Factors contributing to breaking confidentiality with adolescent clients: A survey of pediatric psychologists.

A common ethical dilemma experienced by professional psychologists involves deciding whether to break confidentiality with risk-taking adolescent clients. However, our understanding of the factors that contribute to this decision-making process is limited. The present study surveyed 200 pediatric psychologists (resulting in 74 usable surveys) and identified several items that are perceived to be important to clinicians when they consider the decision to break confidentiality in order to report potentially dangerous behaviors to the parents of adolescent clients. The present study also used exploratory factor analysis to identify 2 underlying factors--Negative Nature of the Behavior and Maintaining the Therapeutic Process--as crucial to the decision-making process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A survey of clinical psychologists on treating lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients.

Should the average psychologist receive specific training on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) concerns? On the basis of a random sample of practicing psychologists, LGB clients are present in most caseloads. Respondents rated the most important therapeutic issues with LGB clients and identified training that would improve their work with LGB clients (including the topics of coming out, estrangement from family, support system development, and internalized homophobia). In addition, participants reported on the types of training that they are getting (most frequently reading articles, supervision, and continuing education). The implications for training programs and private practitioners are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A word for psychologists.

Suggests that "psycho-logistics," a term coined by the author for group work with disabled, institutionalized veterans, is an appropriate term for most activities of professional psychologists. (0 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the etiology and effective management of professional distress and impairment among psychologists.

Both the psychologist and the consumer suffer when the professional's distress or impairment is inadequately managed. Although psychologists have significant rates of distress and impairment, numerous personal and occupational factors may decrease the likelihood that they will seek assistance when in trouble. Policies regarding the distressed or impaired psychologist, as enacted, are neither consistent nor comprehensive, and they may exacerbate risk to consumers and psychologists alike. Current oversight approaches to the impaired professional tend to emphasize code enforcement more than prevention and education. Recommendations to improve our effectiveness for both the consumer and the psychologist are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clients Who Stalk Psychologists: Prevalence, Methods, and Motives.

There is emerging recognition that psychologists are susceptible to various forms of intrusiveness by clients, including stalking. Information regarding the contexts in which stalking emerges and the behaviors to which clinicians are subjected is limited. A random sample of Australian psychologists (N = 1,750) was surveyed to ascertain the prevalence, nature, and occupational impact of stalking by clients. Of the 830 respondents, 19.5% had been stalked for 2 weeks or more. Psychologists typically perceived the stalking to be motivated by resentment (42%) or infatuation (19%). Most practitioners altered their professional practice as a consequence of the harassment and 29% considered leaving the profession. Stalking by clients is a salient professional issue that requires greater attention to better manage conduct that is potentially damaging to both therapists and clients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The validity of personnel assessments by professional psychologists.

For a sample of 100 persons assessed over a two-year period, predictor and criterion ratings were obtained on five rating scales. The predictor ratings were made by two psychologists from the case files, the criterion ratings by one or more of the assessees' superiors. In addition, the criterion ratings were correlated with a large test battery. "… These general conclusions are drawn: (1) Compared with most validity findings these results are promising and indicate that the technique investigated has practical value and is definitely worthy of further research. (2) When the research is more rigorously conducted, the resulting estimates of validity are likely to be higher." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

When the customer shouldn't be king: Antecedents and consequences of sexual harassment by clients and customers.

Much of the work in today's service industries requires women to deal with people outside of their organizations, namely, customers and clients, yet research on sexual harassment has focused almost exclusively on sexual harassment within organizations. Because the threat of harassment also operates at the boundaries of organizations, our existing models based solely on harassment inside organizations may be too restricted to adequately explain the harassment experiences of women in today's economy. To address this, the authors introduce a theoretical model of the antecedents and consequences of sexual harassment by clients and customers (CSH) and describe 2 field studies conducted to test components of the model. In Study 1, they developed a model of antecedents and consequences of CSH and illustrated that certain contextual factors (client power and gender composition of the client base) affect levels of CSH and that CSH is related to a number of job and psychological outcomes among professional women. Study 2 revealed that CSH is related to lower job satisfaction among nonprofessional women, above and beyond that which is accounted for by internal sexual harassment. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recommendations about the knowledge and skills required of psychologists working with older adults.

This article is an initial attempt to furnish recommendations for the skills and knowledge psychologists need to work competently with older adults. We use two levels of competence across seven broad areas that are most relevant for professional practice. The fast competence level is that required of general psychologists who provide some professional services to older adults; the second level is that needed by more specialized experts in the field for practice and training. This article is not fashioned as a "how to" document and is not intended to disenfranchise anyone. Recommendations are proposed that delineate the types of competence needed for specific geropsychology activities that are relevant to a variety of settings providing mental health services to older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychoanalytic psychologists evaluate their academic training.

Responses to a questionnaire surveying the attitudes of psychologists were obtained from four training analysts, two recent graduates, and six candidates in training at the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and Psychology. "The heterogeneous character of psychologists' prepsychoanalytic training and the varying evaluations they accord it is a reflection of a rapidly changing field." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychological value systems of psychologists.

A scale based on historically important psychologists and their contributions was marked by 125 Fellows of the APA. The names represented 9 a priori scales of values. Factor analysis produced 3 bipolar factors: laboratory vs. clinic, psychometric vs. verbal approach to individual, and methodological analysis vs. professional service. Value scores are given for members of the APA divisions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The APA study of psychologists.

A preliminary report of the research procedures, findings, and additional questions to be investigated in a study whose major purpose is "the collection of data which may lead to (a) the better understanding of personal and environmental factors that influence the research productivity or the professional contribution of the individual psychologists, (b) increased appreciation of society's demands for and use of psychological services, and (c) an understanding of the influence of various programs of education and training in psychology." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Productive psychologists.

Frequency of citation is suggested "… as an instrument for facilitating the assessment of the influence of a psychologist and of identifying his most influential work." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The registration of psychologists in Canada.

A review of current statutes indicates that six provinces in Canada now have acts which provide for the registration of psychologists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Certification of psychologists.

During the past year, in discussions of the question of certification of psychologists, I have found that many are not familiar with two important problems associated with the trend of certification of the whole title. One consequence of such certification is that an academic psychologist cannot consult as a psychologist for a fee in his own specialty, however remote from contact with individual patients, without being certified or without in some way circumventing the law. This is a restriction that does not exist for nuclear physicists, physiologists, chemists, or others in any academic area. It stands, as such, as a limitation on traditional academic privileges. A second consequence is that restriction of the whole title creates a situation in which misunderstandings arise with sister disciplines that share subject matter or titles. For example, sociologists have trained persons in and claim competence in social psychology. It is concluded that aside from the issues involved and whether or not there have indeed been blunders, the implication is that the profession would not want to change, right or wrong; it would not be possible to rouse any action that would imply an alteration rather than a compromise with the current situation. What is disturbing is that considering the self-conscious concern with ethics in psychology, this seems to be a rather cynical view of the profession. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical standards of psychologists.

A preamble precedes a set of 19 specific principles titled as follows: Responsibility, Competence, Moral and Legal Standards, Misrepresentation, Public Statements, Confidentiality, Client Welfare, Client Relationship, Impersonal Services, Announcement of Services; Interprofessional Relations, Remuneration, Test Security, Test Interpretation, Test Publication, Research Precautions, Publication Credit, Responsibility Toward Organization, Promotional Activities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical standards of psychologists.

A revised ethical code consisting of a preamble and 18 principles approved by the American Psychological Association to be in effect for a 3-year trial period is presented. The principles are titled: 1. General, 2. Competence, 3. Moral and Legal Standards, 4. Misrepresentation, 5. Public Statements, 6. Confidentiality, 7. Client Welfare, 8. Client Relationship, 9. Impersonal Services, 10. Advertising, 11. Interprofessional Relationship, 12. Remuneration, 13. Test Security, 14. Test Interpretation, 15. Test Publication, 16. Harmful Aftereffects, 17. Publication Credit, and 18. Organizational Material. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Configurations of contributing psychologists.

"The purpose of this paper is to present a method for identifying those members of the American Psychological Association having a doctor's degree who are likely to make important contributions to psychology. The approach is essentially that of considering at one time two bits of information about a person." "The sample… consists of 1,974 persons who became Associates of APA and received the doctor's degree during the period 1941 to 1951… ." Three configurations are discussed: (1) those who became APA Associates before they received the doctor's degree; (2) those who became Associates after they received the degree; (3) those who became Associates the same year they received the degree. Criteria of contributions to psychology are publication in the 1954 APA journals and donation of money to APA Building Fund in 1954 and 1955. Three tables of results are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Standards of ethical behavior for psychologists: Report of the committee on ethical standards of psychologists.

Most dissatisfaction with the present code involves its "cumbersome length" and the codifying of professional courtesies rather than the "hard core of ethical issues." 7 criteria adopted by the committee in its efforts at revision of the code are specified. "Containing only 18 major principles, the proposed revision retains the essence of the original code tentatively adopted in 1953." The proposed revision is presented with a preamble. Principles are titled as follows: General, Competence, Moral and Legal Standards, Misrepresentation, Public Statements, Confidentiality, Client Welfare, Client Relationship, Impersonal Services, Advertising, Interprofessional Relationship, Remuneration, Technique Security, Test Interpretation, Test Publication, Harmful After-effects, Publication Credit, Organizational Material. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some observations on the ideology of professional psychologists.

"Analysis of the value position of psychologists starts with an examination of certain of the intellectual postulates and biases of modern psychology. These contribute to what I call the ideology of professional psychologists… . Modern psychology derives its particular orientations in good measure from the social context of American life. The ideology of professional psychology, I shall argue, is linked to the antiphilosophical, antihistorical, narrowly means-oriented and optimistic character of much American thought and culture." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Incomes of industrial psychologists.

"During August 1960, questionnaires requesting salary information were sent to a random sample of 359 members of Division 14 members obtained from the APA Central Office. Returns were obtained from 289 (81%)." The 10 schools producing the largest number of persons in our sample were (in order) Purdue, Ohio State, Minnesota, Columbia, State University of Iowa, Chicago University, Pittsburgh, Michigan, New York University, and Western Reserve. A large difference in incomes exists between members with MA degrees and those with PhDs. 1 table indicates types of employment; the other 5 tables present income data. The median income for PhDs employed in manufacturing who received their degrees in 1935 or before was $17,100. From Psyc Abstracts 36:01:3AL33D. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)