The Journal of Psychology

Psychology in the service of the disabled, the ill and the dying

Disability is not just the physical, sensory or intellectual impairment a person may have, but the exclusion from society they face as a result. It applies to a multitude of medical and traumatic conditions ranging from mild to severe. It may happen suddenly (such as a spinal cord injury as a result of an accident) or occur gradually and slowly such as in multiple sclerosis (MS), or Parkinson’s disease. The intersection of disability and psychology involves navigating the emotional, mental, and social impacts of physical or cognitive impairments. The disabled community is frequently exposed to ableism, which is the systematic discrimination by, exclusion, and oppression of people with physical or mental disabilities. Key themes include adjusting to loss, navigating stigma, developing disability pride, and addressing mental health disparities. Psychology plays a critical role in supporting individuals through therapy, promoting inclusion, and challenging ableism.

Illness is a major stressor on one’s life. Various symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, and in more severe cases, immobility and even loss of bodily functions and control put the body into a state of continuous stress. After being hospitalized as a result of illness, individuals experience a wide range of short term as well as long term consequences and effects. In general, it is not only the physical suffering and distress that puts the body into a state of continuous stress, but also factors that negatively affect the patient’s psychological state. Factors such as perceived threat to one’s life and the uncontrollable and unpredictable nature of one’s condition often put hospitalized individuals in a state of apprehension and hopelessness, which can have a considerable effect on their thoughts, emotions, and subsequent behaviours.

The North American culture has been socialized into fearing the process of death and dying. As the patient comes closer to death, one endures the ultimate aloneness; neither mortal nor faith in God can save the individual from death. Death and dying are an area which is now recognized as worth studying and specializing in, and commonly mental health professionals are involved in supporting the family of the dying, helping prepare the person to end his/her journey on earth, and attend to the grieving family.

Submissions from psychologists in all areas of psychology, hospital and hospice staff and administrators, and from patients who received psychological support on their journey through illness or disability are welcome. Empirical studies, reviews, theoretical manuscripts and commentaries are invited.  There is no word limit, and references must be  in APA style. No submission fees.