Journal Article

This journal article from AJIDD reflects on implications of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for research, policy, and practice through the lens of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Without question, people with IDD struggled as the COVID-19 pandemic began and as it has continued. Too many were isolated from friends and family for far too long. Too many were lonely and bored. Too many have not received the support they have needed during the pandemic. Far too many were denied treatment and far too many have died.

This OTJR: Occupation, Participation, and Health journal article describes a study on relationships between these factors and depression in middle-aged adults with physical disabilities during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors also provided recommendations for OTs looking to address symptoms of depression in their clients. Participants in a larger study of people aging with long-term physical disabilities (ages 45–64) completed a supplemental survey with questions about COVID-19, depression, and factors associated with depression.

This Psychiatric Services brief report describes a study that followed up with peer support specialists (PSSs) responding to an earlier survey to assess the pandemic’s continued employment and personal effects. A total of 496 PSSs completed both surveys. Unemployment remained at 7%. The proportion with full-time employment increased by December, but financial instability also increased. Tasks involving individual support and group facilitation, which had decreased significantly, rebounded somewhat by December, when nearly all PSSs (86%) reported having some new tasks.

This article in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved discussed results from the National Survey on Health and Disability which asked a series of questions about the impacts of COVID-19 for disabled people including disruptions in PAS. The authors used data from an open-ended question “How did you manage without the help you needed in your home?” to bring light to both the importance of, and vulnerabilities associated with, receipt of PAS.

This article in the Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities examined online behaviors for adults with disabilities online engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic via analysis of data from a self-administered online survey by adults in the US with disabilities (N=409) on food access, school and work, health, and social activities. Online food access was common as 53.5% ordered groceries and 55.3% ordered meals. Of students, 96.0% attended class online. Of respondents who are currently working, 82.5% attended a meeting online.

Journal article from Families, Systems, and Health, examines changes in family caregiver roles during the pandemic, specifically those helping people with chronic conditions and disabilities to navigate healthcare needs. Caregivers reported whether they were helping “more,” “less,” or the “same” with ten health care activities (e.g., filling prescriptions, attending medical appointments) now, compared to before the coronavirus pandemic.

This journal article seeks to understand the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the health and participation of people with mobility disabilities living in the community. The researchers surveyed 39 people with mobility disabilities on the effects of the pandemic on their health and access to health care. Results showed that many experiences were caused by lack of appropriate policies rather than the pandemic itself.

In this NIDILRR-funded study published in the journal PLoS ONE, the authors evaluated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic exposure on changes in alcohol use and mood from years 1 to 2 after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Among persons living with TBI, those exposed to the pandemic had significant increases in average alcohol consumption. Pandemic-exposed Hispanics with TBI had large elevations in anxiety symptoms, perhaps reflecting health inequities exacerbated by the pandemic, and suggesting a need for targeted monitoring of psychosocial distress.

This journal article describes results of a survey of 439 adults with disabilities about their concerns of the COVID-19 disease, vaccines, and hesitancy toward vaccination to learn more about factors that influence vaccination hesitancy. Results indicate that concern about vaccines was the most significant predictor of hesitancy, even after considering demographic, economic, and geographic factors. The findings indicate that some individuals may be more hesitant because they are more concerned about vaccine safety than COVID-19 infection.

This Disability and Health journal article describes a study which sought to investigate the experiences of individuals self-directing during COVID-19. In particular, researchers used semi-structured interviews to explore the following areas: 1) How have individuals maintained access to HCBS and workers?; 2) How have individuals maintained safety against COVID-19?; and 3) How have individuals maintained their health and well-being?