Project: Well-Being and Positive Psychological Factors in Disabilities and Health Conditions

This line of research examines how positive psychological and environmental factors influence well-being among individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions. We explore how personal strengths, stress processes, and supportive environments contribute to psychological well-being, health outcomes, and community participation.

Key areas include:

• Positive psychology and well-being
• Hope, resilience, and self-efficacy
• Stress and coping in chronic illness
• Social support and environmental influences
• Health promotion and quality of life

Sample Publications

Iwanaga, K., Chan, F., Smedema, S. M., Rumrill, P., Wu, J. R., Zapata, P., Lee, D., & Chen, X. (2025). Evaluating positive person-environment variables and global health as parallel mediators for the relationship between core self-evaluations and subjective wellbeing in people with multiple sclerosis. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/00343552251349515

Iwanaga, K., Chan, F., Rumrill, P., & Ditchman, N. (2023). Subjective well-being of adults with multiple sclerosis during COVID-19: Evaluating stress–appraisal–coping and person-environment factors. Rehabilitation Psychology. 68(4), 362–373. http://doi.org/10.1037/rep0000498

Iwanaga, K., Chen, X., Wu, J., Lee, B., Deppert, B., Tansey, T., Chan, C., Tao, J. & Chan, F. (2022). Psychometric validation of the Wisconsin Community Participation Scale in a sample of people with chronic health conditions and disabilities living in the community. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 66(1), 58-65. http://doi.org/10.1177_00343552211063873

Project: Improving Employment Outcomes for People with Disabilities

This research program examines how vocational rehabilitation services, employment systems, and workplace environments influence employment outcomes and career development for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. The goal is to identify evidence-based strategies that improve employment outcome, quality of employment, and inclusive workplaces.

Key research topics include:

• Vocational rehabilitation services and employment outcomes
• Employer engagement and workplace inclusion
• Disability-inclusive employment practices
• Career development and job retention

Sample Publications

Iwanaga, K., Chan, F., Wu, J. R., & Tansey, T. N. (in press). Organizational Support and Digital Transformation: Predicting Job Satisfaction in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling. 

Iwanaga, K., Wehman, P., Shall, C., Avellon, L., Chan F., Inge, K., & McDonough, J. (2025). Factors affecting employment for early adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Influence of supported employment. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 63(4), 286–298. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.286

Iwanaga, K., Chan, F., Tansey, T.N., Wu, J.R., Wehman, P., Medina, M.*, & Kaya, C. (2024). Demographic covariates and vocational rehabilitation services as predictors of employment outcomes of people with physical disabilities: A hierarchical logistic regression analysis. Disability and Rehabilitation. 46 (24), 5808-5814. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2312259

Iwanaga, K., Chan, F., Bezyak, J., Wu, J. R., Lee, D., Rumrill, P., West, A. E., Zapata, P., Ho, H., Tansey, T. N., & Wehman, P. (2024). Fortune 500 companies and employment of people with disabilities: The intermediary role of disability inclusion policies and practices. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. 61, 17-24. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-240026

Project: Measurement Development in Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Research

This research program focuses on developing and validating reliable and valid measurement tools to assess psychological, vocational, and environmental factors that influence disability-related outcomes.

Key research topics include:

• Psychometric validation of assessment instruments
• Measurement of psychological and vocational constructs
• Assessment of well-being and positive psychological factors
• Quantitative and statistical methods in rehabilitation research

Sample Publications

Iwanaga, K., Chan, F., Wu, J. R., Qisti, D. A. *, Bezyak, J., & Tansey, T. N. (2025). Psychometric validation of the Digital Competence Profiler in a sample of rehabilitation counselors. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/00343552251378058

Iwanaga, K., Chan, F., Wu, J.R., Qisti, D. A., & Tansey, T. N. (2025). Psychometric validation of the Technology Adoption Propensity Index in a sample of state vocational rehabilitation counselors. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 56(3), 263–276. https://doi.org/10.1891/JARC-2024-0038

Iwanaga, K., Schiferl, J., Sampath, S., Chan F., & Rumrill, P. (2024). Psychometric validation of the Stress Appraisal Measure in a sample of individuals with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling. 55, 49-59. http://doi.org/0.1891/JARC-2023-0019