Character Strengths and Abilities Within Disabilities

This book examines character strengths as the backbone for strengths-based approaches to addressing issues of intellectual developmental disorder (IDD). It explores character strengths as positive personality qualities that are most central to an individual's identity, creates positive outcomes for building well-being and managing adversities, and contributes to the collective good. The book defines disability as a physical or mental impairment substantially limiting at least one major life activity. It explores what is known about character strengths and disability from a science and practice perspective. The book reviews research on the assessment, correlations, concepts, and applications of character strengths for disability. It disseminates disparate research and little-known best practices, advancing the science, offering cutting-edge practices, and reviewing future directions for science and practice.Key topics of coverage include:Intellectual developmental disorder and character strengths.Physical disabilities, medical illness and character strengths.Mental and emotional disorders (e.g., trauma) as well as special issues including race and gender as well as spirituality and meaning.The temporary or permanent nature of disability as well as its source, perception, and impact.Understanding character strengths across specific disabilities (e.g., blindness resulting from an accident, congenital blindness).Character Strengths and Disability is an essential resource for researchers, professors, clinicians, practitioners, and therapists as well as graduate students in the fields of developmental and positive psychology, rehabilitation, social work, special education, occupational, speech and language therapy, public health, and healthcare policy.