Individuals' responses to their chronic illness or disability (CID) vary widely. Some are positive and productive, some negative and self-defeating, and some have elements of both. Coping with Chronic Illness and Disability synthesizes the growing literature on these coping styles and strategies by analyzing how individuals with CID face challenges, find and use their strengths, and alter their environment to fit their life-changing realities. The book's first section provides readers with the major theories and conceptual perspectives on coping, with special emphasis on social aspects and models of coping with different types of CID. In Part Two, an array of specific medical conditions is covered. Each chapter supplies a clinical description, current empirical findings on coping, effective medical, physical, and psychological interventions, employment issues, and social concerns. conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injury; in-depth coverage of HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, and severe mental illness; coverage of therapeutic modalities adopted for treatment of people with CID; review of the current state of coping theory and research; and, an appendix of instruments frequently used in assessment of coping. The editors' skillful balance between theoretical and practical material will help rehabilitation specialists (particularly psychologists, counselors, social workers, and health-care providers) develop new insights into promoting successful coping, and discern new means of changing its less effective forms. Students in the helping professions, as well as individuals experiencing CID, may also find this multifaceted book useful for understanding some of the psychosocial dynamics of living with CID.

"As foreign assistance flows into post-conflict regions to rebuild economies, roads, and schools, it is important that development professionals retain a focus on the purely human element of rebuilding lives and societies. This book provides perspective on just how to begin that process so that the trauma people suffered is not passed on to future generations long after the violence has stopped." - Amy T. Wilson, Ph.D., Gallaudet University, Washington, DC

"This ground-breaking text provides the reader with an excellent and comprehensive overview of the existing field of trauma rehabilitation. It also masterfully navigates the intricate relationships among theory, research, and practice leaving the reader with immense appreciation for its subject matter." - Hanoch Livneh, Hanoch Livneh, Ph.D., LPC, CRC, Portland State University

Fear, terror, helplessness, rage: for soldier and civilian alike, the psychological costs of war are staggering. And for those traumatized by chronic armed conflict, healing, recovery, and closure can seem like impossible goals.

Demonstrating wide-ranging knowledge of the vulnerabilities and resilience of war survivors, the collaborators on Trauma Rehabilitation after War and Conflict analyze successful rehabilitative processes and intervention programs in conflict-affected areas of the world. Its dual focus on individual and community healing builds on the concept of the protective "trauma membrane," a component crucial to coping and healing, to humanitarian efforts (though one which is often passed over in favor of rebuilding infrastructure), and to promoting and sustaining peace. The book's multiple perspectives-including public health, community-based systems, and trauma-focused approaches-reflect the complex psychological, social, and emotional stresses faced by survivors, to provide authoritative information on salient topics such as:

• Psychological rehabilitation of U.S. veterans, non-Western ex-combatants, and civilians
• Forgiveness and social reconciliation after armed conflict
• Psychosocial adjustment in the post-war setting
• Helping individuals heal from war-related rape
• The psychological impact on prisoners of war
• Rehabilitating the child soldier

Rehabilitation after War and Conflict lucidly sets out the terms for the next stage of humanitarian work, making it essential reading for researchers and professionals in psychology, social work, rehabilitation, counseling, and public health.

Individuals responses to their chronic illness or disability (CID) vary widely. Some are positive and productive, some negative and self-defeating, and some have elements of both. "Coping with Chronic Illness and Disability" synthesizes the growing literature on these coping styles and strategies by analyzing how individuals with CID face challenges, find and use their strengths, and alter their environment to fit their life-changing realities.

The book s first section provides readers with the major theories and conceptual perspectives on coping, with special emphasis on social aspects and models of coping with different types of CID. In Part Two, an array of specific medical conditions is covered. Each chapter supplies a clinical description, current empirical findings on coping, effective medical, physical, and psychological interventions, employment issues, and social concerns. This book includes: Up-to-date information on coping with high-profile conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injury, in-depth coverage of HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, and severe mental illness, coverage of therapeutic modalities adopted for treatment of people with CID, review of the current state of coping theory and research, appendix of instruments frequently used in assessment of coping.

The editors skillful balance between theoretical and practical material will help rehabilitation specialists (particularly psychologists, counselors, social workers, and health-care providers) develop new insights into promoting successful coping, and discern new means of changing its less effective forms. Students in the helping professions, as well as individuals experiencing CID, may also find this multifaceted book useful for understanding some of the psychosocial dynamics of living with CID."

It is common for a doctor or healthcare professional to see an individual with a chronic health condition only a few times a year for a brief office appointment. Yet, the individual has to live with the health condition 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So, who really is in charge of managing the health condition? The individual has to "micro-manage" their condition, while healthcare professionals can provide advice on treatment approaches or the "macro-management" of the chronic health condition. Promoting Self-Management of Chronic Health Conditions covers a range of topics related to self-management-theories and practice, interventions that have been scientifically tested, and information that individuals with specific conditions should know (or be taught by healthcare professionals). Data suggest that currently a majority of individuals in the U.S. has a chronic health condition, and as society ages and healthcare continues to improve individuals' life-spans, more people will experience a chronic health condition. Health systems need to shift from an acute care model of treatment to a chronic care treatment model, in view of this trend. The expanding need for the development and scientific analysis of formal self-management programs accompany this increase in chronic health conditions. This book serves the critical purpose of helping to increase understanding of self-management and how healthcare providers can empower individuals with chronic health conditions to self-manage.

"As foreign assistance flows into post-conflict regions to rebuild economies, roads, and schools, it is important that development professionals retain a focus on the purely human element of rebuilding lives and societies. This book provides perspective on just how to begin that process so that the trauma people suffered is not passed on to future generations long after the violence has stopped." - Amy T. Wilson, Ph.D., Gallaudet University, Washington, DC "This ground-breaking text provides the reader with an excellent and comprehensive overview of the existing field of trauma rehabilitation. It also masterfully navigates the intricate relationships among theory, research, and practice leaving the reader with immense appreciation for its subject matter." - Hanoch Livneh, Hanoch Livneh, Ph.D., LPC, CRC, Portland State University Fear, terror, helplessness, rage: for soldier and civilian alike, the psychological costs of war are staggering. And for those traumatized by chronic armed conflict, healing, recovery, and closure can seem like impossible goals. Demonstrating wide-ranging knowledge of the vulnerabilities and resilience of war survivors, the collaborators on Trauma Rehabilitation after War and Conflict analyze successful rehabilitative processes and intervention programs in conflict-affected areas of the world. Its dual focus on individual and community healing builds on the concept of the protective "trauma membrane," a component crucial to coping and healing, to humanitarian efforts (though one which is often passed over in favor of rebuilding infrastructure), and to promoting and sustaining peace. The book's multiple perspectives-including public health, community-based systems, and trauma-focused approaches-reflect the complex psychological, social, and emotional stresses faced by survivors, to provide authoritative information on salient topics such as: Psychological rehabilitation of U.S. veterans, non-Western ex-combatants, and civilians Forgiveness and social reconciliation after armed conflict Psychosocial adjustment in the post-war setting Helping individuals heal from war-related rape The psychological impact on prisoners of war Rehabilitating the child soldier Rehabilitation after War and Conflict lucidly sets out the terms for the next stage of humanitarian work, making it essential reading for researchers and professionals in psychology, social work, rehabilitation, counseling, and public health.