Mediation analyses allow for exploration of causal mechanisms that explain how a predictor is related to an outcome. Tests of mediation are fundamental to addressing some of the most consequential questions in rehabilitation science. In recent decades, the development of easy-to-use analytical tools has made conducting statistical tests of mediation more accessible to researchers. Unfortunately, there are persistent problems in the conceptual underpinning of many tests of mediation. Even in cases where the statistical analyses are correctly run, problems with the underlying rationale for the mediational analysis will render the results inconsequential, in the best case, or misleading, in the worst case. In this commentary, I summarize the uses of mediation analysis and through a series of six main types of errors provide practical, plain language guidance ("Dos and Don'ts") for conducting a conceptually robust mediation analysis. The "Dos and Don'ts" laid out in this commentary highlight that there are persistent issues with lack of understanding of mediation, confusion about the differences between moderation, mediation, and covariates, lack of strong theoretical justification for mediation, and lack of attention to methodological issues (e.g., measurement) in many mediation analyses. Promoting the use of mediation analysis in rehabilitation research will advance theory and effective practice in our field. Researchers undertaking mediation analysis are encouraged to prioritize developing a strong theoretical framework that justifies use of mediation analysis, ensuring study methodology supports and enables tests of mediation, as well emphasizing a strong statistical approach to conducting the test of mediation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Small sample sizes are a common problem in disability research. Here, we show how Bayesian methods can be applied in small sample settings and the advantages that they provide.

Chronic pain is common among people with spinal cord injury (PwSCI) and impacts mental health (MH). Mindfulness may buffer the association of pain with MH, but few studies have examined this among PwSCI. This study examines the extent to which mindfulness moderates the association of pain intensity with MH among PwSCI.

Psychometric network analysis (PNA) is an application of dynamic systems theory that can inform measurement of complex rehabilitation phenomena such as depressive symptom patterns in veterans and service members (V/SMs) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study applied PNA to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a common measure of depressive symptoms, in a sample of V/SMs with TBI at Years 1 and 2 (Y1-2) postinjury.

To propose a predictive model for caregivers' psychological distress (including anxiety, depression, and cognitive overload) based on different data gathered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients (cognitive level, psychological distress, type of ALS, and sex).

This study investigated the predictive value of illness and treatment beliefs for patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents receiving inpatient rehabilitation treatment. In addition, we examined the relationship between fulfilled rehabilitation-related treatment expectations and patient satisfaction.

This study aimed to identify important mental health topics for people with spinal cord injuries (PwSCI) and garner insights from health care clinicians working with this population. In doing so, we identified psychosocial adaptations in the context of sexuality, intimacy, and reproductive health.

Pain is prevalent among women living with HIV (WLWH); however, research on pain experience among WLWH in the United States is limited. This study used a network analysis to simultaneously examine the relationships between pain experience and psychosocial functioning among WLWH and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative women.

There is a significant gap in the literature with regards to the synthesis of qualitative research that explores the parenting experiences of parents with physical disabilities. This systematic review aims to synthesize the evidence regarding the experiences of parents with acquired and congenital physical disabilities.

Brain injuries are often "invisible" injuries that can have lifelong consequences including changes in identity, functional independence, relationships, and reduced participation in daily activities. Survivors of brain injury experience stigma and challenges related to the misattribution of symptoms to other causes that are significant barriers to recovery and adjustment. Changes in policy and other large-scale interventions are cited as an underexplored, yet critical path to reducing the impact of brain injury. The present study sought to comprehensively characterize the impact of one such initiative-Brain Injury Identification Cards-among survivors to further refine the resource.

People with disabilities continue to cope with high levels of stress, such as disability-related stress and sociopolitical stress. Helping people with disabilities engage in regular physical activity to improve health and reduce stress is more important than ever. This study evaluated demographic covariates, the health action process approach (HAPA) constructs (action self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, risk perception, intention/commitment, maintenance and recovery self-efficacy, and action and coping planning), and positive person-environment variables (autonomous motivation, resilience, hope, and social support) as motivators for regular physical activity in a sample of people with disabilities.

People with disabilities often achieve lower educational attainments and face worse employment outcomes compared to the general population, a disparity partially due to the insufficient development of self-advocacy skills in academic and professional environments where targeted interventions are limited. This study designed and evaluated a 6-week self-advocacy program (SAP) enhanced with solution-focused brief therapy techniques for college students with disabilities (SWDs).

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is the gold standard treatment for improving the health status of individuals with chronic respiratory diseases (CRD). However, to achieve lasting results, the adoption and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle are necessary. Unfortunately, the trajectories of change in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) following PR are marked by a high degree of heterogeneity between patients. This study aimed to better understand the factors underlying this variability by investigating the role played by the personality as defined by the five-factor model.

This study aimed to determine the feasibility of using commercially available heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback training to improve physiological and self-reported stress and anxiety among adults with tetraplegia. HRV biofeedback teaches individuals to effectively modify their HRV levels in synchronization with their respiration rate and amplitude.

The societal response and constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced ableism for disabled people who were yet again treated as an afterthought in society. Systemic ableism impacted their well-being, access, and ability to be active members of their community. Disabled experiences and voices must be heard and amplified to improve preparedness and address ableism. Disability Twitter is one avenue where the disability community can collectively listen and support one another. These voices can and should be used to influence policy and practice. This study used Disability Twitter to represent and honor the experiences of the disability community, using the COVID-19 pandemic as a moment in time.

Individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) may experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at a higher rate, which is associated with worse psychiatric comorbidity, decreased quality of life, and greater disability. Yet, effective PTSD interventions remain understudied for individuals with SCI. We conducted the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an evidence-based psychotherapy (prolonged exposure [PE]) with survivors of SCI during acute rehabilitation. We examined the efficacy, feasibility, and secondary outcomes.

Forber-Pratt and colleagues' Disability Identity Development Scale (DIDS) is the only disability identity measure that meets all the criteria for rigorous scale development. Little is known however about item fit for the DIDS.

This study examined the impact of the ASPECT (Advocacy, Support, Perspective, Empowerment, Communication, and Training) Patient Engagement Program on its alumni in order to understand how they used the storytelling and advocacy skills they learned, determine the strengths of the program, and identify recommendations for strengthening the program.

This study aims to explore the perspectives of rehabilitation professionals regarding the barriers to spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation services in Nepal.

Inflicted traumatic brain injury (iTBI), or abusive head injury, is a common cause of mortality and disability among infants and toddlers. Social determinants of health (SDoH) have a critical and multifaceted impact on iTBI, influencing both prevalence and outcomes. The area deprivation index (ADI) is a comprehensive metric of SDoH developed to assist in understanding how community-level socioeconomic factors influence patient outcomes. The current study sought to describe the sociodemographic characteristics, including ADI, of a cohort of 373 infants and young children who sustained an iTBI.

Multiple sclerosis is associated with impairments in working memory functioning. Lifestyle physical activity interventions show promise in improving cognitive functioning; however, the evidence is limited. We examined the efficacy of a lifestyle physical activity intervention, involving step tracking and psychoeducational materials, on improving step counts, working memory functioning, and network strength in a whole-brain network of working memory.

Experiences of disability-based discrimination among adults with disabilities (AWD) span individual, interpersonal, and structural domains that are implicated in mental health disparities. Ableist microaggressions, a subtle and contemporary form of disability-based discrimination, are positively associated with psychological distress. Additionally, disability characteristics may impact mental health outcomes differently. This study investigated (a) the association between lifetime experiences of ableist microaggressions and psychological distress and (b) the moderating effect of disability visibility.

The current study examined the psychometric properties of common mental health questionnaires among women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) with and without brain injuries due to IPV and evaluated whether women with and without IPV-related brain injuries differed in depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity.

Many qualitative studies have focused on sex and spinal cord injury (SCI), often taking a deficit lens to interpretation and reporting. However, it is important to understand what can facilitate positive sexuality for people with SCI; therefore this study examines facilitators of sexuality for people with SCI.

Mobility aids are important to disabled people as a functional tool that can enhance their participation in leisure activities and work; however, mobility aids may also have implications for how disabled people are viewed by others. Using theories from social psychology, this study aimed to understand how mobility aids contribute to the perception of mobility aid users.

To examine, among survivors of stroke: (a) the prevalence of and most frequently reported unmet needs; and (b) the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with higher counts of unmet needs.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and postpandemic era have significantly impacted the physical, mental, and social health (global health) of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Extensive evidence highlights the positive relationships among global health, employment, and subjective well-being. For rehabilitation psychologists and health professionals serving individuals with MS, it is crucial to incorporate a global health measure into their assessment toolkit. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health (PROMISGH) Scale is widely used and validated for diverse patient populations worldwide. However, there is no study that validates the PROMISGH for people with MS.

Since the prevalence and cost of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are high in the United States, research on affordable preventative and treatment approaches is needed. While meditation shows promise for heart-health promotion, there is little knowledge about its use among people with CVD and factors that may influence its usage. In response, the purposes of the current research are to (a) shed light on the proportion of people with CVD who practice meditation; and (b) reveal variables that predict the use of meditation among them.

Peer support has been identified as an important aspect of rehabilitation for visually impaired adults. However, there is a limited exploration in rehabilitation studies literature of the identity-related impact of these interventions, both at an individual and collective level. Through attending to the discourses on blindness, well-being, and social inclusion that circulate in organization cultures, this article considers the role that peer support plays in forming "blind communities" with particular characteristics, and what these communities might model about life with blindness, both to newly blind persons and to society.

To examine the association of changes in homebound status (i.e., never/rarely leaving the home) with life satisfaction in the first 10 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI).