Psychological profiles of purging bulimics, repeat dieters, and controls.

In Study 1, 29 female undergraduates who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) criteria for bulimia were compared with 2 nonbulimic groups drawn from the same S pool. One group consisted of 27 Ss who reported feeling dissatisfied with their weight and engaged in repeated dieting attempts but not bulimic behavior. The 2nd comparison group consisted of 27 Ss who reported feeling satisfied with their weight and not dieting within the last year. Measures included the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Personal Attributes Questionnaire, and Tennessee Self-Concept Scale. All Ss scored in the normal range, but bulimics scored significantly higher than the 2 comparison groups on a number of clinical scales. Also, the bulimics and repeat dieters reported lower self-esteem than did the nondieting group. The major discriminating variables—psychopathic deviance, mania, and physical self-esteem—separated all 3 groups and accounted for 78% of the explained variance. Study 2 was conducted with 27 current bulimic women, 12 former bulimics, 29 nondieters, and 31 repeat dieters. Results confirm the importance of physical self-esteem and psychopathic deviance in differentiating between groups. This study also revealed that bulimics engaged in sexual activities and in the adolescent acting-out behaviors of drug and alcohol use more frequently, and at an earlier age, than did the 2 comparison groups. Implications for therapeutic interventions are discussed. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hidden grandiosity in bulimics.

A hidden grandiosity in bulimics, with supporting case material (with adult female clients) and a theoretical framework, is described. The author describes its relation to social pressures, its masked manifestations, how it functions in the bulimic's psychic economy, how it emerges in therapy, and treatment strategies. The trait is described as relevant to well-known features of bulimia, such as black-and-white thinking, perfectionism, different rules for self and others, and specialness. Of particular relevance are the connections to borderline personality disorder, narcissistic injury, and ego deficits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recovery and relapse in former bulimics.

21 undergraduate women who met criteria for bulimia nervosa (BN) for 3 mo completed the SCL-90 (Revised), the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI), and a recovery questionnaire. From among 3 definitions of recovery in BN, the majority of the Ss endorsed the definition "I am recovered but still struggle with food, weight, and/or body image." Elevated scores on the EDI were correlated with feeling an increased likelihood of relapse, an increased level of psychological distress, and a shorter period of being recovered. However, the Body Dissatisfaction, Perfectionism, and Interpersonal Distrust subscales of the EDI may not be reliable indicators of distress or confidence in one's recovery. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relapse crises and coping among dieters.

We examined situational antecedents of dieting relapse crises and dieters' attempts to cope with temptations to overeat. We analyzed postreatment interviews with 57 obese Ss with Type II diabetes, comparing situations in which Ss lapsed with those in which they overcame temptation to overeat. Cluster analysis yielded 3 categories of relapse crises: mealtime, low-arousal, and emotional upset situations. The cluster differed in outcome: Upset situations almost always resulted in overeating; situational factors, especially food-related cues, increased relapse risk; but performance of coping was the strongest correlate of outcome. Cognitive and behavioral coping responses were each equally associated with positive outcomes. When Ss reported combining both types of coping, they were less likely to report overeating. The dynamics of relapse crises among dieters resemble those that govern relapse crises in addictive behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological and related characteristics of smokers and nonsmokers.

The relatively few (44) studies available comparing smokers and nonsmokers on a variety of variables (e.g., age, sex, anxiety, alcohol consumption) reveal many statistically significant differences along with considerable overlap between the 2 groups. Variables such as divorce, anxiety, neuroticism, and high consumption of coffee or alcohol are a few of the factors found to be more characteristic of smokers. Variables such as race (white vs. negro), education, and IQ do not differentiate between smokers and nonsmokers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological characteristics of Neighborhood Youth Corps enrollees.

The entire enrollment (111 males, 150 females) of an area Neighborhood Youth Corps (NYC) was administered the CPI to facilitate program planning and evaluation. Compared to high school norms, all the enrollees showed significant achievement problems and social immaturity; the boys were more extreme than the girls. They also showed a greater potential for dropping out of school and for acting-out delinquent behavior. The NYC results were also compared with norms developed on high school disciplinary problems and school dropouts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The dropout problem in outpatient psychotherapy groups for bulimics and compulsive eaters.

Two sets of factors explain the high dropout rate in eating disorder groups: the characteristics of this population and general group management problems. Predictable stages in the dropping-out process are described, based on the author's experience with overweight overeaters, normal-weight overeaters, and bulimics. Structural, strategic, and clinical solutions to the dropout problem are offered. Therapists can minimize the dropout problem by screening, by preparing members for uncomfortable moments, and by interpreting them when they arise. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distractibility in dieters and nondieters: An alternative view of "externality."

Performed 2 experiments in an investigation of the effects of distraction and emotional arousal on the proofreading performance of 60 dieting and nondieting female undergraduates. In Exp I, it was found that distraction initially impaired the performance of dieters and facilitated the performance of nondieters, a pattern previously shown by J. Rodin (see record 1973-27101-001) to apply to obese and normal weight Ss, respectively, and interpreted as evidence of greater externality in the obese. Subsequent retesting of the same Ss in succeeding months, however, revealed a complete reversal of the original results. In Exp II, the reaction to distraction found in the first phase of Exp I was obtained when Ss were in a situation of minimal threat. In a situation of high threat, the relative distractibility of dieters was reversed, as in the latter phases of Exp I. An explanation is offered for these data in terms of the greater emotionality of dieters, the susceptibility of cognitive performance to arousal (distraction, anxiety) manipulations, and the potentially competing effects of distraction and anxiety. Implications for the prevailing "trait" view of externality (stimulus binding) are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological characteristics of candidates for liver transplantation

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate, in a group practice setting, the effects of combining information about drug costs with adoption of a voluntary low-cost protocol. DESIGN: Prospective before-and-after intervention comparison study. SETTING: Private practice anesthesiology group (certified registered nurse-anesthetists and anesthesiologists) of a large midwestern for-profit hospital. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Clinical outcome and anesthesia-related drug cost were examined for coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and lumbar laminectomy (LL). There were no restrictions on the use of any drug if warranted by the patient's condition. 135 consecutive prospective (P) cases performed by the anesthesiology group after the intervention were retrospectively matched by surgery type and surgeon to cases done 9 months prior to the protocol to form the retrospective control group (R) resulting in a total sample of 270 subjects. Significant cost reductions were seen in LC-(57%), LL-(42%), and CABG-(37%). The largest cost reductions were opioids (78%), induction drugs (50%), and muscle relaxants (41%). There were no differences in pain, nausea, or hypertension scores between the P and R groups, but there were minor differences in recovery room, oxygen therapy, and dismissal times between the R and P groups of LC and LL patients. There were no differences in anesthetic outcome for CABG patients between the P and R groups. A follow-up survey completed 4 months after the study demonstrated that muscle relaxant costs and fresh gas flow rates and costs had returned to preintervention levels, while opioid and induction drug savings were maintained. CONCLUSIONS: A private practice anesthesia group that followed a voluntary protocol could significantly reduce drug cost with little change in clinical outcome. However, the savings may not be completely maintained after the monitoring period.     

Psychological characteristics of South African street children

Research has shown that no treatment program designed for street children can succeed unless the community is prepared to respect, protect, and provide opportunities for them (Tacon, cited in Schurink & Rip, 1993). Unfortunately, these children are abused in many parts of the world (Aptekar, 1994). This paper investigates why the general public, as well as those charged with enforcing the law, often treat street children with scorn and hostility.     

Membership characteristics of the Division of School Psychology of the American Psychological Association.

Provides statistics on the composition and characteristics of the American Psychological Association's Division of School Psychology. Information from membership records of the Division, the American Psychological Association 1972 Membership Register, and a questionnaire sent to approximately 150 members reveals that of the Division's total membership of 2,485, 49% have earned the doctorate (58% male and 33% female) and 51% hold the MA or BA degree. Approximately 75% of the members-68.2% male and 84.6% female-are employed principally in nonuniversity settings. Other findings show that 47.8, 48.1, and 4.1% of the female members are Associates, Members, and Fellows, respectively, while 36.3, 57.9, and 5.7% of the male members have the same roles. Although women represented less than 40% of Division membership in June 1973, they held more than half of the seats on the Executive Committee. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Restrained eating among adolescents: Dieters are not always bingers and bingers are not always dieters.

This study examined individual differences in the relationships among 3 constructs relevant to restrained eating theory—cognitive restraint (dieting), disinhibition (bingeing), and hunger. Participants were 421 adolescents (158 male, 255 female, and 8 not indicated). Comparisons among subgroups based on scores on the 3 constructs indicated that there were (a) 2 types of frequent dieters—those who follow theoretical predictions and become disinhibited and those who maintain their restraint; (b) 2 types of bingers—those who engage in dieting-induced bingeing and those who are hungry and disinhibited; and (c) 2 types of low-hunger eaters—those who suppress their hunger and those who eat before they experience much hunger. Implications of the results for restrained eating theory are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

High resting energy expenditure in normal-weight bulimics and its normalization with control of eating behaviour

Combined anterior and posterior fusion with posterior instrumentation may be indicated in the treatment of select cases of L5-S1 spondylolisthesis. The instrumentation, however, is expensive and usually bulky, occasionally requiring removal. In an effort to avoid these problems, an L5-S1 paralaminar screw technique was developed for posterior stabilization after an L5-S1 anterior interbody fusion. The technique involves the placement of cortical screws from the base of the articular process of S1 to the pedicle of L5. This study evaluates the anatomic applications and clinical results of this technique. The relationship between the screw and L5 nerve root was examined using five cadaveric specimens with olisthesis of 0, 25, 50, and 75%. This work demonstrates that the screws can only be inserted safely if an L5-S1 olisthesis of at least 25% is present. If < 25%, the screws will either impinge on or directly injure the L5 nerve root. In the clinical study, the outcomes of 20 patients who had an isthmic spondylolisthesis of 25-81% and were treated with partial reduction, L5-S1 anterior interbody fusion, and L5-S1 posterior paralaminar screw fixation were reviewed. Nineteen patients had adequate posterior stabilization to completely heal an L5-S1 anterior interbody fusion without loss of the correction. In one patient, a pseudarthrosis occurred secondary to poor surgical technique of both anterior and posterior fusions. This patient required an additional L4-S1 posterior fusion 9 months later and had a good clinical outcome. No other complications due to screw placement occurred. We conclude that this procedure can be used safely and reliably for the posterior stabilization of L5-S1 after stable anterior L5-S1 interbody fusion in residual slips of at least 25%. Prerequisites are proper patient compliance and low weight. Compared with other posterior instrumentation systems, this screw fixation is inexpensive and does not require implant removal. The disadvantages of the method are the degree of difficulty of the procedure and the limited clinical application to cases of L5-S1 spondylolisthesis with corrected residual slips of 25 to 50-60%. The procedure is technically demanding and should be limited to those surgeons who are comfortable with the method.     

Psychological and multidisciplinary corporations.

After noting the benefits and disadvantages of professional incorporation for psychologists, the professional incorporation statutes in the 50 states and the District of Columbia were reviewed to determine the extent to which they permitted psychologists to form such corporations. Only 8 states (Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia) appeared to preclude psychologists from such corporate benefits. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological Notes and News.

This article provides news and notes pertinent to the American Psychological Association and its members. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nursing and Psychological Treatments.

Presents a comment on "Psychological Treatments" (see record 2004-21168-001) by D. H. Barlow. In his article, Barlow pointed to the need "to solidify the identification of psychology as a health care profession" by changing the terminology of practice in the health care context from psychotherapy to psychological treatments and suggested that the only persons qualified to carry out such interventions are doctoral-level psychologists. Unfortunately, there was no discussion of the health care professionals who already provide psychological treatments in health care settings and their contribution to the evidence base supporting such treatment. The authors find several aspects of the article to be problematic. Overall, the authors feel that suggesting that psychology should claim treatment of psychological disorders and psychological components of physical disorders in health care settings as exclusively its own domain ignores the research and clinical contributions of others. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological diagnostics.

Describes procedures for determining the presence vs. absence and sequential organization of cognitive processes involved in transitivity, conservation, and addition/subtraction of units. It is concluded that complex inferences are necessary to diagnose even fairly simple processes. Mental processes have the status of constructs and are frequently operationally anchored, not to physically defined stimulus and response categories, but to the meanings of the S's acts. The constructs and their anchorings are always tentative and subject to continuous revision. It is argued that valid diagnosis of the presence vs. absence and form of mental processes is a prerequisite to fruitful higher level theorizing. (16 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)