Rebecca Renwick - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Rebecca Renwick

Psychological Reports, Apr 1, 1999

Validation data are described for the Social Support Inventory for People who are HIV Positive or... more Validation data are described for the Social Support Inventory for People who are HIV Positive or Have AIDS. This inventory was developed specifically for use with individuals who are HIV-positive to assess three types of received support (instrumental, informational, emotional) for each of four dimensions: whether support is received or wanted, satisfaction with support, and source of the support. It was validated in the context of a larger cross-sectional study of 120 adults with HIV who completed a set of questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, internal consistency coefficients, and evidence of construct validity for the original inventory are presented. An improved, revised version based on the validation data for the original one is also briefly described, but not tested.

Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, Oct 27, 1989

Although immigrant women constitute a relatively large sector of Canadian society, the occupation... more Although immigrant women constitute a relatively large sector of Canadian society, the occupational therapy literature offers neither an analysis of their mental health needs nor any specific approach to addressing these. Because of this group's diversity on a number ...

International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, Jun 1, 2001

PubMed, Jun 1, 1995

The term frailty has been used for many years, both in everyday and academic language. It is a te... more The term frailty has been used for many years, both in everyday and academic language. It is a term that appears, on the surface, to be simple enough in its meaning, yet it has been used in a variety of ways to describe both people and a condition that applies to people. Moreover, little conceptual thought has gone into the nature of frailty and the factors that might affect it. This paper presents a definition of frailty: frailty occurs when there is diminished ability to carry out the important practical and social activities of daily living. It also presents a conceptualization of frailty that specifies its basic components, the categories of factors that contribute to it, and its relationship to closely related concepts.

Aids Care-psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of Aids/hiv, Feb 1, 1996

Coping, social support and quality of life (QOL) were examined in 120 HIV+ people (mean age = 37)... more Coping, social support and quality of life (QOL) were examined in 120 HIV+ people (mean age = 37). The sample came from ambulatory clinics and drop-in centres in Toronto: 29% had AIDS, 35% were HIV symptomatic, and 35% were asymptomatic. Information was gathered from self-administered questionnaires. Respondents had good levels of social support and used a variety of coping strategies. Their scores on the behavioural and subjective measures of QOL were somewhat below average. The illness-related measure indicated that their diagnosis had an almost neutral effect on QOL and showed several areas where QOL had been positively affected. Data from male subjects only (n = 107) were analysed using a hierarchical block regression for each QOL measure. Income, emotional social support, and problem-oriented and perception-oriented coping were positively related to QOL. Tangible social support and emotion-oriented coping were negatively related and symptom severity was not related at all. Close friends provided most types of support. Although respondents indicated high levels of satisfaction with support generally, they expressed a need for more emotional support. Unemployment was high despite participants being relatively healthy and well-educated.

Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, Oct 1, 1988

Vestibular Processing Dysfunction in Children. K. Ottenbacher and M. Short, Editors. The Haworth ... more Vestibular Processing Dysfunction in Children. K. Ottenbacher and M. Short, Editors. The Haworth Press, 28 East 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010. 152 pp., $25.95 (U.S.) This special edition of Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics (Vol. 5, No. 2/3, Summer /Fall) consists of a comprehensive collection of articles concerning the structure and function of the vestibular system. These articles encompass a variety of studies which illustrate both theoretical and clinical implications for understanding and developing a body of research for vestibular functioning. Each of the eight articles is preceded by a brief introduction and succeeded by a summation and references. The first article in this volume, written by an experienced anatonomist, provides an in-depth anatomical description of the vestibular system and its complex interactions with non-vestibular pathways. The next seven articles are research-oriented, particularly "A Meta-Analysis of Applied Vestibular Stimulation Research" which was difficult to read at times, due to the excessive use of scientific jargon in the description of clinical studies. An underlying theme in every article is the relatively slow progress in understanding vestibular functions and in devising methods to test these functions. An interesting review of the two major current approaches to vestibular assessment (vestibular-ocular interactions /postular mechanisms) is presented in detail in the article "Assessment of Vestibular Function in Children". One specific vestibularrelated measure of clinical interest to therapists is the Southern California Postrotary Nystagmus Test (SCPNT), which is examined by Rebecca Dutton, OTR, in -Reliability and Clinical Significance of the Southern California Postrotary Nystagmus Test". The clinical relevance of this test is demonstrated in the succeeding research article. The focus of the remaining articles centres on intervention research. In an article entitled "Immediate Effects of Waterbed Flotation on Approach and Avoidance Behaviours of Premature Infants", several occupational therapists examine the effects of a vestibular-related intervention, waterbed flotation, on very specific well-defined motor behaviours of healthy premature infants. This special edition of Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics is designed to expand and organise the scientific and clinical importance of vestibular-related research. This is well accomplished. This text is not intended for the therapist without a basic clinical knowledge of the vestibular system, but is a valuable resource and is recommended for those interested in developing further investigation and effective treatment procedures for children with vestibular processing dysfunction. ClOre Badeski, B.Sc., 0.T.(C)

Journal of Rehabilitation, 1992

... Personal and Environmental Factors Related to Employment: Implications for Substance Abuse In... more ... Personal and Environmental Factors Related to Employment: Implications for Substance Abuse Intervention. by Rebecca M. Renwick , Marta Krywonis. ... In LC Sobell & MB Sobell (Eds.), Evaluating alcohol and drug abuse treatment effectiveness: Recent advances (pp. 15-76). ...

Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, Dec 1, 1990

Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks, 2016

Stigmatizing messages and underrepresentation of people with intellectual disabilities within mas... more Stigmatizing messages and underrepresentation of people with intellectual disabilities within mass media are communicated to vast audiences and have considerable potential to detrimentally affect these individuals. This chapter explores the nature of such representations as well as how they are disseminated to audiences and can influence their thinking, emotions, and behaviors. It discusses the limited literature about people with intellectual disabilities in three mass media—newspapers, television, and film—and considers how these media can contribute to reproducing and counteracting stigma. The chapter also highlights gaps in the literature, future directions for research, and implications for practice and advocacy.

Otjr-occupation Participation and Health, 2004

This article describes the initial validation study of the Quality of Life Measure for Persons Wi... more This article describes the initial validation study of the Quality of Life Measure for Persons With Schizophrenia (QOLM-S). This new assessment is grounded in a holistic conceptual framework, addresses occupational issues, and was developed on the basis of qualitative data collected from individuals with schizophrenia. Data were collected from 91 individuals with schizophrenia to examine aspects of reliability and validity. Results support both the internal consistency of the QOLM-S, with a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.97 for the overall scale, and concurrent validity. Correlations between the domain and total scores of the QOLM-S provide initial support for construct validity. This study supports the use of the QOLM-S as a descriptive tool. Future research to enhance the clinical utility and further examine the psychometric properties of the QOLM-S are suggested.

American Journal of Occupational Therapy, May 1, 1993

Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, Sep 1, 1992

Individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy typically experience some of the most severe physica... more Individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy typically experience some of the most severe physical effects of this chronic, progressive disorder during their teenage years. This can impact significantly on their quality of life, particularly because they are simultaneously grappling with the complex, identity-related developmental tasks associated with this stage in life. In turn, these circumstances are very likely to affect the quality of life of their parents, who are also usually their care givers. To date, no attempt has been made to actually measure the quality of life of these parents, perhaps due in part to the lack of instruments designed to do this. Accordingly, this paper outlines the conceptual basis, the item generation process, and the content validation of a new instrument, the Life Satisfaction Index for Parents (LSI-P), developed to assess one aspect of quality of life, namely, life satisfaction, in this population. The results of a study examining construct, concurrent, and discriminant validity and internal consistency of the LSI-P are also presented. Potential applications of the instrument and future directions for research are discussed.

Journal of the Community Development Society, Sep 1, 2001

An inquiry into community quality of life was carried out in a framework that recognizes the role... more An inquiry into community quality of life was carried out in a framework that recognizes the role that community structures play in individual health and well-being. Through use of focus groups and key informant interviews, community members, service providers, and elected ...

Canadian Journal of Public Health-revue Canadienne De Sante Publique, May 1, 2000

International Journal of Disability Development and Education, Jun 1, 1999

Results that bear upon the psychometric properties of the Quality of Life Instrument Package are ... more Results that bear upon the psychometric properties of the Quality of Life Instrument Package are presented. The reliability and validity of quality of life data from a probability sample of 500 persons with developmental disabilities in Ontario were assessed. The data indicate ...

International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, Jun 1, 1994

Qualitative Health Research, Nov 1, 2003

In the mid-1990s, medical advances dramatically altered the experience of living with HIV/AIDS. T... more In the mid-1990s, medical advances dramatically altered the experience of living with HIV/AIDS. The shifting medical climate spurred new social and financial questions, such as the possibility of returning to work. In this qualitative study, the authors examine how people living with HIV/AIDSperceive, attach meaning to, and approach the experience of returning to work. Findings demonstrate that the participants are influenced by, and wrestle with, both the dominant societal perspective that “people should return to work,” and the oppositional perspective that people living with HIV/AIDS “should not return to work.” Theoretical understanding of the results is enhanced using the concepts of the “sick role” and the “hierarchy of identities.” Findings have conceptual and methodological implications for literature in HIV/AIDS, return to work, and identity.

Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Oct 17, 2008

Findings reported here are from a secondary analysis of in-home, semistructured interviews with a... more Findings reported here are from a secondary analysis of in-home, semistructured interviews with a subsample of 9 participants from a larger study examining the perspectives of parents of children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) concerning what contributes to and detracts from their children's quality of life at school. Audiotaped interview data used in the secondary analysis had already been gathered by a trained interviewer and then transcribed verbatim. The secondary analysis followed a modified grounded theory approach. Major themes identified are highlighted, specifically, how quality of life is affected by (a) awareness of AS in the school system, (b) quality of social interaction, (c) the role of the teaching staff and professionals, and (d) the role of the institution and educational structure. Implications, recommendations, and future research directions are discussed.

Previous research on film representations of disability has highlighted the powerful influence of... more Previous research on film representations of disability has highlighted the powerful influence of media on social understandings and expectations of people with psychiatric and physical disabilities. However, there is very sparse literature about film representations of people with intellectual/ developmental disabilities (IDD), including their engagement in occupation. Further, there has been no research about how people with IDD themselves interpret and respond to such representations. Accordingly, this qualitative study examined: (a) the stories and messages (representations) about people with IDD portrayed in contemporary film and (b) the extent to which these film representations reflect the lived experiences and perspectives of people with IDD. The study was theoretically underpinned by Hall’s model of the process of mass media communication (including film) and a constructivist perspective of disability. The participatory research approach and methods employed involved several co-researchers -- three adult self-advocates with IDD, two university-based researchers, and two MSc OT students -- and focused on inclusion, collaboration, and reciprocal learning throughout the study. Eight English-language Hollywood films portraying a lead or major adult character with IDD and released between 2003 and 2009 were viewed repeatedly and thematically analyzed using constant comparison between and across films. Several themes related to occupational engagement of adults with IDD (i.e., limited sexuality, exaggerated vulnerability, desirable occupational participation) emerged from the qualitative analysis. The self-advocate co-researchers with IDD then critiqued these emergent themes with respect to congruence of the themes with their own lived experiences. The congruencies and mis-matches between the film portrayals and lived experiences of the co-rsearchers are discussed in terms of their implications for occupational science. The findings: (a) contribute new knowledge that challenges stereotypes and assumptions about occupational meaning and occupational engagement for people with IDD; (b) highlight the value and potential for revealing new insights and understandings about occupation for people with IDD, and possibly other populations, through the use of participatory research methods; and (c) underscore the potential benefits of participatory methods for co-researchers with IDD. Key Words: participatory methods; qualitative research; film representations of intellectual/developmental disabilit