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This study compared college students' (N = 260) responses on a simple dichotomous screening measure and 2 behavior checklists. Seventy-nine participants (30.4%) screened positive (i.e., endorsed nonsuicidal self-injury [NSSI] behavior) on at least 1 measure, and 37 (46.8%) screened positive on the simple screen. Participants who screened positive on the simple screen reported more forms and instances of NSSI than did those who screened positive only on the checklist measures. They also reported significantly greater psychological distress compared with all other participant groups.

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. Individuals with disabilities are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and deaths by suicide, therefore, it is imperative that vocational rehabilitation (VR) support staff be knowledgeable and skilled at interacting with people in crisis. This survey explores the suicide-related knowledge, comfort, and competency in a multistate sample of 93 VR support staff. Almost 90% of the sample reported having worked with suicidal clients, with over a third reporting doing so more than once per year. However, less than a third of participants reported having received training on suicide. Participants were generally knowledgeable about suicide and willing to ask about suicide and work with suicidal clients but rated themselves low in both overall suicide assessment and crisis intervention competency and in specific skills. Implications for research and practice are discussed., Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States in 2017 and was responsible for over 47,000 American deaths that year (Drapeau & Mcintosh, 2018). Furthermore, suicide [...]

Although the phenomenon of disability-related abuse has been well-documented in adults with disabilities, the occurrence of disability-related abuse in childhood has not been studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish proof of concept for childhood disability-related abuse. American adults (n = 485) retrospectively report on physical, sexual, and disability-related abuse that they experienced before the age of 18. The sample consisted of 382 participants with no disability, 55 participants with an adult-onset disability, and 48 participants with a childhood-onset disability. Disability-related abuse was conceptualized as involving either (a) the denial of assistive technology or (b) the denial of care, permission, or assistance with an activity of self-care. Childhood denial of assistive technology was rare in all groups (1.3%-2.1%), but denial of care, assistance, or permission was significantly higher in the childhood-onset disability group (20.8%) than either the adult-onset (7.3%) or no-disability (6.5%) groups. The three groups did not significantly differ in the rates of reported childhood physical or sexual abuse. This study provides preliminary proof-of-concept evidence for childhood disability-related abuse, particularly denial of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies attest to the prevalence and complex negative consequences associated with military sexual trauma (MST). However, relatively less is known about male survivors and about the interaction of psychological problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and emotion management difficulties following MST. The current study examined the path of psychological distress following MST in both male and female veterans. We predicted that (a) history of MST would predict more severe PTSD symptoms, which in turn would predict greater use of dysfunctional emotion management strategies (specifically, tension reduction behaviors) and that (b) PTSD symptoms would mediate the relationship between history of MST and tension reduction behaviors. Finally, we explored whether the indirect (i.e., mediating) effect was moderated by gender. Data were obtained from pretreatment paper and pencil assessments administered as part of standard clinical care from 338 veterans seeking treatment at a Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health specialty clinic. Veterans who endorsed MST experienced more severe PTSD symptoms and greater reported use of tension reduction behaviors. Bootstrapping testing the indirect effect revealed that PTSD symptoms mediated the relationship between history of MST and tension reduction behaviors. An exploratory moderated mediation analysis found that the indirect effect did not differ as a function of gender. PTSD symptoms appear to mediate the relationship between MST and tension reduction behaviors in veterans, regardless of gender. While previous research has suggested that civilian men report a greater number of tension reduction behaviors following a sexual assault compared to civilian women, we did not find the same gender differences among veterans. These results may provide support for using trauma-focused treatment even when MST survivors are reporting high-risk tension reduction behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the high prevalence of suicide among people with disabilities, little research has explored suicide in the context of the vocational rehabilitation (VR) system. We analyzed the responses of 27 VR counselors who responded to an open-ended qualitative prompt regarding their experiences with suicide training and competency. Key themes included a desire for more training on suicide and the experience of seeking and receiving suicide training and experience outside of VR. Responses also underscored the heavy emotional impact of working with suicidal clients, especially when one feels unprepared to do so. These results suggest that it is important to provide VR counselors with resources and training for addressing suicide in their client populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the contribution of disability status to suicidality when accounting for depression and sociodemographic risk factors in 438 American adults, 82 (18.7%) of whom identified as having disabilities. Participants with disabilities had significantly higher depression scores and were more likely to be unemployed and unpartnered, all of which were also associated with increased suicidality. However, disability remained a significant predictor of suicidality even when depression and sociodemographic risk factors were accounted for in a linear regression. Other significant predictors of suicidality in this regression were female gender, depression symptoms, and family and friend suicide history; identifying as a member of a religion was a significant protective factor against suicidality. Our findings suggest that the contribution of disability to suicidality goes beyond that which can be explained by increased depression symptoms and sociodemographic vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the high prevalence of suicide both overall and among people with disabilities in particular, little research has explored suicide in the context of the vocational rehabilitation (VR) system or in counseling support staff in general. We analyzed the responses of 14 VR support staff who responded to an open-ended qualitative prompt regarding their experiences with suicide training and competency. Key themes included a perceived lack of and desire for more training regarding suicide, seeking and receiving suicide training outside of VR, and a perceived lack of resources for working with suicidal clients. Responses also underscored the heavy emotional impact of working with these clients, especially when one feels unprepared to do so. These results suggest that it is important to provide VR support staff with resources and training for addressing suicide in their client populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the internal consistency, overall mean scores, and response patterns of 485 American adults, including 92 who identified as people with disabilities, on the Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire–Revised (SBQ-R). The measure demonstrated acceptable internal consistency in both groups. Participants with disabilities had higher mean total scores as well as more concerning response patterns on SBQ-R items assessing suicide attempts, plans, recent suicidal ideation, and perceived likelihood of future suicide attempts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed the psychometric properties of two published self-report suicide assessment competency rating scales – the Suicide Competency Inventory (SCI) and the Suicide Competency Assessment Form (SCAF) – in a sample of 93 public-sector vocational rehabilitation support staff from six states in the United States. Both measures demonstrated very good to excellent internal consistency in our sample. Exploratory factor analysis with principal axis factoring indicated the SCI loads on a two-factor model in this sample, as opposed to the three-factor model proposed by the measure's authors. The SCAF loaded on a single factor, consistent with the theoretical model proposed by the original authors. The SCI and SCAF were highly correlated with each other, providing initial evidence of convergent construct validity. These results provide initial support for the use of these measures as a reliable and valid means of assessing perceived suicide assessment competency in vocational rehabilitation support staff. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective/Purpose: Historically, psychology trainees from marginalized communities have been underrepresented both as researchers and as participants in research on trainee experiences and outcomes. The current research can be used to develop evidence-based strategies to understand and improve the recruitment, retention, advancement, and overall training experiences of trainees with marginalized identities. Method: We review the existing literature on the experiences of psychology trainees, particularly that focused on trainees from marginalized backgrounds. Results: Quantitative, qualitative, and archival data collection and analysis methods each carry their own benefits and limitations, which must be considered and addressed intentionally to optimize the impact of research findings for multiply marginalized individuals. Mixed methods approaches are also discussed. Matching each limitation with a research design strategy is recommended, including the use of sample weights from population archival data to contextualize sample results, incorporating flexibility for reasonable accommodations for intensive qualitative studies, and other strategies. Conclusions/Implications: We provide guidance on selecting a methodology based on specific research and dissemination goals within this area and discuss implications and recommendations for both rehabilitation psychology specifically and the field more broadly. Training programs, governing bodies, faculty, researchers, and other invested parties have shared accountability to deliver diverse, equitable, and inclusive education and training experiences, and conducting high-quality research on the experiences of multiply marginalized trainees, including those with disabilities, is a key component of that process. Impact and Implications: Diversity, equity, and inclusion are increasingly recognized as a critical part of psychology, including psychology training. A key part of these efforts involves understanding the representation and experiences of psychology trainees from marginalized groups, including those who have disabilities and multiple marginalized identities. In this article, we discuss the benefits and limitations of different strategies for conducting research on the representation and experiences of marginalized trainees, so that knowledge of this important topic can be increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, male sex workers (MSW) are among the most vulnerable populations at higher risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and may seek health care services less frequently. A community-based sample of 100 MSW in Chennai, India, completed a baseline assessment as part of a behavioral intervention to reduce the acquisition and transmission of HIV. MSW reported an average of 12.2 (SD = 17.7) condomless anal sex acts with male clients in the past month, yet only 48% accessed health care services in the past 3 months. In a multivariable model adjusted for relevant covariates, MSW who accessed health care services in the past 3 months were more likely to be tested for HIV/STIs and report routine HIV testing over the past 12 months. Future HIV prevention efforts among MSW in India should incorporate referrals for accessing general health care services and identify specific barriers to health care engagement among this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]