improve physical functioning.

This article uses a descriptive case study design to examine the potential of narrative therapy as a direct intervention for adults with moderate-to-severe intellectual disabilities, autism and/or severe communication limitations. Archival clinical data on four individuals who received a form of social constructionist narrative therapy are examined for goal attainment. The data were analysed qualitatively with specific input from individuals, their families and carers. Findings indicate improvements in quality of life through reductions in situational and environmental anxieties, and in coping with grief and loss. The results suggest that narrative therapy techniques can be beneficial in assisting individuals with severe intellectual disability to achieve meaningful and persistent improvements in their life.

This study explored the consumer-reported communication patterns between rehabilitation professionals and ethnically diverse clients who are parents of children with developmental disabilities. Informants were Korean American mothers (n = 10) of children with developmental disabilities (n = 10) who were receiving services from a community rehabilitation agency. Interview data were collected and thematically analysed. The findings suggest that Korean American mothers were not likely to openly discuss possible options for their children with their rehabilitation counsellor. About 60% of participants stated that they worked with at least one counsellor whose communication they felt was ineffective. The findings of this study are congruent with the previous research findings that Koreans emphasize e harmonious relationships. Multicultural competences are important for counsellors with culturally and linguistically diverse clients.

This study investigated the efficacy of a character strengths and gratitude intervention to reduce pain in people with chronic back pain. Eight participants (males = 4, females = 4) took part in a cross-over multi-baseline study over 5‒7 weeks. Comparisons were made for intervention efficacy effects by contrasting a character strengths approach with a comparison condition premised on positive memories. Daily measures were used to assess mood (happiness, sadness, anger) and pain. In addition, measures of happiness, depression, anxiety, pain catastrophising and pain were collected at each phase. The results indicated improved daily happiness and significantly reduced daily anger following the character strengths and gratitude intervention. This provides preliminary evidence that daily focusing on positive aspects of one's emotional experience benefits those with chronic back pain.

This study explores accessibility to public transport facilities and participation in work life experienced by persons with physical and cognitive impairments. Participants were 21 persons with mobility (n = 6), neuropsychiatric (n = 6), hearing (n = 7), or visual impairments (n = 2) (males = 11, females = 10; age range = 16 to 79). Data were collected using focus group discussions and thematically analysed. The findings point to significant physical, social/attitudinal and communication limitations to the access of public transportation and participation in work life. While participants with physical impairments emphasised lack of accessibility in terms of transport accommodations, persons with neuropsychiatric impairments focused on the social and interactional aspects of public transport. Work life participation was mostly impacted by lack of flexibility in work tasks and work organisation, and fear of being misunderstood and perceived as incapable.

This study investigated fatigue and anger in people with SCI. Participants were 27 adults with SCI living in the community (males = 26, females = 1; mean age = 50 years, SD = 9.47 years) and a comparison group of 27 other adults without SCI. Data about their experience of fatigue and anger were collected using the Chalder Fatigue Scale and the Profile of Mood States. Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA by ranks and chi-square analyses were used to determine whether the SCI participants had elevated levels of fatigue and anger than the typical or noninjured community group. Persons with SCI reported significantly elevated fatigue and elevated levels of anger than typical others. These findings are discussed with reference to adjustment following SCI, and interpreted in light of the Stress Appraisal and Coping Model (SAC) of adjustment following SCI.