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Opportunities for clinical mental health counselors to practice in interprofessional settings are likely to increase as the larger health care system in the United States evolves. While aspects of interprofessionalism are embedded in the codes of ethics of the counseling profession, discussion of identity has primarily been focused on intraprofessional identity. To concurrently assess intraprofessional identity, interprofessionalism, and interprofessional identity, a study was conducted with clinical mental health counselors (CMHCs) using the Professional Identity Scale in Counseling–Short Form (PISC-S) and the University of West of England Interprofessional Questionnaire (UWE IPQ). Results indicated that CMHCs place importance on both intra- and interprofessional identity, although they have more confidence in their intraprofessional identity. A high degree of correlation was found between the PISC-S and UWE IPQ, indicating the interrelatedness of these aspects of identity. Results can be used to inform interprofessional education and identity development models for the CMHC profession.

Researchers interested in registered sex offenders (RSOs) and sex offender registration and community notification laws (SORN) legislation have noted that there is a perpetual moral panic associate...

Background Patient perspectives on new programs to manage metabolic syndrome (MetS) are critical to evaluate for possible implementation in the primary healthcare system. Participants’ perspectives were sought for the Canadian Health Advanced by Nutrition and Graded Exercise (CHANGE) study, which enrolled 293 participants, and demonstrated 19% reversal of MetS after 1 year. The main purpose of this study was to examine participants’ perceptions of their experiences with the CHANGE program, enablers and barriers to change. Methods A convergent parallel mixed methods design combined patients’ perspectives collected by questionnaires (n = 164), with insights from focus groups (n = 41) from three sites across Canada. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed using interpretative description. Insights were organized within a socio-ecologic framework. Results Key aspects identified by participants included intra-individual factors (personal agency, increased time availability), inter-individual factors (trust, social aspects) and organizational factors (increased mental health support, tailored programs). Conclusion Results revealed participants’ overall support for the CHANGE program, especially the importance of an extended program under the guidance of a family physician along with a skilled and supportive team. Team delivery of a lifestyle program in primary care or family medicine clinics is a complex intervention and use of a mixed methods design was helpful for exploring patient experiences and key issues on enablers and barriers to health behavior change. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12875-018-0837-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

College students are engaged in a variety of activities on campus, some of which are deviant and may be criminal. This research investigated 12 activities prohibited on many college campuses (for e...

Originally intended to decrease sexual victimization by increasing community awareness of convicted sex offenders, sex offender registration and notification laws have been shown to produce numerous unintended consequences for both registrants and their family members (FMs). In many cases, these unintended consequences may actually increase sexual reoffending risk by reducing offenders’ informal social control and inhibiting successful postconviction reintegration. The current study examines two such consequences, shame and social isolation, using a sample of 109 registered sex offenders and 116 sex offender FMs ( N = 225). Although prior research has documented the existence of shame and social isolation within both populations, to date, there have been no systematic attempts to examine variation between groups. We found that the degree of social isolation and shame does significantly differ between registered sex offenders and their FMs, with registered sex offenders reporting higher levels of both social isolation and shame compared to FMs at the bivariate level. Using ordinary least squares regression analysis, we determined that attitudinal variables (disrespect and unfair sanctions) were the most salient predictors of participants’ perceived intensity of social isolation and shame.

As interest in registered sex offenders proves to be a popular topic among community members, the media, and legislators alike, researchers must continue to examine the experiences of this offender group. Sex offender registration and community notification laws are diverse across states, creating a difficult and confusing environment for registered sex offenders post-conviction. Often, registered sex offenders report experiences with social stigmatization and physical isolation from their communities as a result of their labeled status. This leads them to be distrustful of outsiders; researchers included. This paper examines the experiences of researchers who have conducted three quantitative and qualitative research projects focused on registered sex offenders and life on the registry. In addition to highlighting the challenges in conducting this type of research, this paper provides a discussion of four specific challenges that may occur when gathering data from community sex offender samples, ...

This research partially tests Akers’ social structure-social learning theory (SSSL). The data was collected online through a self-report questionnaire and nearly half (48.8%) of the sample of 812 college students reported visiting a porn site. To better understand this self-report behavior, bivariate correlations and three binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. In Model A, participants who were male, Hispanic, had more years in college, and more inclined toward homosexuality had an increased likelihood of visiting a porn site. In Model B, again, gender, ethnicity, year in school, and the sexuality scale were significant predictors. However, race appeared as significant for the first time along with number of sex partners, and frequency of masturbation, indicating that participants who were Black, had a greater number of sexual partners, and masturbated more frequently had an increased likelihood of visiting porn site. As with the first and second models, gender, race, sexuality scale, and frequency of masturbation were significant predictors in Model C. Additionally, differential peer association, differential reinforcement, and definitions favorable were significant, indicating that participants who had greater association with peers who viewed porn, who had observed someone watching porn and decided to mimic their behaviors, and who had defined visiting porn sites favorably had an increased likelihood of visiting a porn site. Overall, Akers’ SLT variables fully mediated ethnicity, year in school, and number of sex partners, but it only partially mediated gender, race, and sexuality scale.

Teaching a course on sexual offenders presents instructors with a variety of challenges, including teaching students who may be sexual assault victims. Faculty must work to overcome preconceived, often erroneous, student beliefs about sex offenders, which have been influenced by the media’s reporting on the subject. This paper is the result of teaching undergraduate and graduate class on sexual offending for thirteen semesters. This article serves as an instructional tool to create a balanced class structure that prepares the instructor on how to remain unbiased and objective in the face of emotional, political, and religious opposition from the students. Specific subject topics, course material, assignments, and in-class activities are examined as a learning platform to disseminate information on sex offending and the sex offender registry.

The Jerry Sandusky scandal erupted nationally in November 2011, dragging with it accusations of child molestation, manipulation, perjury, and ultimately a blatant disregard for the suffering of 10 young victims. This article examines how senior university officials covered up the scandal and inevitably allowed Sandusky to continue molesting children for over 15 years. University officials broke the law by failing to report the abuses, and later when they lied to the investigating grand jury assigned to the case. Using Sykes and Matza’s techniques of neutralization, we explain how university officials downplayed these victimizations to preserve the reputation of Penn State.

This essay focuses on the media’s response to sex crimes, how news reporting can affect people’s perceptions of sex offenders, and how all of these issues are connected to the development of law. The rate of sex crimes has been steadily declining for the past 20 years, and official rates of recidivism for sex offenders are actually low compared to other types of offenders, but the media tend to ignore these facts. Many people become oversaturated by the news, and continuous reporting can cause panic in viewers. The type of information that the media report increases people’s concern that they, or a close family member, might become a victim of a sex offense. With the fear increased—making the topic relevant in our culture—media outlets then spend more time reporting on such issues because people are interested and the stories will sell.

Through the community notification and sex offender registry laws that have been passed, the USA has created a strict legal environment that requires sex offenders to remain in compliance with the registry requirements placed on them by the state once they are released back into their communities. A variety of unintended consequences, such as unemployment and housing issues, have resulted from these laws and have the potential to impact the reentry efforts of released sex offenders. Using Sherman’s defiance theory as a theoretical lens, the current study examines the experiences of registered female sex offenders living in Florida. One hundred and six registered female sex offenders were surveyed to examine their experiences while on the registry, and whether those events influence feelings of defiance toward the registry and criminal justice systems. Results suggest that these offenders indeed experience unintended consequences due to their registration status, which in turn shows support for the four ca...

Technology has shifted some human interactions to the virtual world. For many young adults, sexual encounters now occur through virtual means, as social media, picture exchanges, sexually explicit Web sites, and video chatting have become popular alternative outlets for these activities to occur. This study used the self-report responses of 812 undergraduate students (282 men and 530 women), collected from an online survey. In addition to using 10 personal demographic control variables, this study used five sexual activity/relationship characteristics (number of sexual partners, relationship status, age to first use pornography, frequency of sexual activity/intercourse, and frequency of masturbation), and the four constructs of Akers' social learning theory (identified as differential association, differential reinforcement, imitation/modeling, and definitions favorable) to predict a seven-item count of deviant cyber-sexual activities, and two measures of "sexting" behaviors. Gender, self-esteem, sexual orientation, race, and religion were strongly significant predictors in the models, but Akers' four elements of social learning performed the strongest in predicting the two measures of sexting and the overall deviant cyber-sexual activities scale. This finding indicates that peer associations and peer reinforcements have a strong influence on individuals' willingness to engage in deviant cyber-sexual activities. This study explored different avenues for young adults' engagement in sexual deviancy and the results suggest that sexual behaviors performed in-person may not be the strongest predictors of online sexual behavior.

This study examined the perceptions of gerontological occupational therapists and their experiences with ageism in their practice. Sixteen gerontological occupational therapists participated in this interpretive inquiry study. Semistructured interviews along with written responses to focused questions were used to obtain the data. Constant comparative analysis of transcripts and written responses generated themes. Two contextual influences impacting the work experience were noteworthy: (a) person-level (i.e., societal, colleagues, clinicians themselves) attitudes and values and (b) organizational constraints. Findings indicated participants perceived a presence of covert discrimination toward seniors, health professionals who work with seniors, and the organizations that provide service to this population. Participants recognized ageism within their own behaviors. The presence of ageism and its impact were examined in three areas: attitudes within our profession, occupational therapy discourses, a...

Occupational therapists collaborate with family members when working with older clients. An understanding of the complexities within family–therapist relationships can optimize health care for older adults. This interpretive inquiry study used interviews and written responses to focused questions from 16 occupational therapists to describe insights of their interactions with family members of older clients. The analysis was performed using constant comparative approach. Exploration of the family–therapist relationships were situated in therapists’ stories and clinical experiences. Participants described challenges such as differing views, elder abuse, and cognitive impairment in the caregiver. This paper highlights the intricacies of family–therapist partnerships and therapists’ need for support. Strategies for optimal family–therapist relationships are discussed in the context of the results and the literature.

By the year 2020, 20% of the Canadian population is expected to be over the age of 65 (Statistics Canada, 1997). It is important that future clinicians are prepared to meet the increased demand for occupational therapy services by older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the present status of gerontological content within Canadian occupational therapy programs. A survey was sent out to all twelve entry-level occupational therapy university programs in Canada via electronic mail. This survey asked questions about the programs' focus on gerontological content within their coursework and clinical fieldwork. All ten responding programs indicated that they had gerontological content within their curricula. However, the amount and content varied throughout the programs.

For those convicted of a sexual offense, life on the registry is not an easy one. There is a great deal of stigma associated with these offenders despite the fact they served their sentences and were released back into society. Current research examines what life is like for female sex offenders whose information is listed on the Florida Sex Offender Registry. Using Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory as a lens to examine the registry, this article will show the stress present in the lives of the registrants. Specifically, the article will address coping mechanisms, anger, and several unintended consequences of the registry, such as unemployment, housing problems, and experiencing harassing behaviors, all of which are a result of the participants’ registry status. Research findings, policy implications, and limitations are discussed.

Seniors living within long term care facilities have higher incidences of frailness, chronic disease, and deterioration as compared with seniors living in the community. There is increasing evidence within the literature that some of this deterioration is caused by the very facilities they are living in. This article discusses the iatrogenic factors associated with living in long term care facilities and the consequences of such factors on older adults. Following this, an exploration of the relevancy of this issue for occupational therapists will take place. Occupational therapists must be particularly alert to the dangers of iatrogenic effects and be concerned with making changes within the long term care system to prevent further harm to older adults and work on promoting an environment that promotes optimal health.

RÉSUMÉL’objectif de cette étude utilisant des méthodes mixtes était d’examiner l’impact du changement organisationnel sur les résultats pour les patients et les expériences du personnel dans un programme de réadaptation pour les personnes âgées. La restructuration du programme a mis l’accent sur la réduction de la longueur du séjour des patients et l’augmentation de l’admission dans le programme de réhabilitation. Les résultats de cette étude ont révélé que les patients admis après la restructuration, par rapport à la periode avant cette restructuration, ont connu des séjours plus courts, et pourtant ont réalisé des progrès similaires vers la réadaptation. Les scores moyens à la décharge, Mesure d’indépendence fonctionnelle (MIF), ne diffèrent pas significativement entre ces deux périodes. Pourtant, les scores d’efficience MIF sont améliorés après la restructuration. Avec cette réorganisation, le personnel de réadaptation ont déclaré travailler plus fort pour aider les patients à obtenir des résultats, même si, au départ, le personnel a signalé un abaissement de moral. Ces résultats étendent la littérature actuelle et offrent des implications pratiques pour les professionnels de la santé qui sont intéressés à faciliter le changement organisationnel réussi.

Three young children diagnosed with autism did not reliably locate objects in the environment on the basis of an adult's gaze shifts. A training program designed to teach gaze following used the activation of remote controlled mechanical toys as both prompts and consequences. Over several training sessions, toy activation was progressively delayed following the adult's gaze-shift cues. All of the children eventually came to anticipate the toy activation and locate the target object on the basis of the adult's gaze-shift cue alone. Discrimination of another person's gaze direction is discussed in relation to joint attention deficits in children with autism.

Background. Most health care professions are reviewing issues related to the changing nature of professional education and practice. Social work, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, audiology, and recently occupational therapy, have raised the entry-level training requirements to the graduate level to enhance formal education programs. Purpose and Scope. In the past few years, this trend has generated considerable debate and discussion within the occupational therapy profession both in Canada and internationally. In November, 2001 the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) announced that Canadian universities must convert to entry-level Master's programs by 2008 to receive re-accreditation (CAOT, 2002a). This paper describes the historical evolution of Canadian occupational therapy education, outlines several issues within occupational therapy that are impacting the move, and discusses benefits and challenges to Master's level training. Practice Implications. Recommendations are presented for the development of Master's entry-level occupational therapy training programs in Canada.