An investigation of workplace AIDS training with implications for occupational health promotion efforts.

Workplace AIDS training is a recent addition to many corporations' occupational health agenda. However, little is known about the objectives, content, and practices of AIDS training programs. A survey of 126 workplace AIDS trainers was conducted to determine the impact of the trainer's organizational affiliation (in-house, consultant, union, etc.) and personal motives on training program objectives, content, and practices. Results indicate that the organizational affiliation of trainers is significantly related to training objectives, topics, and practices, whereas strong personal motives for becoming an AIDS trainer is significantly associated with an emphasis on more controversial content areas and training practices. Findings are discussed in terms of applicability to other values-oriented training topics, applications to practice, and future research needs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy in the Remediation of Psychology Trainees: Exploratory Interviews With Training Directors.

Practicing psychotherapists and trainers of psychology doctoral students are often concerned about the role of personal psychotherapy for trainees, particularly when intended for remediation. The training directors for 14 doctoral programs were interviewed regarding the use of personal psychotherapy for remediation. The major theme in a qualitative analysis of these exploratory interviews was the challenge of balancing confidentiality of the trainee's personal therapy with training program accountability and quality assurance to protect the public. Program practices ranged from hands-off to active program involvement in aspects of the trainee's personal therapy. Recommendations for program decision making about psychotherapy as remediation for trainees are suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sources of adult motives in patterns of parent behavior in early childhood.

Ratings based on 379 mothers' reports of child-rearing practices obtained in 1951 by R. R. Sears et al (1957) when their children were 5 yrs old were correlated with social motive scores obtained from 78 of the children 26–27 yrs later. Scheduling of feeding and severity of toilet training were significantly associated with adult need for achievement (nAch) scores overall and in subsamples obtained either randomly or by sex or social class. Permissiveness for sexual and aggressive behavior in childhood was significantly associated with adult need for power (nPower) scores both among men and women and in random subsamples. No child-rearing practices were associated with adult need for affiliation or intimacy motive scores. The relations for nAch and nPower cannot readily be explained in terms of the child-rearing practices involved being part of larger child-rearing syndromes responsible for promoting motives throughout the life of the child. Rather, the findings point to attitudes or behaviors involving specific practices at certain periods in a child's life as being critical for motive development, as basic-personality theorists have argued. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trainees with professional competency problems: Preparing trainers for difficult but necessary conversations.

Trainees with professional competency problems, also called problems of professional competence (PPC), are frequently encountered by faculty and supervisors and often are challenging for trainers and educational/training systems. This article underscores the importance of trainers addressing graduate students and interns with PPC for whom regular summative and formative feedback has not been effective by engaging in the often difficult, but necessary, conversations as a first step in many remediation processes. These conversations are framed as an ethical responsibility and suggested as a core competency for trainers. Attention is paid to the myriad barriers that trainers often encounter in engaging in difficult conversations, including personal factors, training setting and systems issues, and the relationship between personal and contextual factors. Strategies are offered with regard to overcoming these barriers. In addition, recommended steps and tools for effective difficult conversations are provided. Implications of this work for trainers and training programs are noted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The genesis, development, and implications of psychological-mindedness in psychotherapists.

Contends that psychological mindedness—thinking about motives, distortions, and inner experiences of others—is a central aspect of psychotherapists' professional and personal lives. Psychological mindedness is traced in the early life of the therapist and throughout his/her professional training. Psychological mindedness may be inappropriate to personal and social relations, and a lack of affectivity and spontaneity in therapy may result from an overemphasis on its intellectual component. (39 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Motives in American men and women across the adult life span.

The stability and change in four social motives (achievement, affiliation, fear of weakness, hope of power) over the adult life cycle were investigated in two surveys representative of the American population. One sample of 1,363 respondents was drawn in 1957; the other of 1,208 respondents, in 1976. Motives were assessed by established procedures that coded thematic apperceptive content for motivational imagery. Some age differences in motives were evident in both samples: Women's achievement and affiliation motives decline in older ages; men's hope of power is distinctly high at mid-life. These major age effects were found to depend on work and family patterns. By and large, however, the strength of the motives is remarkably similar over different age groups. Year and education differences moderate some of these results. Although not robust, indications of some cohort stability in certain motives emerge. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The impact of "training the trainers" course for helping tsunami-survivor children on Sri Lankan disaster volunteer workers.

The authors evaluated the impact of a "training the trainers" course for helping Sri Lankan tsunami-survivor children on education and mental health disaster volunteers. Sixty-two disaster volunteers were randomly assigned to either a school-based (ERASE Stress) "training the trainers" course or to an alternative "befriending" program that served as a control group. Participants in the ERASE Stress course significantly improved their perception of self-efficacy as tsunami survivors' helpers (Disaster-Helper Self-Efficacy Scale), self-mastery (Mastery scale), and optimism about their personal future (item from the Children's Future Orientation Scale). In addition, the perceived ability to use cognitive coping strategies (Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire) such as refocusing on planning, positive reappraisal, and putting the trauma into perspective was enhanced. The ERASE Stress course may be an effective method for strengthening local community capacity to deal with trauma survivors in developing countries. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Big ideas for psychotherapy training.

Research indicates that traditional psychotherapy training practices are ineffective in durably improving the effectiveness of psychotherapists. In addition, the quantity and quality of psychotherapy training research has also been limited in several ways. Thus, based on extant scholarship and personal experience, we offer several suggestions for improving on this state of affairs. Specifically, we propose that future psychotherapy trainings focus on a few "big ideas," target psychotherapist meta-cognitive skills, and attend more closely to the organizational/treatment context in which the training takes place. In terms of future training research, we recommend that researchers include a wider range of intermediate outcomes in their studies, examine the nature of trainee skill development, and investigate the role that organizational/treatment culture plays in terms of the retention of changes elicited by psychotherapy training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Managed care and technical efficiency in outpatient substance abuse treatment units

This article examines (1) the extent to which managed care participation is associated with technical efficiency in outpatient substance abuse treatment (OSAT) organizations and (2) the contributions of specific managed care practices as well as other organizational, financial, and environmental attributes to technical efficiency in these organizations. Data are from a nationally representative sample survey of OSAT organizations conducted in 1995. Technical efficiency is modeled using data envelopment analysis. Overall, there were few significant associations between managed care dimensions and technical efficiency in outpatient treatment organizations. Only one managed care oversight procedure, the imposition of sanctions by managed care firms, was significantly associated with relative efficiency of these provider organizations. However, several organizational factors were associated with the relative level of efficiency including hospital affiliation, mental health center affiliation, JCAHO accreditation, receipt of lump sum revenues, methadone treatment modality, percentage clients unemployed, and percentage clients who abuse multiple drugs.     

Effect of replacing a high linoleate oil with a low linoleate, high alpha-linolenate oil, as compared with supplementing EPA or DHA, on reducing lipid mediator production in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Training designed to improve AIDS knowledge, attitude, and practice was delivered to 96 traditional healers in the Central African Republic. The training (17 to 36 hours) was conducted by traditional healers with the assistance of staff from the Ministry of Health. Training included the following topics: prevention of HIV transmission during traditional practice; diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases; condom promotion; AIDS education at the community level; psychosocial support for people with AIDS; and promotion of a positive image for traditional healers. The evaluation of the training consisted of a prospective assessment of knowledge and attitude immediately prior to and after training. These assessments were conducted using structured interviews. Improvement in knowledge and/or attitudes was observed in all areas assessed except for prevention of HIV transmission during traditional practice. We concluded that AIDS training can be successfully delivered to traditional healers.     

Evaluation of internship training: Practices, problems, and prospects.

Surveyed the directors of 179 American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited internship programs to assess current training evaluation practices and to assist trainers in devising better strategies. Of 37 evaluation measures, informal qualitative procedures were utilized the most frequently and quantitative comparison procedures were used the least. Procedures ascribed the most impact in evaluating training were supervisors' evaluations of interns, APA accreditation reports, and interns' ratings of supervisors' performance and program effectiveness. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Treating traumatized OEF/OIF veterans: How does trauma treatment affect the clinician?

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 42(3) of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (see record 2011-11548-008). The word “While” was erroneously inserted in the first sentence of the “Clinician Factors” section. The correct sentence is stated in the correction.] The authors of this article describe the rewards and challenges for clinicians treating veterans who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Issues of vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout are defined and reviewed, as are compassion satisfaction and posttraumatic growth. Patient, clinician, and organizational characteristics that are likely to affect clinicians working with this clinical population are discussed. Patient factors that may increase strain on clinicians are discussed such as age, likelihood of redeployment, comorbid conditions, attendance issues, and elevated risk for suicide and aggression. Clinician factors, such as theoretical orientation, training, supervision, military affiliation, personal trauma history, spirituality, social support, and self-care, are also discussed as possible risk and protective factors for vicarious trauma and burnout. Organizational influences, such as caseload size and diversity, clinician control and autonomy, use of evidence-based practices, availability of resources, rural isolation, and the philosophy of the clinic, are further discussed. Recommendations for ameliorating risks are discussed relative to each area and include allowing clinicians to plan their own appointments so as to balance their caseload of OEF/OIF veterans, attending to self-care practices, and having a supportive team with thorough training in evidence-based practices. Future empirical research is needed on risk and resiliency factors for clinicians working with traumatized OEF/OIF veterans given that this population is likely to grow. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

A liver-specific isoform of the betaine/GABA transporter in the rat: cDNA sequence and organ distribution

This paper discusses the findings of a quantitative study of nurses' willingness to care for patients with AIDS. It identifies several factors that enable nurses to confront the fear of AIDS nursing and to turn fear into compassion, and negative attitudes into positive ones. These factors include professional values, organizational support, group identity, patients' responses, spirituality, family and friends with AIDS, knowledge about AIDS, and the importance of personal choice. The value of these factors are further supported through personal statements made by nurses on AIDS-dedicated units as they express their feelings, thoughts, and positive experiences and expectations regarding AIDS nursing.     

Dispositional and structural determinants of volunteerism.

The dispositional and structural correlates of volunteerism were examined in a panel study. AIDS service organization volunteers answered questions about affect toward the organization, organizational commitment, motives for volunteering, and a prosocial personality orientation. These measures were used to predict 4 volunteer-related behaviors. Length of service was weakly correlated with the 3 other volunteer behaviors. Altruistic motives and prosocial personality characteristics predicted several of the volunteer behaviors. Initial levels of volunteer activity and organizational commitment also predicted final levels of volunteer activity, but these effects were mediated through intermediate levels of volunteer activities. The findings are discussed within the context of the volunteer process model and role identity models of volunteerism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ecosystemic training: conjoining supervision and organizational development

Training in systems therapy is itself a systems process that is influenced by the organizational context in which it occurs. Systems trainers need to apply their skills to the interface between them and the agency, otherwise they face the danger that their impact will be eroded by organizational difficulties in "internalizing" their approach. Furthermore, there is much to be gained by working in this domain, especially if the training stimulates and becomes intertwined with organizational development. This coevolutionary process then facilitates integration of the systems model by both the trainees and the agency. Three variables, important for working at this interface, are analyzed: the approach of the supervisor, the composition and dynamics of the training group, and the treatment philosophy and work patterns of the institution. The implementation of this approach is demonstrated through a 4-year project of training and program development with Israel's Youth Protection Authority.     

"Treating traumatized OEF/OIF veterans: How does trauma treament affect the clinician?": Correction to Voss Horrell et al. (2011).

Reports an error in "Treating traumatized OEF/OIF veterans: How does trauma treatment affect the clinician" by Sarah C. Voss Horrell, Dana R. Holohan, Lea M. Didion and G. Todd Vance (Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2011[Feb], Vol 42[1], 79-86). The word “While” was erroneously inserted in the first sentence of the “Clinician Factors” section. The corrected sentence is provided in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2011-04544-011.) The authors of this article describe the rewards and challenges for clinicians treating veterans who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Issues of vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout are defined and reviewed, as are compassion satisfaction and posttraumatic growth. Patient, clinician, and organizational characteristics that are likely to affect clinicians working with this clinical population are discussed. Patient factors that may increase strain on clinicians are discussed such as age, likelihood of redeployment, comorbid conditions, attendance issues, and elevated risk for suicide and aggression. Clinician factors, such as theoretical orientation, training, supervision, military affiliation, personal trauma history, spirituality, social support, and self-care, are also discussed as possible risk and protective factors for vicarious trauma and burnout. Organizational influences, such as caseload size and diversity, clinician control and autonomy, use of evidence-based practices, availability of resources, rural isolation, and the philosophy of the clinic, are further discussed. Recommendations for ameliorating risks are discussed relative to each area and include allowing clinicians to plan their own appointments so as to balance their caseload of OEF/OIF veterans, attending to self-care practices, and having a supportive team with thorough training in evidence-based practices. Future empirical research is needed on risk and resiliency factors for clinicians working with traumatized OEF/OIF veterans given that this population is likely to grow. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Physician-hospital transactions: developing a process for handling valuation-related issues

Hospitals are increasingly attempting to integrate their operations with physician constituents through the development of hospital-physician joint ventures and acquisition of physician practices. This article provides an overview of valuation-related issues that result with respect to such affiliation efforts and guidance to assist the health care financial and legal professional in resolving such issues consistent with the business objectives of the transaction parties.     

Shaking Hands With a Computer: An Examination of Two Methods of Organizational Newcomer Orientation.

The current study investigated the effects of using a computer-based orientation program on organizational socialization and attitudinal outcomes. In a quasi-experimental field study, 261 newcomers either participated in a group, social-based orientation session or an individual, computer-based orientation session. Consistent with hypotheses, results indicated that participation in the computer-based orientation session led to lower levels of socialization in the more socially rich content areas, whereas the more information-based content areas were not affected. Levels of socialization mediated the effects of computer-based orientation on the more distal attitudinal outcomes of affective organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Computer-based orientation participation also negatively affected supervisor ratings of socialization. The results demonstrate the importance of newcomer orientations and socialization outcomes during organizational entry and that training method can be an important moderator of orientation practices. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Morally based self-esteem, drinking motives, and alcohol use among college students.

This research examined the relationship of morally based self-esteem with drinking motives and alcohol consumption among college students. Basing self-esteem on morals was expected to be negatively associated with drinking behavior. We further expected this relationship to be mediated by drinking motives. Participants (N = 201; 45% male, 55% female) completed self-report measures of contingencies of self-worth, drinking motives, and drinking behavior. Previous research was supported in that college students whose self-esteem was more strongly contingent upon following personal morals consumed less alcohol. The current research extended these findings by showing that this relationship was mediated by drinking motives. Results suggest that it may be useful to better incorporate personal values into interventions for college students. The implementation of personal values in combination with brief treatments is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The causes of organizational citizenship behavior: A motivational analysis.

This study addressed the role of motives in organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Three motives were identified through factor analyses: prosocial values, organizational concern, and impression management. Scales that measured these motives and other variables known to covary with OCB were administered to 141 municipal employees and were correlated with self-, peer, and supervisor ratings of 5 aspects of OCB. Relative to the other motives, prosocial values motives were most strongly associated with OCB directed at individuals, and organizational concern motives were most strongly associated with OCB directed toward the organization. Each of the motives accounted for unique amounts of variance in OCB. The results suggest that motives may play an important role in OCB. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)