This study aimed to assess the predictive nature of social support, meaning making (presence of meaning and search for meaning), and demographic factors on perceived posttraumatic growth (PTG) in a sample of adults living with chronic illness (N = 110). Regression analyses indicated that presence of meaning and gender served as the strongest predictors, together accounting for 22% of the variance in PTG. Presence of meaning also moderated the relationship between social support and PTG, supporting the unique contribution of meaning making on PTG.

This study examined the resilience experiences of 13 sexual and gender minority persons living with disabilities, using phenomenological qualitative methodology. Researchers used in-depth, semi-structured interviews and various trustworthiness standards in the study. Participants endorsed four common resilience maximizers—self-acceptance, advocacy, social support, and a plea for recognition of humanity (an aspirational resilience maximizer)—and three common resilience minimizers—fragmentation, identity concealment, and punishment. Counseling implications and future research directions are also discussed.

This qualitative study investigated the training experiences of 12 students of color in Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs-accredited master's-level counseling programs using semi-structured phenomenological interviews. The 12 participants identified as Asian American (n = 2), Japanese American (n = 1), Chinese (n = 1), Black (n = 1), African American (n = 1), Latino and/or Hispanic (n = 3), and multiracial (n = 3). We used interpretive phenomenological analysis and identified three main themes: cultural marginalization, biculturalism, and safe or counter-hegemonic relationships. Training implications for counselor education programs are provided.

Purpose:To identify meaningful educative experiences that contributed to the development of rehabilitation counselors’ abilities to provide effective rehabilitation counseling services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons living with chronic illness/disabilities (CID).Method:This was a secondary analysis of a larger qualitative data set that examined the educational experiences and practices of 12 certified rehabilitation counselors working with LGBTQ persons.Results:Using a qualitative content analysis methodology, 5 categories were identified: (a) formal didactic education, (b) affirmative supervision and consultation during practica/internship, (c) extracurricular-related training, (d) identification, and (e) family of origin.Conclusion:To help facilitate future counselors’ self-perceived abilities to provide effective services to LGBTQ persons living with CID, rehabilitation counselor educators should place more emphasis on LGBTQ-related issues in their curriculum and provide practical (experiential) learning opportunities for their students.

The lived experiences of eight African American women college students were explored from an interpretive phenomenological analytic framework. The researchers identified six main themes about participants and their reported family dynamics: (a) collectivistic yet disconnected, (b) avoidance, (c) functioning in dysfunction, (d) gendered differences, (e) motivation to change the family's homeostasis, and (f) talking about generational trauma as a motivator to repair communication. Implications for culturally responsive counseling and generational trauma-informed counselor training are discussed.