Clinical and translational research: Introduction to the special issue.

This special issue represents an effort by the journal Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology to emphasize its interdisciplinary mission by encouraging the writing of articles on clinical research and the interchange between basic and clinical research on mental illness and the addictions. This special issue opens with a commentary from A. I. Leshner (2002), retired director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which emphasizes the importance of translating research findings into clinical practice. Four review articles and 12 original research reports provide a broad sampling of contemporary clinical research, including behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, psychiatric comorbidity, and special populations, and also illustrate linkages between clinical research and basic fields of inquiry, including behavioral theory, neuropsychology, neuropharmacology, and statistics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hypnosis and clinical pain.

Hypnosis has been demonstrated to reduce analogue pain, and studies on the mechanisms of laboratory pain reduction have provided useful applications to clinical populations. Studies showing central nervous system activity during hypnotic procedures offer preliminary information concerning possible physiological mechanisms of hypnotic analgesia. Randomized controlled studies with clinical populations indicate that hypnosis has a reliable and significant impact on acute procedural pain and chronic pain conditions, Methodological issues of this body of research are discussed, as are methods to better integrate hypnosis into comprehensive pain treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the special section on multicultural and community psychology: Clinical psychology in context.

Human behavior occurs in the contexts of culture and community. Yet, clinical psychology has traditionally focused on the individual, neglecting the individual's context. The purpose of this Special Section is to address the underlying conceptual issues in integrating multicultural and community psychology within a common framework. The integration of etic and emic approaches distinguishes the research programs in these articles from others that have solely focused on universal or culture-specific approaches. Issues facing ethnic minority populations are addressed, including identification of risk and protective factors, obstacles to mental health service use, and optimal treatment effectiveness. The integration of culture and community contexts into clinical psychology is necessary for it to remain relevant in an increasingly diverse 21st century. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The search for dimensional structure differences between normality and abnormality: A statistical review of published data on personality and psychopathology.

A statistical review of published data for 37 personality and psychopathology inventories was conducted to determine whether there are dimensional structure differences between clinical and nonclinical respondents. Correlation and factor-loading matrices from multiscale inventories and from specialized measures were tested for structural invariance across populations. There was relatively consistent evidence for high levels of similarity between normal and abnormal populations both in the number of factors that exist in the data matrices and in the factor patterns. The dimensional universes of normality and abnormality are apparently the same, at least according to data derived from contemporary assessment instruments. Categorical-taxonic differences between clinical and nonclinical populations, which were not examined, may nevertheless exist within contexts of dimensional structure similarity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Erratum to Searleman.

Reports an error in the article "A Review of Right Hemisphere Linguistic Capabilities" by Alan Searleman (Psychological Bulletin, 1977, Vol. 84, No. 3, pp. S03-S28). It is stated that Kohn and Dennis (1974) are convinced of a complete transfer of speech and language to the right hemisphere in left-hemispherectomized infantile hemiplegics. This claim is erroneous in that it overstates the degree of transfer reported by Kohn and Dennis. (The following abstract originally appeared in record 1978-00199-001) Observations made upon clinical populations during the last century have largely been responsible for supplanting the traditional view that the human cerebral hemispheres are structurally and functionally identical. Although today the left hemisphere is viewed as being responsible for most language functioning, in recent years evidence has accumulated that suggests that the right hemisphere also possesses linguistic skills. The present article surveys the available evidence for right hemisphere linguistic capabilities from both clinical and normal populations, including data from handedness, brain damage, hemispherectomy, and commissurotomy studies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of WISC-IV: Clinical Use and Interpretation: Scientist-Practitioner Perspectives.

Reviews the book, WISC-IV: Clinical Use and Interpretation: Scientist-Practitioner Perspectives by Aurelio Prifitera, Donald Saklofske, and Lawrence Weiss (Eds.) (see record 2004-21518-000). This review describes the book's twofold purpose as presenting an introduction to the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th Edition (WISC-IV) and describing its use in some common clinical populations. The reviewer asserts that the title, "Scientist-Practitioner Perspectives", leads the reader to believe that there will be an evidenced-based approach taken to the use of the WISC-IV in these special populations. This is a tall order given that the WISC-IV has only been released and there has been little research completed using it. Most of the evidence provided is based instead on the WISC-III. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dynamics of Race and Culture in the Supervisory Encounter.

The rapid increase in racial/ethnic minority populations in the United States implicates the necessity of implementing new approaches to the training of psychologists. The author proposes that the integration of racial and cultural diversity related issues in clinical supervision is an essential component of clinical and teaching competence, which has important implications for the provision of services to ethnic minorities and, more broadly, to better addressing the full realm of clients' intrapsychic and interpersonal worlds. Psychodynamic aspects of the supervisory encounter, such as the narcissistic struggles of the supervisor and supervisee and racial and cultural elements in transference, contribute to supervisory interactions around race and culture. Clinical illustrations are discussed to elaborate these dynamic processes. Recommendations for supervisors on how to explore race and culture in a safe supervisory space are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Guest editor's overview.

Editorial emphasizes the the degree to which the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 have relevance to psychologists in terms of their practice, research, and training. As mentioned by Robert Pollard in the preface to this special issue, this is one of two companion special issues on the ADA which are being published simultaneously by Rehabilitation Psychology and Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research. In these issues, the significance of the ADA to psychologists in such areas as assessment, reasonable accommodation considerations with special populations, new consulting opportunities, and training are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological Testing on the Internet: New Problems, Old Issues.

The Internet has significantly changed the way people conduct business, communicate, and live. In this article, the authors' focus is on how the Internet influences the practice of psychology as it relates to testing and assessment. The report includes 5 broad sections: background and context, new problems yet old issues, issues for special populations, ethical and professional issues, and recommendations for the future. Special attention is paid to implications for people with disabling conditions and culturally and linguistically diverse persons. The authors conclude that ethical responsibilities of psychologists and current psychometric standards, particularly those regarding test reliability and validity, apply even though the way in which the tests are developed and used may be quite different. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological Assessment in Asia: Introduction to the Special Section.

Psychological assessment with Asians is an important topic not only for psychologists from Asian countries but also for psychologists in multicultural societies with large populations of ethnic Asians. There is a dearth of information in the English language literature on psychological assessment for Asians. This special section is organized to review various forms of psychological assessment in Asia. The objectives of the special section are to inform test users and researchers of the issues related to cross-cultural validity of psychological assessment in Asia and to introduce examples of adapted and indigenously developed instruments that are culturally appropriate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Smoking cessation: Next steps for special populations research and innovative treatments.

Objective: The current introductory article provides the rationale for the special section on understudied smokers and innovative treatments. This article proposes a definition of “special populations” of smokers, outlines a priori criteria by which to judge whether an intervention should be adapted for these smokers, and delineates a process by which cultural adaptation of an intervention can be achieved. Next steps for innovative, theory-based treatments with special populations and with general populations of smokers are discussed. Method: Special populations of smokers are defined as having (a) >10% higher smoking prevalence than the general population of smokers, (b) disproportionate tobacco-related health disparities, (c) less access to treatments, and (d) a lack of prospective, longitudinal treatment trials. Results: Cultural adaptation of evidenced-based treatments (EBTs) for underserved smokers should be applied more widely, outside the bounds of race and ethnicity, but also judiciously, following several a priori criteria. Cultural adaptation may be justified if the target population differs from the general population in (a) rates and patterns of smoking, (b) burden of tobacco-related health diseases, (c) predictors of smoking behavior, (d) risk factors for treatment failure, (e) protective factors that facilitate quitting, (f) treatment engagement, (g) treatment response, and (h) perceived social validity of the EBT. Once these criteria are met, four phases of cultural adaptation of an EBT for the target population are proposed. Innovative treatments need to be developed that use novel channels and linkages between channels; test novel theories or build on mechanisms research to more accurately pinpoint targets of change; and increase consumer demand for EBTs. Conclusion: The process of cultural adaptation should be thoughtfully conducted with a priori definitions and criteria as well as standardized processes. Coupled with innovative, theory-based treatments, these considerations could help to jump-start stalled smoking cessation rates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Transgender and gender variant populations with mental illness: Implications for clinical care.

There is a scarcity of literature on clinical care for transgender and gender variant populations with serious mental illness. At times, gender identity issues among individuals with serious mental illness have been labeled as delusions that should not be reinforced by providers. However, there are significant limitations to attributing gender variance among populations with mental illness solely to a psychotic process. The following case study research demonstrates the variation in gender identity issues among individuals with serious mental illness. These individuals may experience gender dysphoria exclusively in the context of acute psychosis or may have gender identity issues that are distinct from the mental illness. Denial of an individual's gender variant presentation by treatment staff may heighten distress, thus interfering with a collaborative treatment alliance while posing additional barriers to recovery from mental illness. Implications and applications for clinical training and further research will be presented in order to promote awareness and competent care of gender issues when co-occurring with mental illness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Blackwell handbook of language development.

Reviews the book Blackwell handbook of language development, edited by Erika Hoff and Marilyn Shatz (see record 2007-00509-000). This book focuses on charting language development across monolingual and bilingual contexts for both typical and atypical learners. Rather than arranging discussions around each language component (which at times, might make for more efficient reading), the book successfully captures the complexities of language development across time. Part 1 of the handbook covers the organic and environmental bases of language development and theories that have been posited to explain this development. Part 2 tackles language learning during infancy, highlighting the fact that the abilities of the infant and the richness of the input result, almost invariably, in language acquisition. Part 3 of the handbook covers early childhood language development. Part 4 covers language development after early childhood, when most developing children learn and master a more sophisticated language use. Finally, Part 5 talks about language development in special populations. Chapters here discuss issues such as the relationship between the development of language and other abilities as well as the organic factors that hinder typical language development. This section also touches on what is yet to be discovered; for example, the link between IQ and language development in special populations. This handbook offers detailed information on topics in language development that have long fascinated researchers and practitioners in the field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the special section on developing guidelines for the evidence-based assessment (EBA) of adult disorders.

The goal of this special section is to encourage greater awareness of evidence-based assessment (EBA) in the development of a scientifically supported clinical psychology. In this introductory article, the authors describe the elements that authors in this special section were asked to consider in their focused reviews (including the scope of available psychometric evidence, advancements in psychopathology research, and evidence of attention to factors such as gender, age, and ethnicity in measure validation). The authors then present central issues evident in the articles that deal with anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and couple distress and in the accompanying commentaries. The authors conclude by presenting key themes emerging from the articles in this special section, including gaps in psychometric information, limited information about the utility of assessment, the discrepancy between recommended EBAs and current training and practice, and the need for further data on the process of clinical assessment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Two tails of the normal curve: Similarities and differences in the study of mental retardation and giftedness.

Professionals in the fields of mental retardation and giftedness have much to teach each other as well as the field of human development in general. Examining the commonalities and differences between the fields in social issues, definitions, developmental differences from the norm, values and policy issues, and educational and long-term implications deepens insights about both normal and deviant development. The authors stress the importance of individual differences in the differential design of educational strategies and the application of approaches developed with specialized populations to normally developing children. Current social inequalities affect both of these fields in particular ways. Finally, numerous research agendas can be enhanced by including representatives of both ends of the normal curve. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differential symptom expression and somatization in Thai versus U.S. children.

Individuals react in a variety of ways when experiencing environmental challenges exceeding their capacity to cope adaptively. Some researchers have suggested that Asian populations tend to react to excessive stress with somatic symptoms, whereas Western populations tend to respond more with affective or depressive symptoms. Other researchers, however, have suggested that such differences may represent different approaches to help seeking rather than actual variations in prevalence. The present study compared somatic versus affective symptoms in U.S. and Thai children from community and mental health clinic samples. In the clinic-referred sample, Thai children were reported to have higher levels of somatic versus depressive symptoms relative to U.S. children, whereas in the community sample, both groups were reported to have slightly higher levels of depressive than somatic symptoms. Because a primary difference between clinic-referred and community samples is that the former have been through the clinical referral process (i.e., were seeking help), these results suggest that differences in somatic versus depressive symptom presentation may be related to help-seeking behavior, at least for the samples involved in this study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cultural competence and evidence-based practice in mental health services: A complementary perspective.

The need for cultural competence and the need for evidence-based practice in mental health services are major issues in contemporary discourse, especially in the psychological treatment of people of color. Although these 2 paradigms are complementary in nature, there is little cross-fertilization in the psychological literature. The present article illustrates the complementary nature of these 2 paradigms. A main point of convergence is related to the development of culturally adapted interventions in the move from efficacy research to effectiveness studies. The implications of cultural adaptations of empirically supported treatments for mental health services in terms of research and practice with ethnic/racial minority populations are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Group psychotherapy with addicted populations.

Reviews the book, Group psychotherapy with addicted populations by Philip J. Flores (1988). Dr. Flores has written a handbook which provides a well-documented overview on abstinence-oriented group psychotherapy for chemically (i.e., alcohol and drug) dependent populations. Practitioners, teachers, and students in a variety of disciplines will appreciate this volume's integration of diverse perspectives and also its detailed index. Overall, the reviewer feels that the book has merit. The reviewer found it well written with an admirable combination of conversational and scholarly styles and excellent use of case illustrations. There is information in this volume of value to the novice as well as the experienced group therapist. This book, however, has some flaws and notable omissions. First, the words "addicted populations" in the title may mislead some, who may not realize that the focus is primarily on alcohol and secondarily on illicit drugs, while other habitual or compulsive behaviors (cigarette smoking, eating disorders, etc.) are not mentioned at all. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Suicidality in nursing home residents: Part II. Special issues.

Professional psychologists working with suicidal nursing home residents often deal with a host of special issues that may not be relevant to other populations. This review article (Part 2 of a series) was written to acquaint professionals with the concept of indirect self-destructive behavior and dealing with ethical concerns. This article also summarizes health care systems issues, including how to involve staff and family members in assessment and management, as well as understanding Medicare/Medicaid related concerns and public policy regarding long-term care. The article concludes with information about training and continuing education offerings for psychologists who need more information about working in nursing home settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Genes, Race, and Psychology in the Genome Era: An Introduction.

The mapping of the human genome has reawakened interest in the topic of race and genetics, especially the use of genetic technology to examine racial differences in complex outcomes such as health and intelligence. Advances in genomic research challenge psychology to address the myriad conceptual, methodological, and analytical issues associated with research on genetics and race. In addition, the field needs to understand the numerous social, ethical, legal, clinical, and policy implications of research in this arena. Addressing these issues should not only benefit psychology but could also serve to guide such thought in other fields, including molecular biology. The purpose of this special issue is to begin a discussion of this issue of race and genetics within the field of psychology. Several scholars who work in the fields of genetics, race, or related areas were invited to write (or had previously submitted) articles sharing their perspectives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)