Jl. Saunders et al., Improving the employment self-concept of persons with disabilities: A field-based experiment, REHAB COUNS, 43(3), 2000, pp. 142-149
Research has indicated that self-concept can be an effective predictor of r
ehabilitation outcomes. The Comprehensive Labor and Employment Opportunitie
s (CLEO) program was designed as a psychoeducational intervention to increa
se self-concept in persons with disabilities. The purpose of this study was
to determine if participation in the CLEO program had a positive effect on
the self-concept of persons with disabilities who were being served by the
public rehabilitation program in Michigan. A quasiexperimental design with
a nonequivalent control group was employed for this study. Pre- and postme
asures of self-concept were taken using the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale: 2
nd edition (TSCS:2). Results revealed significant growth within the treatme
nt group and significant difference in growth between treatment and control
groups in the area of Total self-concept at the time of posttest. No signi
ficant differences were found in the area of Academic/Work self-concept. Im
plications fur practice, education, and further research are discussed.