Psychologists' attitudes toward gay and lesbian parenting.

How does the average practicing psychologist view a gay or lesbian couple wishing to adopt a child? Psychologists (N?=?388) from across the United States read and rated 1 of 6 vignettes describing a couple interested in adopting a 5-year-old child. The vignettes were identical except that the couples' sexual orientation was depicted as gay male, lesbian, or heterosexual and the child was either a girl or boy. Results indicated that participants who rated the gay male and lesbian couples with a female child were less likely to recommend custody for these couples than participants who rated the heterosexual couples. Before psychologists provide mental health services to gay and lesbian people and their children, they should complete formal, systematic training on sexual diversity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologists' attitudes and activities regarding nuclear arms.

Investigated the attitudes and activities of 297 members of the American Psychological Association (APA) concerning a nuclear freeze/disarmament, using a 20-item questionnaire. Results show that the majority of Ss agreed with the stance posited by the APA's Council of Representatives and were not supportive of psychologist/private citizen role separation. The majority of Ss participated in reading relevant literature, signing petitions, and engaging in informal discussions. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologists' attitudes toward persons with AIDS: Stigmatization or just a less positive outlook?

Comments on G. M. Fliszar and J. R. Clopton's (see record 1995-34739-001) concerning attitudes of psychologists in training toward persons with AIDS. Crawford expresses concern with their findings, and suggests that the interpretation of their results does not take into account the possible effects of demand characteristics, social desirability, and instrumentation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A training model for psychologists with prescription privileges: Clinical pharmacopsychologists.

Presents a training model for prescribing psychologists. Training for independent psychology practitioners is modeled after a training program drafted by the International Neuropsychological Society-Division 40 Task Force for Neuropsychology. In the proposed model, the prescribing psychologist is trained as a specialist within clinical psychology. The term used to describe this specialist, clinical pharmacopsychologist, emphasizes psychology as the underlying field and is homologous with clinical neuropsychologist. Not all clinical psychologists will have this privilege because it is a specialty in its own right, which requires specific didactic and experiential training. During the transition period before the appearance of clinical pharmacopsychologists on clinical psychology faculties, prospective prescribing psychologists will obtain specialty training primarily in medical settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapists' attitudes toward suicide.

Assessed psychotherapists' attitudes toward a number of potential suicides and their attitudes toward the concept of rational suicide in general. 186 Ss received a case scenario in which a current client of a member or the general public was considering suicide because of a terminal illness, physical pain, psychological pain, or bankruptcy. Ss also completed the Suicide Semantic Differential Scale. Ss were differentially accepting of suicidal ideation, based on precipitating circumstances, and Ss would take different amounts of action to prevent a suicide depending on why the person had decided to commit suicide. Ss who had been in practice for 30+ yrs were more accepting of suicide and would take less action to prevent a suicide than less experienced Ss. 81% of the Ss believed in the idea of rational suicide. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologists' attitudes and practices regarding erotic and nonerotic physical contact with patients.

Conducted a nationwide survey to investigate psychotherapists' beliefs and practices regarding physical contact with their patients. 1,000 PhD licensed psychologists, selected from the respondents to the 1974 American Psychological Association Manpower Survey, were mailed questionnaires; the response rate was 70%, and data from 347 male and 310 female Ss was used in the analysis. Results show that 5.5% of the male and .6% of the female Ss reported having had sexual intercourse with patients; an additional 2.6% of the males and .3% of the females reported having had sexual intercourse with these patients within 3 mo after the termination of therapy. Of those Ss who had had intercourse with patients, 80% repeated it. More males than females reported erotic contact with patients (10.9% vs 1.9%), but there were almost no differences on this variable among therapists of 5 therapy orientations. On nonerotic contact there were no sex differences, but there were therapy-orientation differences. The results are compared with previously reported results for physicians, and implications regarding the exploitation of patients are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)