Patricia M. Minnes
Ph.D.C.Psych.
Professor
B.A.
(Hons.), Psychology, Queen's University
M.Phil., Clinical Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, York University
Contact
Information:
62 Arch Street
Humphrey Hall
Queen's
University
Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
Email: patricia.minnes at queensu.ca
Phone: 613-533-2885
Fax: 613-533-2499
Research Interests
I have conducted research involving families and other caregivers of persons with developmental disabilities in Kingston. Currently, my research focuses upon persons with developmental disabilities, persons with dual diagnosis (developmental disabilities and mental health problems) and persons with acquired or traumatic brain injuries and their families and caregivers. Recent studies have included attitudes toward persons with disabilities, coping with stress associated with caring for a person with disabilities, factors contributing to successful community integration of persons with disabilities and the impact of aging on individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.
My research in the field of developmental disabilities is being conducted in collaboration with colleagues at Ongwanada, a non-profit agency in Kingston providing a variety of residential program and professional services for persons with developmental disabilities and their families and with colleagues who are members of the Queen’s University Department of Psychiatry Mental Health Team in Developmental Disabilities. Studies involving persons with brain injuries and their caregivers are being conducted in collaboration with colleagues at the Regional Community Brain Injury Services, Providence Continuing Care Centre and the Child Development Centre Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Program at Hotel Dieu Hospital. Other collaborations include a study of community integration of individuals with brain injuries in Northern Ireland, Queen’s University in Belfast, a study of aging in women with spinal cord injuries with colleagues in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University in Kingston, and a study of attitudes of medical and paramedical professionals toward disability in rehabilitation projects in Bosnia and Slovenia.
Current Research
My current research has two foci. One is coping in family members caring for an adult child with a developmental disability or a brain injury. The other is evaluation of community integration of persons with developmental disabilities or brain injuries. The latter involves refinement of the AIMS (Buell & Minnes, 1998) a measure of community integration from an acculturation perspective and more in depth analysis of community integration in particular settings (e.g., employment). There is a good deal of interest in this instrument and we currently are developing a manual and training package for it.
Other Interests
Since 1974, I have been involved in various professional and academic activities involving persons with disabilities and their families. From 1974 to 1979, I worked in Australia where I held a variety of positions including deputy superintendent at a residential center for children and young adults with developmental disabilities, and chief clinical psychologist for the state mental retardation services. I was also lecturer/consultant to hospitals and universities in the Melbourne area and throughout Victoria state.
In addition to my current appointment in Psychology, I am cross-appointed to the Department of Psychiatry and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy. I am an Associate of the International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation at Queen's which has provided opportunities for me to become involved in a number of projects with colleagues in India. In addition to my academic work, I am a consultant psychologist at Ongwanada and have a private practice working primarily with persons with disabilities and their families. I am an Associate Editor of the Journal on Developmental Disabilities and an associate of the Queen's University Developmental Consulting Program.
Last updated: January 22, 2008