Parents' ethnic-racial socialization practices: A review of research and directions for future study.

Recently, there has been an emergence of literature on the mechanisms through which parents transmit information, values, and perspectives about ethnicity and race to their children, commonly referred to as racial or ethnic socialization. This literature has sought to document the nature of such socialization, its antecedents in parents' and children's characteristics and experiences, and its consequences for children's well-being and development. In this article, the authors integrate and synthesize what is known about racial and ethnic socialization on the basis of current empirical research, examining studies concerning its nature and frequency; its child, parent, and ecological predictors; and its consequences for children's development, including ethnic identity, self-esteem, coping with discrimination, academic achievement, and psychosocial well-being. The authors also discuss conceptual and methodological limitations of the literature and suggest directions for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role of subjective culture in organizations: A review and directions for future research.

Reviews cross-cultural research on micro-organizational behavior conducted during the past decade and introduces a conceptual framework for classifying the studies. It is argued that much of the current research fails to specify "culture" adequately, and because the cultures studied are often "targets of opportunity," pancultural theories of organizational behavior have not emerged. Methodologically, although an improvement over the literature reviewed in K. H. Roberts (1970) is evident, there remains an inadequate concern for the culture-specific nature of behavior, for alternative hypotheses that might also explain findings, and for achieving proper equivalence in translation. It is proposed that future researchers examine more carefully their rationale for doing cross-cultural research, commit themselves to theory, adopt a more rigorous concern for suitable methodologies, and form multicultural teams to achieve these ends. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender differences in psychiatric illness and treatments: a critical review

Controversy exists about the causation of gender differences long observed in the prevalence of mental disorders. Recent epidemiological, biochemical, and genetic research has shed further light upon both their etiologies and treatments. Both controversies and research are reviewed and critically examined.     

School consultation research: Past trends and future directions.

Reviews and evaluates school consultation research conducted during the past decade. Attention is given to the breadth and quality of the present consultation knowledge base, the appropriateness of data analysis procedures, and the impact of consultation research findings on consultation training. Recommendations for future directions in school consultation research are offered from both methodological and substantive perspectives. (41 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Work assessment of psychiatric patients: A critical review of published scales.

Critically examines 7 published scales designed for rating the work performance of psychiatric patients: (a) Minnesota Follow-up Study Rehabilitation Evaluation Scale; (b) M-R Fergus Falls Patient-Employee Rating Scale; (c) D. Ethridge scale (see record 1968-15840-001); (d) M. Distefano and M. Pryer scale (see record 1970-21324-001); (e) A. Cheadle, D. Cushing, C. Drew, and R. Morgan scale (see record 1968-00995-001); (f) A. Burger scale; and (g) J. Clark, B. Koch, and R. Nichols scale (see record 1965-10332-001). Special reference is made to concurrent and predictive validation. Suggestions for the design of such scales are presented. (33 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tobacco smoking and nicotine neuropsychopharmacology: some future research directions

Although nicotine is acknowledged as the major pharmacologically active chemical in tobacco that accounts for its continued use, there is a need for much further research. It is necessary to systematically compare the complex pharmacological actions of pure nicotine with those of tobacco, using different routes of administration and, therefore, rates of absorption. Tobacco smoking produces several important behavioral and central nervous system effects. More research is needed to determine the role of nicotine versus the many other substances present in tobacco smoke. Although nicotine is the primary pharmacological agent in tobacco that maintains its use, other chemicals and their biological mechanisms involved in tobacco smoking need to be studied further.     

On epidemiology and geographic information systems: a review and discussion of future directions

Leu-enkephalin radiolabelled at the N-terminal tyrosine by two different methods was presented to isolated perfused rat livers. Approximately 10% of a pulse of tritiated Leu-enkephalin was taken up first-pass; this was increased to 62% when the peptide was iodinated with Bolton and Hunter reagent. Uptake of both forms of radiolabelled Leu-enkephalin was inhibited by taurocholate in a concentration-dependent manner. The proportion of internalised radioactivity secreted into bile also differed but in both cases showed a very rapid time-course similar to that of [24-(14)C]taurocholate and suggestive of non-endocytic transfer via membrane transport proteins. Pre-perfusion with the aminopeptidase inhibitor bestatin increased uptake of 3H-labelled Leu-enkephalin from 10% to 23%; no further increase occurred when the endopeptidase 24.11 inhibitor thiorphan was also present. On infusion of the native peptide into rat livers, 80% of Leu-enkephalin immunoreactivity was lost between the pre- and post-hepatic perfusate; this was reduced to 65% in the presence of 10(-5) M bestatin. The almost total release of the N-terminal tyrosine from 3H-labelled Leu-enkephalin which escaped first-pass uptake confirmed that substantial sinusoidal metabolism had occurred. Low levels of aminopeptidase N were visualised in the sinusoidal membrane using a specific monoclonal antibody coupled to peroxidase staining. Thus, hepatic inactivation of Leu-enkephalin is primarily via hydrolysis mediated by cell surface peptidase (including aminopeptidases) whilst uptake of the intact peptide, probably by a bile salt transport protein, is quantitatively minor unless the N-terminus is blocked by Bolton and Hunter reagent or peptidase inhibitors are present.     

Families of adults with severe mental illness: new directions in research

Challenges to the next generation of family researchers are enormous as they move beyond the more global concept of family and begin to address the great diversity among families with mentally ill relatives. Since most mental illnesses are chronic conditions, families must also be understood from the long-term perspective of the family life cycle.     

Male violence against women: Current research and future directions.

This Psychology in the Public Forum section, authored by the American Psychological Association's Committee on Women in Psychology's Task Force on Male Violence Against Women and by Senator Joseph Biden, examines the prevalence, impact, and public policy dimensions of physical assault, sexual assault, and sexual harassment of women. This introduction reviews common themes that emerge from the articles that follow. It concludes by emphasizing that the problem of violence against women cannot be fully understood, let alone solved, by focusing exclusively on individual psychology. Only by changing the social and cultural institutions that have given rise to the problem can a lasting solution be achieved. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Preventing musculoskeletal injuries in nurses: directions for future research

Eight hemodialysis (HD) patients with convulsions of unknown cause were monitored for serum levels of uremic toxins such as methylguanidine(MG), and polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase (PMNE). Twenty HD patients without convulsions served as controls. In the convulsion group, MG and PMNE were high. In 2 patients, convulsions subsided after daily hemodiafiltration (HDF). Although PMNE was thought to be a mediator of injury in the present series, no significant correlation was found between PMNE and either neutrophil numbers or endotoxin levels. PMNE may indicate the over production of cytokines not associated with serious infection or septicemia. In patients with renal failure and complications of unknown cause, intensified dialysis therapy such as frequent HDF may be useful when combined with treatment of the underlying disease producing the toxins. PMNE measurement is useful in assessing the uremia caused by high cytokine levels and, together with methylguanidin (MG) serum levels, can indicate the severity of the convulsion.     

Buspirone: future directions

Glucagon-like peptide 1(7-36) amide (GLP-1) is postulated to be the major physiological incretin in humans, but evidence is indirect. We report the first studies examining the physiological role of GLP-1 in the postprandial state in humans using the GLP-1 antagonist exendin 9-39. Exendin 9-39 completely blocked GLP-1-induced glucose-stimulated insulin release from perifused human islets of Langerhans. In healthy fasted volunteers, intravenous infusion of exendin 9-39 at 500 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1) in the hyperglycemic state abolished the insulinotropic effect of a physiological dose of GLP-1 and fully reversed the glucose-lowering effect of GLP-1. Nine healthy subjects consumed a 150-g oral glucose tolerance test and were infused with 500 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1) exendin 9-39 or saline. Exendin 9-39 increased the peak postprandial glucose level (exendin 9-39, 8.67 +/- 0.35 vs. saline, 7.67 +/- 0.35 mmol/l, P < or = 0.005) and increased postprandial plasma glucose incremental area under the curve by 35% (exendin 9-39, 152 +/- 19 vs. saline, 113 +/- 16 mmol x min x l(-1), P < or = 0.05). This could be explained as partly secondary to the blockade of glucose-induced suppression of glucagon and maybe also to an increased rate of gastric emptying. Thus, in humans exendin 9-39 acts as an antagonist of GLP-1 both in vitro and in vivo. When infused alone, exendin 9-39 causes a deterioration in postprandial glycemic control, suggesting that GLP-1 may be important for maintenance of normal postprandial glucose homeostasis in humans.     

Psychotherapy process research: Progress, dilemmas, and future directions.

The first several decades of psychotherapy process research have produced advances in measure development and substantive findings of process–outcome relations. A recent paradigm shift toward sequentially patterned, significant change episodes is described, emphasizing segmentation of process by meaningful patterns wherever they occur. Theoretical, psychometric, and data analytic dilemmas are reviewed. Strategies are offered that may enhance future research efforts. These include greater attention to construct validity measures, the relation of process to phase-specific outcome criteria, and the continuing development of multivariate data analytic strategies that take into account Patient?×?Treatment interactions as well as the sequential dependency of process data. The development of a national archive of significant change events is recommended to advance modeling of the change process, segmentation, construct validation of measures, integration of qualitative and quantitive approaches, and development of a cross-theoretical language for therapy process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Acceptability research in school psychology: Current trends and future directions.

As school psychology researchers and practitioners respond to demands for empirically supported interventions, questions have been raised regarding the responsiveness of those individuals who are responsible for implementation, what we have come to refer to as treatment or intervention acceptability. The purpose of this special issue (see records 2000-00107-002, 2000-00107-003, 2000-00107-004, 2000-00107-005, and 2000-00107-006) is to examine current status and future directions for school psychology research on acceptability. This introductory article provides a framework for interpreting the research presented herein, and for thinking about the issues faced by school psychology researchers and practitioners as they attempt to provide interventions that consumers will find acceptable. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy for children and adolescents: Current progress and future research directions.

Psychotherapy research for children and adolescents has progressed considerably in the past decade. In this article, reviews of treatment outcome research, individual outcome studies, programmatic studies of specific interventions, and treatments for specific clinical dysfunctions are highlighted to convey progress. Current advances in treatment have been augmented greatly by psychological theory and research on the nature of child dysfunction as well as by improved methods for assessing children and specifying and evaluating treatments. In light of the current status of research, several priorities are identified that include expanding the range of research questions asked about treatment, evaluating a broader range of treatments, examining long-term treatment effects, bridging research and practice, extending treatment further to underserved and understudied populations, and integrating developmental theory and research into child treatment research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The transition to siblinghood: a developmental ecological systems perspective and directions for future research.

The birth of a baby sibling is a normative life event for many children. Few studies address this important transition period and changes in the older sibling's adjustment and family relationships following the sibling's birth. The present article presents a developmental ecological systems model for studying changes in family life and the older child's adjustment following the birth of a baby sibling. Simultaneous changes occurring in the family and how these changes are interrelated over time to predict patterns of adaptation after the transition to siblinghood are underscored. Recommendations for designing longitudinal studies that take advantage of recent developments in multilevel modeling are also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral approaches for reducing agitation in residents of long-term-care facilities: critical review and suggestions for future research

Many residents in long-term-care facilities demonstrate agitated behaviors. Research on behavioral approaches for reducing agitation in nursing home residents has been conducted during the past 25 years. This research is critically reviewed in this article and suggestions for future research are offered. Empirical evidence suggests that behavioral approaches are effective. Antecedent control strategies have been shown to reduce physically nonaggressive behaviors. Both aggressive and verbally agitated behaviors have been successfully treated by manipulating reinforcing consequences of these behaviors. Future research in this area needs to test behavioral treatments using randomized group designs, compare behavioral interventions to other treatments used alone or in combination, specify criteria for clinically significant improvement, diversify and ascertain the validity of assessment methods, and verify the maintenance of treatment effects over relatively long follow-up periods.     

Improving psychotherapy: Old beliefs, new research, and future directions.

Refutes common beliefs that deter efforts to measure and improve psychotherapy's effectiveness and to reduce its costs, asserting that (1) therapy outcomes and costs may in some cases be inversely related, (2) therapists should examine cost-effectiveness, (3) psychotherapeutic effectiveness can be quantified, and (4) laboratory research is not the only way to improve therapy. The authors propose a revitalized scientist–practitioner model, expanded research methodologies, and implementation of alternative incentive or service delivery mechanisms as steps toward obtaining better therapeutic outcomes from available dollars. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Philosophy of nursing: future directions

At a time when psychiatric nurses in Australia face the changes brought about by the transfer of nursing education to the universities, it is timely to reconsider the knowledge base of the profession, not from the perspective of any one theoretical position, but by reflecting on a fundamental division in the way nursing is thought about. Many nurse theorists argue for a shift away from conceptions of nursing based on medicine and science. The alternative, idealism, brings with it a new set of problems, particularly the tendency to react against the perceived dominance of the medical profession instead of positing a philosophy of nursing that reflects a more considered response. The argument developed here begins by aligning medicine and related conceptions of nursing with materialism. This leads to a consideration of the relevance of philosophical positions on the nature of body and mind, that is then linked to the assumptions of medicine and nurse theorists. Introduction of the concepts of holism and interactionist dualism follows. The implications of these concepts for psychiatric nursing are drawn out by using conceptions of the objective and rational. Finally, it is argued that interactionist dualism enables psychiatric nurses to be sensitive to the experiences of patients while still acknowledging the importance of objective knowledge.