Vidya Sundar

Vidya Sundar
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Occupational Therapy
Office: Occupational Therapy, Hewitt Hall, Durham, NH 03824
Websites: Full profile: FindScholars@UNH, Research page: https://mypages.unh.edu/power
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Vidyalakshmi Sundar, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

I teach graduate and undergraduate coursework related to inclusive workplace practices and worker rehabilitation, human occupation, and research methods. My research and scholarly interests include programs and policies that promote employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities. My recent research interest is in career advancement and management strategies for people with disabilities.
I am the Principal Investigator of a three year Field Initiated Research Project (funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research) to develop and test the use of job crafting as an intervention strategy to improve work-related self-efficacy engagement among persons with disabilities.
Prior to this position, I served as the project director and program evaluator of several federally funded initiatives on employment, aging in the community, and chronic homelessness.

Education

  • Ph.D., Rehabilitation Science, University at Buffalo, State University of New York
  • B.S., The Tamil Nada Dr M.G.R Medical University

Research Interests

  • Ergonomics
  • Persons with Disabilities - Services For
  • Vocational Services for People With Disabilities
  • Work Motivation
  • Worker Attitudes and Technology

Courses Taught

  • HHS 540: Stats for Health Professionals
  • HMGT/OT 520: Happy and Healthy at Work
  • HMGT/OT 598: Happy & Healthy at Work
  • OT 760L: Psychosocial Eval & Interv Lab
  • OT 760L/860L: Psychosocial Eval & Interv Lab
  • OT 785: Research Methods
  • OT 860L: Psychosocial Eval & Interv Lab
  • OT 886: Engagement in Research

Selected Publications

Forcino, R. C., Rotenberg, S., Morrissette, K. J., Godzik, C. M., Lichtenstein, J. D., Schiffelbein, J. E., . . . Lyons, K. D. (2023). Exploring Acceptability of Employment Interventions to Support People Living With Cancer: Qualitative Study of Cancer Survivors, Health Care Providers, and Employers.. JMIR Form Res, 7, e47263. doi:10.2196/47263

Kalargyrou, V., Sundar, V., & Jahani, S. (2023). Managers’ attitudes toward employees with depression and organizational citizenship behaviors in the hospitality industry: assessing the mediating role of personality. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 35(2), 602-629. doi:10.1108/ijchm-01-2022-0082

Fyffe, D. C., Lequerica, A. H., Ward-Sutton, C., Williams, N. F., Sundar, V., & O'Neill, J. (2022). Understanding Persons With Disabilities' Reasons for Not Seeking Employment. REHABILITATION COUNSELING BULLETIN, 66(1), 3-12. doi:10.1177/00343552211006773

Sundar, V., & Brucker, D. L. (2022). Work limitations as a moderator of the relationship between job crafting and work performance: results from an SEM analysis of cross-sectional survey data. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION. doi:10.1007/s10926-022-10055-6

Houtenville, A. J., Phillips, K. G., & Sundar, V. (2021). USEFULNESS OF INTERNET SURVEYS TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: A CAUTIONARY TALE. JOURNAL OF SURVEY STATISTICS AND METHODOLOGY, 9(2), 285-308. doi:10.1093/jssam/smaa045

Sundar, V., O'Neill, J., Houtenville, A. J., Phillips, K. G., Keirns, T., Smith, A., & Katz, E. E. (2018). Striving to work and overcoming barriers: Employment strategies and successes of people with disabilities. JOURNAL OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, 48(1), 93-109. doi:10.3233/JVR-170918

Sundar, V., Brucker, D. L., Pollack, M. A., & Chang, H. (2016). Community and social participation among adults with mobility impairments: A mixed methods study. DISABILITY AND HEALTH JOURNAL, 9(4), 682-691. doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.05.006

Schuh, M. C., Sundar, V., & Hagner, D. C. (2015). Friendship Is the Ocean: Importance of Friendship, Acceptance, and Leadership in the Transition to Adulthood. CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSITION FOR EXCEPTIONAL INDIVIDUALS, 38(3), 152-161. doi:10.1177/2165143414528031

Sundar, V., Fox, S. W., & Phillips, K. G. (2014). Transitions in caregiving: evaluating a person-centered approach to supporting family caregivers in the community.. J Gerontol Soc Work, 57(6-7), 750-765. doi:10.1080/01634372.2013.847885

Tomita, M. R., Mann, W. C., Stanton, K., Tomita, A. D., & Sundar, V. (2007). Use of currently available smart home technology by frail elders process and outcomes. TOPICS IN GERIATRIC REHABILITATION, 23(1), 24-34. Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/

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Most Cited Publications