Treatment outcome and follow-up evaluation based on client case records in a mental health center.

Assessed the outcome of treatment of 121 mental health center clients (11–70 yrs of age), using therapist and independent global improvement ratings and independent ratings of notes in case records based on a client-specific goal-oriented outcome technique (Goal Attainment Scaling; GAS). Telephone follow-up of 50 clients provided a 2nd GAS assessment, client global improvement ratings, and 3 consumer satisfaction ratings. Findings indicate that (a) independently determined GAS scores and therapist and independent global ratings converged significantly, (b) the GAS procedure provided some increase in accuracy as well as an increase in specificity of outcome, and (c) client global ratings may reflect satisfaction with treatment rather than outcome. In view of the intercorrelations among measures and the relationship between GAS scores determined from case records and telephone interviews, case records may provide for accurate assessment of client problems and treatment success. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of assigned versus participatively set goals, knowledge of results, and individual differences on employee behavior when goal difficulty is held constant.

In Exp I, 60 female clerical workers were randomly assigned to participative, assigned, and "do best" goal conditions on a clerical test. Specific goals led to higher performance than did the "do best" goals. With goal difficulty held constant, there was no significant difference between the assigned and participative conditions on performance or goal acceptance. Goal attainment, however, was higher in the assigned condition than it was in the participative condition. No main or interaction effects were found for knowledge of results (KR) or for individual difference measures with performance or goal acceptance. However, high self-esteem Ss who received KR attained their goals more often than did Ss with low self-esteem when the goals were participatively set. Exp II was conducted with 28 employees from the same sample in a performance-appraisal setting over an 8-mo period. Assigned goals resulted in higher performance and greater goal acceptance than participatively set goals. There was a positive linear relationship between goal difficulty and performance in the participative condition only. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Performance following ability-focused physical therapy intervention in individuals with severely limited physical and cognitive abilities

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Do individuals with severely limited physical and cognitive abilities improve their gross motor abilities when given physical therapy intervention, and does improvement transfer to nontreatment settings? SUBJECTS: The subjects were 24 individuals (10 female, 14 male), aged 3 to 30 years (X = 20.1, SD = 8.1), who were nonambulatory and had limited adaptive behavior. METHODS: Change in gross motor ability during 18 weeks of twice-weekly therapy was measured using goal attainment scaling (GAS). Three gross motor goals were developed for each subject based on individual or caregiver needs, with one goal randomly selected as a control. Physical impairments were treated, and behavioral management principles, low-level communication approaches, high-repetition practice of goals, and a progressive reduction of both physical assistance and multisensory cues were used. An independent rater scored goal level from randomly ordered videotapes recorded during therapy and in recess and home settings. RESULTS: Mean GAS T scores were higher for treatment goals (X = 45.6, SD = 10.5) compared with control goals (X = 34.6, SD = 11.8). When the expected goal level (50) was met during therapy, mean GAS T scores in recess settings ( X = 35.9, SD = 11.5) and home settings (X = 42.2, SD = 12.2) were lower. At the conclusion of therapy, there were no differences in goal levels between treatment and control goals in both the recess and home settings. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The subjects demonstrated improvement of gross motor abilities practiced during therapy. Level of ability during therapy, however, did not consistently transfer to the recess of home settings. [Brown DA, Effgen SK, Palisano RJ. Performance following ability-focused physical therapy intervention in individuals with severely limited physical and cognitive abilities.     

The efficacy of supportive learning environments for returning women: An empirical evaluation.

Conducted 2 studies of 103 women to evaluate the efficacy of programs designed to meet the needs of today's changing women. The studies sought to determine whether changes that would influence women's life styles could occur by providing a supportive learning environment, rather than through traditional individual or group counseling. Pre–post, experimental–control group designs were employed for both studies. One experiment examined the effects of the treatment in a university setting, with the outcome measures being vocational decision-making attitudes, learning attitudes, attitudes toward women, and receptivity to new information. The 2nd study examined treatment effects in a community setting, with the measures being vocational decision-making, self-concept, and attitudes toward women. Results suggest that the 2 programs did affect certain vocational and psychological attitudes. Specifically, in Exp I Ss exhibited greater maturity in vocational decision making, while in Exp II self-concept was enhanced. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Accounting for self-selected drinking goals in the assessment of treatment outcome.

Many treatment outcome studies are abstinence-based and rely on achieved abstinence as an indicator of success, making the implicit assumption that participants have an abstinence goal. However, it is often the case that participants self-select controlled drinking goals, even in the context of an abstinence-based treatment. The current study explored the use of an outcome variable, percent weeks meeting goal (PWMG), which takes into account individual goal choice at baseline. The sample consisted of 57 women who participated in a cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment for alcohol dependence and were followed for 18 months after baseline. Twenty-two (39%) women self-selected controlled drinking goals, and 35 (61%) self-selected an abstinence goal at baseline. A repeated measures analysis of variance with PWMG as the dependent variable revealed that both goal groups were equally successful in meeting their goals during the 6-month treatment period. After treatment, participants with a goal of abstinence had more PWMG than did participants with a self-selected controlled drinking goal, but the difference was significant at a trend level. The two goal groups did not differ in outcome when the authors compared them using more traditional measures of outcome, percent days abstinent and percent heavy drinking days. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of the Computerized Assessment System for Psychotherapy Evaluation and Research (CASPER) as a measure of treatment effectiveness in an outpatient training clinic.

This study evaluated the validity of the Computerized Assessment System for Psychotherapy Evaluation and Research (CASPER), a system that identifies target problems and monitors treatment outcomes. Pre- and posttreatment data were obtained from 78 clients and their therapists in an outpatient training clinic. CASPER scales were significantly correlated with the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and with therapist ratings on the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) at both intake and posttreatment. These measures also showed significant pre- to posttreatment changes. The largest effect sizes were found on CASPER individualized outcome measures. Residual change scores and posttreatment improvement ratings derived from CASPER were significantly correlated with BSI and GAS change scores. There was moderate agreement between clients' and therapists' ratings; clients tended to rate their functioning higher than did therapists on several CASPER scales. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of spatial organization in prose learning.

In Exp I, 40 undergraduates either did or did not create a map-like representation while learning a passage. Learners who generated a map exhibited significantly greater retention than did control Ss. In Exp II, 120 undergraduates were either forced to study the map, instructed to study, or given no map prior to reading. Learners who were forced to process performed significantly better than other groups on retention measures. Ss not forced to study performed no better than the control group who received no map. Free-recall data showed that forced map study benefited learners with low vocabulary scores more than Ss with higher vocabulary scores. This was not true for multiple-choice or constructed response measures. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distinction between places and paths in rats' spatial representations.

Rats were trained on a 3-dimensional, 4-arm radial maze. In Exp 1, Ss trained to climb to the single goal platform chose fewer novel routes to the goal than Ss trained to climb to the 4 spatially distinct platforms. In Exp 2, a reinforcement contingency was imposed, requiring a novel route choice on each trial to receive reinforcement. Learning to associate route choice with reinforcement outcome was much more difficult for Ss tested with the single goal than for Ss tested with the 4 distinct goals. In Exp 3, a partitioned central platform group learned the reinforcement contingency as quickly as the Ss given 4 spatially distinct platforms. In Exp 4, distinctive floor inserts did not affect performance relative to no inserts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sampling of similar and dissimilar comparison persons and objects as a function of the generality of attribution goal.

Conducted an information-search procedure in which Ss were asked to seek information regarding persons and objects in order to validate a given person or object cause. Four hypotheses were tested: When asked to validate a person cause, Ss are more likely to select distinctiveness information than target-object consensus information. When asked to validate an object cause, Ss are more likely to select target-object consensus information than distinctiveness information. As the generality of person inference increases, progressively dissimilar object comparisons are sought. As the generality of object inference increases, progressively dissimilar person comparisons are sought. In Exp I, 26 undergraduates read attitude statements and answered judgment goals or questions about the statement's generality or object inference. 52 undergraduates in Exp II completed a similar task. The first 3 hypotheses were supported in both Exp I and Exp II, whereas the 4th hypothesis received only mixed support in Exp I and was not supported in Exp II. Unlike Exp I, Exp II did not include cues suggesting the relevant type of information to be sought. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of triplet growth status at birth using individualized growth assessment: comparison with conventional methods and development of a new classification system

A new growth classification system for triplets based on individual growth curve standards provides new information on the growth status of triplets at birth. OBJECTIVES. The objectives of this study were to characterize growth outcome at birth in triplet pregnancies using Individualized Growth Assessment methods, and to compare these results to conventional methods of growth outcome evaluation. STUDY DESIGN. Rossavik growth models derived from second-trimester ultrasound measurements were used to predict the birth characteristics of 21 triplet neonates. Actual measurements of weight, head, abdominal, and thigh circumferences at birth were compared to population standards and to predicted values, the latter by calculation of Growth Potential Realization Index (GPRI) values. GPRI values were calculated using singleton (measurement procedure correction) and triplet (measurement procedure correction+decreased soft tissue deposition) correction factors (SCF, TCF). Neonatal Growth Assessment Scores (NGAS) were calculated using both sets of GPRI values. RESULTS. Three types of triplet neonates were identified. Group I (33.3%) were normal with both types of NGAS values, had very few abnormal GPRI values or anatomic measurements, and were all appropriate for gestational age. Group III (14.3%) were abnormal with both types of NGAS values, most GPRI values were abnormal, and all were small for gestational age. Group II (52.4%) had abnormal NGAS values when calculated from GPRI values determined with SCF and normal NGAS values when calculated from GPRI values determined with TCF. All but one was AGA. Almost all GPRIWT and GPRIThC values were abnormal using SCF and normal using TCF. CONCLUSION. Although growth outcome in triplet neonates can be normal (Group I) or intrauterine growth retarded (Group III), the majority are in an intermediate group (Group II) characterized by a decrease in soft tissue mass, which may or may not be pathological.     

The attributional norm of internality and depressive sensitivity to social information.

Two experiments with 209 undergraduates examined the existence in an achievement-related context of a social norm favoring internal explanations for task performances. In Exp I, Ss' reactions to a male actor's high, moderate, or low self-attribution of causal responsibility for his negative performance outcome on an ostensibly standardized aptitude test were assessed. Results indicate that the actor was evaluated more positively to the degree that he accepted more personal responsibility for his performance. In Exp II, Ss were classified as depressed or nondepressed, based on their scores on the Beck Depression Inventory. Ss' reactions to an actor's high or low self-attributions of causal responsibility for his poor performance on a test of analytical ability were assessed. On the basis of the notion that the chronic lack of control and resultant uncertainty, presumably characteristic of depressed persons, motivates attributional information processing, it was expected that depressed Ss would be more sensitive to the actor's violation of the norm of internality and would respond with more social disapproval than nondepressed Ss. Results are generally consistent with this reasoning. Findings are discussed in terms of the interpersonal implications of expressed attributions. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impulsivity and perception: Individual differences in the processing of the local and global dimensions of stimuli.

In Exp I, 48 undergraduates differing in impulsivity (as measured by a self-report inventory) performed 2 versions of filtering, interference, and invariant control tasks. In one version, Ss sorted according to the value of the local dimension; in the other, the global dimension was the relevant one. In addition, Ss performed a task in which the 2 dimensions were perfectly correlated. Results show that Ss sorted more quickly when the global dimension was relevant than when the local dimension was relevant. In Exp II, 43 of the Ss from Exp I were used to determine whether failure to find a relationship between impulsivity and filtering performance was due to correlations of local and global dimensions; results were negative. In Exp III, the same 43 Ss used in Exp II were used to test the information-integration hypothesis. Results support the hypothesis—high impulsives were more impaired than other Ss when the task required that they integrate information from the global dimension with information from the local dimension. Findings can be explained in terms of individual differences in the value placed on speed, relative to accuracy, in information processing. (41 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Persistent high self-focus after failure and low self-focus after success: The depressive self-focusing style.

Assessed the spontaneous self-focusing tendencies of depressed and non-depressed individuals after success and failure. Based on a self-regulatory perseveration theory of depression, it was expected that depressed individuals would be especially high in self-focus after failure and low in self-focus after success. Ss (41 and 42 undergraduates in Exps I and II, respectively) were administered the Beck Depression Inventory and a measure of spontaneous self-focusing tendencies. Results of Exp I suggest that immediately after an outcome, both depressed and nondepressed Ss were more self-focused after failure than after success. This finding led the authors to hypothesize that differences between depressed and nondepressed individuals in self-focus following success and failure emerge over time. Specifically, immediately following an outcome, both types of individuals self-focus more after failure because of self-regulatory concerns. However, over time, depressed individuals persist in higher levels of self-focus after failure than after success, whereas nondepressed individuals shift to the opposite, more hedonically beneficial pattern. Results of Exp II provide clear support for these hypotheses. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of purpose in the organization of information about behavior: Trait-based versus goal-based categories in person cognition.

Three experiments with 120 college students investigated (a) the role of observational purpose in the tendency to employ trait or goal categories in the organization of behavioral information and (b) the effects of goal-based vs trait-based organization of the information on Ss' ability to recall it. Exp I showed that Ss reading and categorizing a series of episodes for the purpose of recalling either the material or empathizing with the main character organized the episodes primarily in terms of the character's goals. In contrast, Ss whose purpose was either to form a personality impression of the character or to predict her future behavior organized the episodes primarily in terms of her traits. Exp II demonstrated that the categorizations produced by recall-oriented Ss in Exp I facilitated the ability of a new sample of Ss to remember the episodes, relative to the categorizations produced by impression-oriented or control Ss. Exp II provided evidence that the relatively goal-based structure of the recall-oriented categories probably mediated the effects observed in Exp II. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Physical attractiveness: Interactive effects of counselor and client on counseling processes.

192 college students, selected on the basis of their scores on an attractiveness battery, assumed the role of a client having social skill problems during 3 counseling sessions. Exp I was a factorial design in which the major variables were counselor's physical attractiveness, client's physical attractiveness, and sex of client. Exp II studied the interaction between physical attractiveness of the counselor and client's susceptibility to attractiveness as determinants of outcome. In both experiments, Ss roleplayed a client who interacted with a female counselor. The counselor's physical attractiveness had a major impact on her perceived therapeutic effectiveness and the client's expectancies about future success, irrespective of the client's physical attractiveness or sex. Male clients generally attributed a higher level of skill to the female counselor than did female clients. When the counselor was unattractive, clients who were more susceptible to attractiveness perceived her as less skillful than clients who were less susceptible to attractiveness. Physical attractiveness of the counselor accounted for over 50% of the variance in perceived effectiveness and future expectancy measures in both experiments. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attributions of responsibility for group tasks: The egocentric bias and the actor–observer difference.

In each of 3 experiments it was demonstrated that under certain conditions individuals who work on a task in a dyad will tend to attribute greater responsibility for a positive outcome to their partners than to themselves. In Exp I 56 college students, who had qualifying scores on the Beck Depression Inventory, working in dyads on a crossword puzzle attributed more responsibility to their partners than to themselves for an outcome they were led to believe was quite good, thus contradicting the expected "egocentric bias" effect. This was true across depression categories. In Exp II, 100 college students working in dyads on the puzzle attributed more responsibility to their partners than to themselves for a positive outcome when asked immediately after the task to make the attribution. However, Ss attributed greater responsibility to themselves than to their partners when asked to make the attribution 3 days later, thus replicating the egocentric bias effect. Half of the 30 dyads in Exp III believed they were being videotaped while working on the puzzle, whereas the other half did not. "Videotaped" Ss attributed more responsibility for the positive outcome to themselves than to their partners, whereas the nonvideotaped Ss attributed more responsibility to their partners than to themselves when both groups were asked to give their attributions immediately after the task. The relationship between the egocentric bias effect and the actor–observer difference phenomenon is discussed. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social phobia: Axis I and II correlates.

The presence of Axis I and Axis II disorders in 71 social phobic patients was examined. Generalized anxiety disorder was the common secondary Axis I disorder, followed by simple phobia. Avoidant personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder were the most common Axis II diagnoses, and 88% of the sample exhibited features of these 2 personality styles. Ss with additional Axis I diagnoses were more anxious and depressed than those with no additional Axis I disorder. Social phobics with additional Axis II disorders were more depressed but not more anxious than those with no Axis II diagnosis. Furthermore, those with an additional Axis I disorder had higher scores on measures of neuroticism, interpersonal sensitivity, and agoraphobia. The prevalence and impact of additional Axis I and II disorders on the etiology, maintenance, and treatment outcome for persons with social phobia are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Paired-associate and serial learning in retarded readers.

Exp I examined 68 9-13 yr old retarded readers on a paired associate task using the anticipation method and a serial-learning task using the study-test method. Intratask correlations were highly significant for each task, but intertask correlations were negligible. However, the 2 tasks also differed in difficulty. Exp II, with 27 additional like Ss, tested whether serial learning was easier with the anticipation method and whether paired associate and serial learning performance remained unrelated when difficulty was comparable. Serial learning was significantly easier, scores were comparable to paired associate scores, and most paired associate and serial learning measures were highly correlated. It is concluded that the performance of retarded readers may be determined more by difficulty than by type of task. Anticipation methods may be preferable to study-test methods for such children. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pilot study of a treatment for psychological depression.

Assessed and treated depression (defined as a dysphoric subjective condition reaction to a loss of reinforcement) using a functional problem-solving approach. 22 undergraduates seeking counseling completed the MMPI D scale and the Self-Rating Depression Scale in Exp I, and 28 in Exp II. Exp II replicated Exp I except that an expectancy manipulation about the effectiveness of treatment was added. Treatment was the only variable associated with significant improvement. Suggestions for further research using different population and treatment components are presented. (23 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)