Diagnostic and treatment overshadowing of vocational problems by personal problems.

Investigated 165 counseling psychologists' vocational diagnostic and treatment decisions when vocational and personal problems are presented concurrently. Participants assessed the same vocational problem either alone or in conjunction with a personal problem of one-half, equal, or double the severity of the vocational problem. Without consideration for counselors' problem preference, ratings of the vocational problem were equivalent across the 3 personal problem severity levels. However, with preferences considered, counseling psychologists who reported greater preference for working with personal problems, in comparison to vocational problems, were less likely to assess, diagnose, and treat the vocational problem than were counseling psychologists who reported equivalent or reversed problem preferences. This biasing effect occurred when the personal problem was of equal or double the severity of the vocational problem. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Problems associated with three commonly used drugs: A survey of college students.

Surveyed 223 undergraduates and graduates regarding use of and problems with alcohol, aspirin, and marihuana. Alcohol and aspirin use during the previous year were both reported by 92.8% of the sample; marihuana use was reported by 65.5%. Nearly 75% of the alcohol users reported at least one problem behavior; 59.6% reporting drunk driving. Of the aspirin users, 5.8% reported daily use and 2.7% reported excessive dosages. A majority of the marihuana users reported problem behaviors, including 24.6% who reported use at least once a week, 11.2% who reported shortness of breath, and 2.2% who reported an auto accident or being stopped by the police while under the influence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The families of problem drug users: a study of 50 close relatives

The research described in this paper resulted from a collaborative multi-centre study of the relatives of problem drug users involving six practitioners and researchers, in four centres within the south-west of England. The objective of this research was simply to interview 50 close relatives of identified problem drug users, with the identification occurring through clinics and self-help groups. Quantitative and qualitative results show that large numbers of these relatives reported many negative experiences. The partners of illicit drug users reported both more and differently patterned problematic behaviours than those of prescribed tranquillizer users. The partners of illicit users also reported different problems to those of the parents. Relatives reported many negative effects in terms of how they viewed the drug user, and how the experiences had affected their health. They also described various coping mechanisms, and the extent of the support which they had received. The results are discussed in terms of coping, and similarity with research into the families of problem drinkers.     

Life stressors, social resources, and late-life problem drinking.

Life stressors and social resources among late-middle-aged problem and nonproblem drinkers were studied. Problem drinkers (n?=?501) reported more negative life events, chronic stressors, and social resource deficits than did nonproblem drinkers (n?=?609). In a comparison of problem drinkers, men reported more ongoing stressors involving finances and friends and reported fewer resources from children, extended-family members, and friends than did women. Women who are problem drinkers reported more negative life events, more ongoing difficulties with spouses and extended-family members, and fewer resources from spouses. Among both the problem and nonproblem drinkers, more stressors were associated with fewer social resources, but only within certain life domains. Late-middle-aged adults' chronic stressors and social resources helped explain their drinking behavior, depression, and self-confidence even after sex, marital status, and negative life events were considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impact of parent death and an intervention on the adjustment of adolescents whose parents have HIV/AIDS.

The impact of parental death and the efficacy of a coping-skills intervention were examined on the adjustment of 211 adolescent children of parents with HIV/AIDS (PWH) over a 2-year period. During the follow-up period, 35% of the PWH died. Using longitudinal structural equation model, controlling for prior measures of adjustment at baseline, the authors found that children of deceased PWH reported significantly more emotional distress and problem behaviors 2 years later. Youth randomized with their parent to a coping-skills intervention reported significantly fewer problem behaviors and sexual partners 2 years later. Also, adolescents were better-adjusted 2 years later when their parents had reported less emotional distress and less severe physical health symptoms at baseline. Female adolescents reported more emotional distress at baseline and at 2 years than males; male adolescents reported more problem behaviors at baseline than the females. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of paradoxical and self-control directives in counseling.

32 students who reported having a serious and recurring procrastination problem were randomly assigned to either of 2 directive interview conditions (paradoxical or self-control) or to a no-interview control condition. Dependent measures included weekly S ratings of problem frequency, perceptions of problem controllability, expectation to change, and satisfaction with behavior, as well as a measure of Ss' perceptions of the interviewer. Results after 4 wks indicate that both directive groups exhibited generally greater improvement over time than controls and that the opposing forms of direction promoted different change patterns on self-report measures of problem frequency and controllability. Specifically, Ss exposed to paradoxical directives reported a sharper rate of change in their procrastination without viewing their problem behavior as significantly more controllable. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Spouses of late-life problem drinkers: Functioning, coping responses, and family contexts.

This prospective study focused on spouses of late-life problem drinkers. At initial assessment, 87 spouses of late-life problem drinkers reported poorer health-related and social functioning, more reliance on cognitive coping strategies, and more shared, cognitive avoidance coping than did 87 spouses of nonproblem drinkers; they also reported more stressful, less supportive family contexts. 22 spouses of individuals who would remit over a 1-yr interval did not appear to provide their partners with an impetus for recovery. However, spouses of remitted problem drinkers improved in several areas over the 1-yr follow-up. By contrast, 65 spouses of nonremitted partners continued to function more poorly and reported less supportive relationships with partners and escalating conflicts with children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of a Genetic Algorithm for the Irrigation Scheduling Problem

A typical irrigation scheduling problem is one of preparing a schedule to service a group of outlets which may be serviced simultaneously. This problem has an analogy with the classical earliness/tardiness problem in operations research. In previously published work an integer program was used to solve this problem, however such scheduling problems belong to a class of combinatorial problems known to be computationally demanding (N-P hard). This is widely reported in operations research. Hence integer programs can only be used to solve relatively small problems usually in a research environment where considerable computational resources and time can be allocated to solve a single schedule. For practical applications metaheuristics such as genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, or tabu search methods need to be used. However as reported in the literature, these need to be formulated carefully and tested thoroughly. This paper demonstrates the importance of robust testing of one such genetic algorithm formulated to solve the irrigation scheduling problem with simultaneous outlets serviced against an integer program formulated to solve the same problem.     

"Life stressors, social resources, and late-life problem drinking": Clarification.

Reports a clarification in the article by P. L. Brennan and R. H. Moos (Psychology and Aging, 1990[Dec], Vol 5[4], 491–501). The authors wish to note that their study was based on the same sample that was used in the research reported in the article by R. H. Moos et al (see record 1990-14961-001) and that this information was inadvertently deleted in the Brennan and Moos article. (The following abstract of the article by Brennan and Moos originally appeared in PA, Vol 78:10154.) Life stressors and social resources among late-middle-aged problem and nonproblem drinkers were studied. Problem drinkers (n?=?501) reported more negative life events, chronic stressors, and social resource deficits than did nonproblem drinkers (n?=?609). In a comparison of problem drinkers, men reported more ongoing stressors involving finances and friends and reported fewer resources from children, extended-family members, and friends than did women. Women who are problem drinkers reported more negative life events, more ongoing difficulties with spouses and extended-family members, and fewer resources from spouses. Among both the problem and nonproblem drinkers, more stressors were associated with fewer social resources, but only within certain life domains. Late-middle-aged adults' chronic stressors and social resources helped explain their drinking behavior, depression, and self-confidence even after sex, marital status, and negative life events were considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Critique of Cross, Sheehan, and Khan's "Alternative advice and counsel in psychotherapy."

In analyzing the methodology of D. Cross et al (see record 1980-32896-001) it was found that (1) the problem studied was not the problem proposed, (2) a seriously flawed methodology was used, (3) the analysis of the data was inconsistent with the problem and methods described, and (4) the findings reported were inconsistent with the reported results of the data analysis. Study of alternative sources of counsel and other mediators of the therapy outcome linkage is urged. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Single umbilical artery: correlation of the prognosis and side of the missing artery

Compartment syndrome in association with ankle fracture is extremely rare. The few reported cases involved the deep posterior compartment and were diagnosed late. We show that prompt recognition of this rare problem and early fasciotomy with fracture fixation prevents the long-term sequelae seen in all previously reported cases.     

An evaluation of the relative effectiveness of NCTM standards-based interventions for low-achieving urban elementary students.

The effects of 2 instructional methods, problem solving and peer collaboration, were evaluated for enhancing mathematics achievement, academic motivation, and self-concept of 104 low-achieving 3rd and 4th graders. Students were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 conditions: control, problem solving, peer collaboration, and problem solving?+?peer collaboration. Students in all conditions met twice weekly for 30-min mathematics sessions over a 7-week period. Results indicate that problem-solving students performed significantly higher than their counterparts who did not receive problem solving on measures of computation and word problems and reported higher levels of academic motivation, academic self-concept, and social competence. Students who participated in peer collaboration scored higher on measures of computation and word problems and reported higher levels of academic motivation and social competence than did students who did not participate in peer collaboration. No significant interaction effect was found. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Progression of consequences among heavy-drinking college students.

Among a sample of 180 male and 226 female undergraduates, 84.2% reported a heavy drinking episode (5+ drinks for men, 4+ for women) within the previous 90 days. Principal-components analysis revealed 3 alcohol-related problem factors among the heavy drinkers (Careless Behavior, Risky/Reckless Behavior, and Authority Problems). Nearly all heavy drinkers experienced a careless behavior that was due to drinking (92.7%), and many reported a risky/reckless behavior (60.2%), yet only one third (33.9%) experienced an authority problem. Guttman scaling procedures revealed a progression from Careless Behavior to Reckless/Risky Behavior to an Authority Problem. Heavy drinkers with an authority problem drank more frequently, consumed more when drinking, endorsed more alcohol expectancies, and reported earlier ages of initial and regular drinking than other groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Does incubation enhance problem solving? A meta-analytic review.

A meta-analytic review of empirical studies that have investigated incubation effects on problem solving is reported. Although some researchers have reported increased solution rates after an incubation period (i.e., a period of time in which a problem is set aside prior to further attempts to solve), others have failed to find effects. The analysis examined the contributions of moderators such as problem type, presence of solution-relevant or misleading cues, and lengths of preparation and incubation periods to incubation effect sizes. The authors identified a positive incubation effect, with divergent thinking tasks benefiting more than linguistic and visual insight tasks from incubation. Longer preparation periods gave a greater incubation effect, whereas filling an incubation period with high cognitive demand tasks gave a smaller incubation effect. Surprisingly, low cognitive demand tasks yielded a stronger incubation effect than did rest during an incubation period when solving linguistic insight problems. The existence of multiple types of incubation effect provides evidence for differential invocation of knowledge-based vs. strategic solution processes across different classes of problem, and it suggests that the conditions under which incubation can be used as a practical technique for enhancing problem solving must be designed with care. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Incidence of chronic pain following traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE: To index the frequency of reported chronic pain in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: A case series study was conducted on consecutive patients with TBI. SETTING: TBI patients were recruited from an adult tertiary care center brain injury clinic. PATIENTS: A consecutive sample of 132 patients who attended a brain injury rehabilitation center after TBI. The sample included 53 mild and 79 moderate/severe TBI patients. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were administered a protocol that indexed pain site, frequency, severity, and duration. RESULTS: Chronic pain was reported by 58% of mild TBI and 52% of moderate/severe TBI patients. Headaches were the most commonly reported pain problem. Chronic headaches were reported by 47% of mild TBI patients and 34% of moderate/ severe TBI patients. Neck/shoulder, back, upper limb, and lower limb pain were reported similarly by mild and moderate/severe TBI patients. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that chronic pain is a significant problem in mild and moderate/severe TBI patients. More effective diagnosis of TBI patients with chronic pain may facilitate rehabilitation of these patients.     

Social Problem-Solving Abilities and Psychological Adjustment of Persons in Low Vision Rehabilitation.

Objective: Tested the relations of social problem-solving abilities to distress, depression, and well-being and impairment reported by persons participating in a low vision rehabilitation program. Study Design: Correlational and multiple regression analyses. Setting: Outpatient low vision rehabilitation clinic. Participants: 25 men (M = 73.88 years old, SD = 11.94 years) and 29 women (M = 68.79 years old, SD = 17.25 years) participating in a comprehensive admitting examination. Main Outcome Measures: Emotional distress specific to the condition, depressive behavior, satisfaction with life, and functional ability. Results: A negative problem orientation significantly predicted depression and emotional distress; rational problem-solving skills predicted life satisfaction. Conclusions: A negative problem orientation toward problem solving predicts poor emotional adjustment reported by persons with low vision, and proactive problem-solving skills appear to promote optimal adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interpersonal problem solving and coping reactions of Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

In order to assess the relation between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and interpersonal problem solving and coping, 43 Vietnam veterans were assigned to the following four groups: (a) combat veterans with PTSD, (b) combat veterans with severe adjustment problems but not PTSD-diagnosable (AP), (c) combat veterans who were well adjusted (WA), and (d) veterans with little or no combat exposure who served during the Vietnam era (ERA). Multivariate analyses of variance indicated that both the PTSD and AP groups reported less effective coping reactions and poorer problem solving than both the WA and ERA groups. The PTSD subjects also reported less effective problem solving and less problem-focused coping reactions than the AP veterans. Implications of these results are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relations among mothers' expressivity, children's effortful control, and their problem behaviors: A four-year longitudinal study.

Longitudinal relations between mothers' expressivity, children's effortful control, and their problem behaviors were examined when children (N = 181) were 6.5-10 years old (T2) and again 2 (T3) and 4 (T4) years later. Mothers reported on their expression of positive and negative dominant emotion. Mothers and teachers reported on children's effortful control and externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors. In structural equation models, variables exhibited consistency over time. Further, the relation between mothers' expressivity (positive minus negative dominant emotion) at T2 and children's externalizing problems at T4 was mediated by T3 effortful control. The same process of mediation was significant for teacher- but not mother-reported internalizing problems. The results provide one explanation for how emotion-related socializing behaviors influence children's problem behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects on Decision Quality of Supporting Multi-attribute Evaluation in Groups

In this study the effectiveness of multi-attribute utility (MAU) decision support in groups is evaluated for personnel selection problems differing in complexity. Subjects were asked to make an initial individual decision with or without MAU decision support. Next individuals formed small groups and were asked to reach a decision about the same problem. Groups received either MAU support or no support. Results show that for relatively simple problems the most effective method is to provide subjects with both individual and group decision support. Here, decision support had a clear impact on subjects' preferences and the level of agreement between group members. In addition, satisfaction with the decision and the decision procedure was relatively high. Overall, decision support improved communication; subjects reported to find the problem easier, to have more influence on the group decision, and to find it easier to express their opinions. For more complex problems, however, decision making without group support (whether preceded by individual support or not) was evaluated most favorably. Individual decision support in this condition was sometimes better than no support; i.e., there was a lower reported problem difficulty, a higher satisfaction with the group decision, and a higher reported influence on the group decision. The effectiveness of group MAU decision support for complex problems was evaluated less favorably.