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Disability as a Dimension of Diversity

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Handbook of Qualitative Health Research for Evidence-Based Practice

Part of the book series: Handbooks in Health, Work, and Disability ((SHHDW,volume 4))

Abstract

I review the qualitative evidence related to therapy with people with disabilities. I begin with a definition of evidence that emphasizes the lived experiences of people with disabilities. Following is a brief discussion of the conceptual factors related to research about people with disabilities. Five models of research in two paradigms (Olkin, Newsletter of the American Family Therapy Academy, #67, 27–32, 1997; What psychotherapists should know about disability. New York: Guilford Press, 1999) are described. The main focus is on a review of over 50 articles describing qualitative research related to people with disabilities as the articles pertain to therapy. Over three-quarters of the research emanates from outside the USA and is spread over a wide variety of journals, making it difficult for clinicians to locate qualitative research related to therapy with people with disabilities. Overall, there is a paucity of research on the topic. Ten factors that constrain research on disability are outlined. Research on disability has not emphasized social justice, oppression, discrimination, or microaggressions. Suggestions are given for different levels of qualitative research that would provide evidence for culturally competent therapy with people with disabilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, One Beach Street #100, San Francisco, CA, 94133, USA

    Rhoda Olkin Ph.D.

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  1. Rhoda Olkin Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Rhoda Olkin Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Karin Olson

  2. Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, and Special Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Richard A. Young

  3. Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, and Special Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Izabela Z. Schultz

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Olkin, R. (2016). Disability as a Dimension of Diversity. In: Olson, K., Young, R., Schultz, I. (eds) Handbook of Qualitative Health Research for Evidence-Based Practice. Handbooks in Health, Work, and Disability, vol 4. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2920-7_23

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