Addressing religious and spiritual issues in trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy for children and adolescents.

Psychologists have become increasingly concerned with the role of religion and spirituality in resolving childhood physical and sexual abuse, particularly religion-related abuse. In treating victims of child abuse, trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy has emerged as a leading treatment for recovery. In this article, we discuss the relevance of religious and spiritual issues in trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy for children and teens. Using three case studies, we then present a model for assessing and treating religion and spirituality in trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy. This model focuses on the client’s pre-existing religious and spiritual functioning as well as changes in religion/spirituality after abuse. We suggest that this approach will assist clients from various religious and spiritual affiliations to process childhood abuse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrated behavior change techniques for alcoholics.

42 chronic hospitalized alcoholics were Ss in a study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of behavior modification techniques in changing drinking and related behaviors and achieving moderation. The following procedures were studied: videotaped self-confrontation of drunken behavior, discrimination training for blood alcohol concentration, aversion training for overconsumption, discriminated avoidance practice, alcohol education, alternatives training, and behavior counseling. All of the techniques were applied to Group 1, and only the last 3 techniques were applied to Group 2. After 1 yr of follow-up, significant decreases in alcohol intake were observed for both groups, but Group 1 decreased significantly more than Group 2. Favorable changes were also observed in drinking companions, choice of alcoholic beverage, and drinking environment. It is concluded that some chronic alcoholics learned to drink in a controlled manner as a result of the techniques used and the program orientation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Newly developed short behavior scale for use in stroke outcome research

This study was designed to examine the scale quality of our newly developed short behavior scale and to identify its role in predicting the functional outcome of stroke patients. The short behavior scale consists of six items that assess cognitive function related to the daily behavioral status of a patient in activities of daily living and exercise. It can be scored quickly through observation of a patient's behavior. We assessed 190 stroke inpatients, who had a mean age of 61 years. The mean days and length of stay from onset were 47.3 and 138.2, respectively. We examined internal consistency with the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Interrater reliability was tested by having two examiners evaluate 30 patients independently. We studied how the short behavior scale correlated with the admission Functional Independence Measure, Mini-Mental State Examination scores, and speech and visuospatial functions. We also studied how the short behavior scale contributed to the prediction of discharge Functional Independence Measure raw scores with stepwise multiple regression analysis. In another group of 116 patients, we cross-validated our predictive equation. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.88. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.84 for total score. The short behavior scale correlated significantly with cognitive Functional Independence Measure scores and Mini-Mental State Examination scores. We could explain 70.8% of the variance of discharge Functional Independence Measure scores from the Short Behavior Scale, days from onset to admission, age, speech scores, and admission Functional Independence Measure scores. Stability of the predictive equation was shown in cross-validation to a second sample of 116 patients. In conclusion, our newly developed short behavior scale proved reasonable and would be useful to enhance the precision of outcome prediction in stroke rehabilitation.     

Effectiveness of motivational interviewing interventions for adolescent substance use behavior change: A meta-analytic review.

Objective: This study was designed to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) interventions for adolescent substance use behavior change. Method: Literature searches of electronic databases were undertaken in addition to manual reference searches of identified review articles. Databases searched include PsycINFO, PUBMED/MEDLINE, and Educational Resources Information Center. Twenty-one independent studies, representing 5,471 participants, were located and analyzed. Results: An omnibus weighted mean effect size for all identified MI interventions revealed a small, but significant, posttreatment effect size (mean d = .173, 95% CI [.094, .252], n = 21). Small, but significant, effect sizes were observed at follow-up suggesting that MI interventions for adolescent substance use retain their effect over time. MI interventions were effective across a variety of substance use behaviors, varying session lengths, and different settings, and for interventions that used clinicians with different levels of education. Conclusions: The effectiveness of MI interventions for adolescent substance use behavior change is supported by this meta-analytic review. In consideration of these results, as well as the larger literature, MI should be considered as a treatment for adolescent substance use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Instrumentation for operant behavior research.

Reviews instrumental development in behavioral research from modular relay control equipment, and solid-state digital logic to the present-day digital computer. The major advantage in the digital computer is considered to be its "stored-program capability and the fact that the program is a set of logical commands," which can be altered during the course of the experiment by a simple device, i.e., a typewriter keyboard. The fixed ratio 7 (FR7) reinforcement schedule is presented as an example of the applicability of a digital computer in controlling behavioral experiments. The interface of the FR7 required for working wich a pigeon is built around the input-output structure of the LINC computer. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-concept change in behavior modification.

Studied changes in self-concept as a function of behavioral treatment for test anxiety. 72 test-anxious (Alpert-Haber Achievement Anxiety Test) undergraduates were randomly assigned to systematic desensitization (SD) relaxation-training only, or no-treatment control conditions. Levels of test anxiety, self-esteem, and self-ideal-self discrepancy are assessed prior to and following treatment. The SD and relaxation treatments were both effective in reducing test anxiety. Ss' ratings of satisfaction with treatment were equivalent in the 2 treatment conditions. SD Ss showed improvement in self-esteem and significant reductions in self-ideal-self discrepancies; however, Ss who received relaxation training only, or no treatment, did not change significantly. This differential effectiveness of the SD and relaxation procedures is discussed in terms of the beneficial effects of imagined successful coping. Comparisons of Ss' changes in test anxiety and in self-concept suggest that an explanation of change based on simple generalization of treatment effects would be sufficient. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A system for evaluative research in behavior therapy.

A system of monitoring outcome of clinical behavior therapy interventions is proposed so that comprehensive data from these treatments may be used to establish their actual clinical efficacy. All primary problems, broadly categorized as behavioral excesses, deficits, and psychosomatic disorders, treated at the Behaviour Therapy Service had corresponding dependent variables established. Any patient treated is followed pre- and posttreatment and at follow-up with respect to these variables. A patient data collection card was devised to contain these dependent variables and demographic and psychological test data. A session report form was instituted to record these data at each session and to assist in the supervision of the therapists performing the treatment. The system of dependent variable collection will allow for the comparison of the outcome of patients treated for the same symptom for the purpose of establishing outcome probabilities and patient selection criteria. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personal religious practice, risky behavior, and implementation intentions among adolescents.

The benefits of religiousness for promoting well-being and avoiding risky behaviors has long been noted, especially for adolescents, but a precise understanding of the mechanism underlying this effect on risky behaviors has not yet been developed. We hypothesized that religious practices help religious adolescents form implementation intentions (IIs) when pursuing decisions and goals to avoid risky behaviors. We predicted that participants with higher rates of private religious practice would generate greater numbers and higher quality IIs to avoid risky behaviors relative to other participants. In this preliminary exploration, 50 college students completed assessments of private religious practices, risk–benefit evaluations about risky scenarios, and the number and quality of IIs they could generate to avoid risk in those scenarios. Results supported our predictions: After controlling for age and gender, participants who engaged more frequently in private religious practice were able to generate both more and higher quality IIs about avoiding risky scenarios. This provides initial support for the hypothesis that religiousness may protect against risky behaviors by enhancing the abilities of religious adolescents to form IIs to avoid risky behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The empirical and conceptual value of the spiritual transcendence and religious involvement scales for personality research.

Despite their wide usage, the constructs of spirituality and religiosity have no universally accepted definitions, and very little research has examined how these numinous constructs relate both to one another and to established personality dimensions. Two studies are presented that examined the factor structure of a motivationally based measure of spirituality, the Spiritual Transcendence Scale (STS) and a behaviorally based measure of religiosity, the Religious Involvement Scale (RIS). Three causal models examining their relationships to one another and to psychological measures of growth and maturity, as well as their incremental validity in predicting a wide array of psychosocial outcomes over the influence of the Five-Factor Model domains were examined. Employing self and observer ratings and American and Filipino samples, the results demonstrated that these robust, cross-culturally generalizable scales provided insights into people not contained by traditional personality variables. The conceptual implications of these results were discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evidence-based parent training and family interventions for school behavior change.

In this article the guidelines of the Evidence-Based Interventions in School Psychology Task Force were used to evaluate the efficacy of parent training and family intervention for changing children's school behavior. Nineteen parent training and five family intervention studies that were conducted in schools, had a school treatment component, or included measurement of school change were identified and coded. Results found one parent training program and one family intervention to be proven efficacious across two randomized clinical trials. Several family interventions were probably efficacious or promising. Despite the established link between the family environment and school behavior, parent training and family interventions are uncommon in schools, and clinic-based treatment studies infrequently measure generalization of parent and family interventions to the school setting. Future researchers are encouraged to address these limitations and to include samples representative of the diversity of the public schools in family-focused intervention studies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrated behavior change techniques for problem drinkers in the community.

Evaluated the therapeutic potential of learning techniques in changing abusive drinking patterns and achieving moderation using 80 regularly employed drinkers with intact families, remaining self-esteem, but also alcohol-related problems. The following procedures were studied: videotaped self-confrontation of drunken behavior, aversion training for overconsumption, discrimination training for blood alcohol concentration, alternatives training, behavior counseling, and alcohol education. All the techniques were applied to Group 1 (n?=?23), the last 4 to Group 2 (n?=?19), alcohol education only to Group 3 (n?=?21), and the last 3 to Group 4 (n?=?17). Tests administered included the California Psychological Inventory, the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, and Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control Scale. During the 1st yr of follow-up, significant decreases in alcohol intake were found for all groups, and the percentage of moderate drinkers changed from 0% to 62.5%. Significant differences between groups were not found. The effects on outcome of a large variance in pretreatment S characteristics such as alcohol intake, the amount of possible change in intake, the program's learning orientation, and blind follow-up are discussed as factors that may partially account for the lack of differential treatment effects. It is concluded that moderation is a more attainable and feasible goal for problem drinkers than for chronic alcoholics. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-affirmation promotes health behavior change.

Objective: Evidence shows that self-affirmation has a positive effect on message acceptance and other variables that motivate health behavior change; however, this has not been translated into actual behavioral change. We propose that particular features of the previous studies may account for this failure; the current study addresses this. It is designed to test whether a self-affirmation manipulation can increase a health-promoting behavior (fruit and vegetable consumption). It also explores the extent to which efficacy variables mediate the self-affirmation and behavior relationship. Design: Women (N = 93) were randomly allocated to a self-affirmation or control task prior to reading a message regarding the health-promoting effects of fruit and vegetables. Main Outcome-Measures: Response-efficacy, self-efficacy, and intention measures were taken immediately after exposure to the message, followed by a 7-day diary record of fruit and vegetable consumption. Results: Self-affirmed participants ate significantly more portions of fruit and vegetables, an increase of approximately 5.5 portions across the week, in comparison to the control group. This effect was mediated by response-efficacy. Conclusion: Self-affirmation interventions can successfully influence health-promoting behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Complex tasks for use in human problem-solving research.

Consideration is given to the use in human problem-solving research of measuring instruments, standard materials, and research techniques. 29 complex tasks, culled from the literature, are described, followed by several possibly useful task-attributes. Among the types of scores usable in problem-solving tasks are those that are easily quantifiable (success or failure, error scores, time scores), not as easily quantifiable (assistance scores, deficiency scores, elegance and neatness of the solution), and several types of qualitative scores. Problem solving and reasoning are wanting in not only theory, but also in the establishment of and prediction from dimensionable independent variables. 39 references. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Guidelines for psychologists for the use of drugs in research.

The general principle of the American Psychological Association guidelines states that psychologists or psychology students who conduct research with drugs should have adequate knowledge and experiences of each drug's action and comply with procedural guidelines. These include (a) adherence to federal and state laws for obtaining and using drugs, (b) scientific justification for drug usage, and (c) provision of precautionary measures so that potentially harmful drugs are available to authorized personnel only. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality influences on change in smoking behavior.

Objective: To investigate associations between personality traits in early adulthood (and changes in them) and change in smoking status. Design: Prospective, longitudinal study of a general-population birth cohort. Main Outcome Measures: We measured smoking at ages 18, 26, and 32, and personality at ages 18 and 26 using the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (Tellegen & Waller, in press). We assessed personality’s ability to predict future smoking, and assessed how changes in personality traits relate to change in smoking status. Results: Higher aggression and alienation at age 18 predicted smoking at 26; higher self-control and traditionalism at age 18 predicted nonsmoking at 26; and higher alienation at age 26 predicted persistence of smoking to age 32. Personality change between 18 and 26 was associated with change in smoking behavior; those who stopped smoking decreased more than others in negative emotionality and increased more in constraint. Conclusion: These findings suggest that interventions fostering personality change may be effective in reducing smoking and indicate appropriate targets for such antismoking interventions in young people. In particular, high alienation predicted smoking persistence, perhaps due to resistance to existing antismoking messages; we discuss approaches that may overcome this. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Childhood religious affiliation and alcohol use and abuse across the lifespan in alcohol-dependent men.

The current study examined the relationship between childhood religious affiliation and alcohol use across the life span. A sample of 931 men (average age of 51) from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry, which includes an overrepresentation of alcohol-dependent men, completed the Lifetime Drinking History interview, which assessed drinking across the life span. Childhood religious affiliation was obtained from the men's spouse/partner. Affiliations were subdivided into four categories: nonreligious, accommodating (religions that are relatively more accepting of the larger culture), differentiating (religions that set themselves apart from the larger culture), and Catholic. Differences in a variety of alcohol use variables by religious affiliation were examined, as well as the protective effect of childhood religious affiliation on three alcohol use variables at 5-year intervals from age 20 to age 50. Significant differences were found for abstinence, regular drinking, and current quantity-frequency (QFI) scores, with individuals in differentiating religions having the highest rates of abstinence/nonregular drinking and the lowest consumption levels. When examining QFI and alcohol dependence symptoms and diagnoses over time, the nonreligious group had more alcohol use than the religious groups, with the differentiating affiliations showing the least alcohol use. The differences between affiliations were not always significant, but the consistent pattern suggests that childhood religious affiliation may continue to affect alcohol use even into adulthood. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sociocultural change and adolescents' perceptions of parent behavior.

Administered the Children's Report of Parent Behavior Inventory (CRPBI) and an SES scale to 1,949 13–18 yr olds from 2 cities in India and to 364 age-matched Ss from 1 city in Canada. Indian Ss were designated as traditional or transitional according to the values they were taught (traditional Indian vs modern Western); Canadian Ss were designated as modern. Factor analyses of CRPBI scales revealed 3 replicable factors: Acceptance, Firm Control (FC), and Psychological Control (PC). ANOVAs were used to test the effects of culture, sex, age, and SES on the 3 CRPBI factors. Younger Ss consistently reported more PC and FC than did older ones. Modern Ss reported the most FC, and traditional Ss reported the most PC. Even though higher SES correlated with lower PC and FC, statistical SES control did not attenuate the strong cultural differences for PC. Results suggest considerable congruence between demands and parental socialization practices. (45 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Accounting for the use of behavior technologies in social psychology.

Considerable scholarly effort in social psychology is devoted to the development of techniques that change behavior. In this article, the social and political forces that have guided the development of these techniques are examined. Also, ethical and psychological issues associated with the use of behavior technologies are discussed. These issues arise from the fact that to change behavior, it must first be controlled. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The use of homework in behavior therapy for anxiety disorders.

In this article, the authors discuss the role of homework in behavior therapy for the anxiety disorders. First, the authors describe the essential components of behavior therapy that include exposure to feared consequences and cessation of all avoidance behaviors. Then, the authors briefly review the literature on the relationship between homework compliance and treatment outcome. Next, the authors discuss the way that homework is used in terms of self-monitoring and exposure exercises during the course of treatment. Finally, the authors discuss the practicalities of encouraging homework compliance and managing noncompliance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)