Gastric cancer and Helicobacter pylori: biologic and epidemiologic inconsistencies

This article introduces the special section of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology on empirically supported psychological therapies. After a discussion of the rationale for the selection of the specific terms in the label, several justifications are considered for conducting and learning from empirical evaluations of psychological therapies. Finally, the process that guided the special section is described.     

Psychotherapy outcome and quality improvement: Introduction to the special section on patient-focused research.

This article introduces the special section of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology on patient-focused research for improving the outcome of psychological therapies. After a discussion of the context, promise, and problems associated with this research domain, an overview of the contributions is offered. (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)     

Introduction to the special section: The neglected psychological–physical interface.

Provides an introduction to the special section on neglected psychological-physical interface. This special section was undertaken to stimulate research on the interface between physical disorders and psychological problems and to aid in the development of new conceptual models in this area. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethnic conflict: Global challenges and psychological perspectives.

Introduces a special section on ethnic conflict in 5 different parts of the world. This section analyzes psychological dimensions of particular conflicts and promotes thinking about the possible contributions psychology can make in the research, practice, and policy domains. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the special section on measuring cognitive products in research and practice.

This article introduces a special section of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology titled "Measuring Cognitive Products in Research and Practice." The practice of cognitive behavior therapies—and research on their effectiveness and the validity of the models of psychopathology and therapy associated with these treatments—requires valid assessment of cognition. Cognitive variables can be considered at several levels; the main focus of the articles in this special section is on techniques suited to measurement of cognitive products, thoughts, and images of which people are conscious. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Expanding the aperture of psychological assessment: Introduction to the special section on innovative clinical assessment technologies and methods.

Contemporary psychological assessment is dominated by tried-and-true methods like clinical interviewing, self-report questionnaires, intellectual assessment, and behavioral observation. These approaches have served as the mainstays of psychological assessment for decades. To be sure, these methods have survived over the years because clinicians have found the information gleaned from these improves our understanding of the client, helps formulate a treatment plan, or aids in assessing outcome. However, are there any recent technological or methodological developments that might improve the clinical assessment enterprise? Some believe so. The purpose of this special section is to provide a snapshot of relatively newer clinical assessment technologies and methods that have been underutilized. Each article in this special section presents one or more assessment methods or techniques that are currently available and are showing some promise in clinical assessment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using experience sampling methods/ecological momentary assessment (ESM/EMA) in clinical assessment and clinical research: Introduction to the special section.

This article introduces the special section on experience sampling methods and ecological momentary assessment in clinical assessment. We review the conceptual basis for experience sampling methods (ESM; Csikszentmihalyi & Larson, 1987) and ecological momentary assessment (EMA; Stone & Shiffman, 1994). Next, we highlight several advantageous features of ESM/EMA as applied to psychological assessment and clinical research. We provide a brief overview of the articles in this special section, each of which focuses on 1 of the following major classes of psychological disorders: mood disorders and mood dysregulation (Ebner-Priemer & Trull, 2009), anxiety disorders (Alpers, 2009), substance use disorders (Shiffman, 2009), and psychosis (Oorschot, Kwapil, Delespaul, & Myin-Germeys, 2009). Finally, we discuss prospects, future challenges, and limitations of ESM/EMA. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Commentary on evidence-based psychological treatments for older adults.

This article comments on the articles in the Special Section on Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for Older Adults (see records 2007-03358-002, 2007-03358-003, 2007-03358-004, 2007-03358-005, and 2007-03358-006). The articles apply criteria developed by the Society of Clinical Psychology to evaluate treatments for late-life anxiety, insomnia, behavior disturbances in dementia, and caregiver distress. The articles document that there are evidence-based psychological treatments that can help older adults. However, there are 2 substantial hurdles: evidence and access. Gaps in the evidence, as mentioned by the authors of the articles in the special section, result from disproportionate research attention to some psychotherapies and some mental disorders, with corresponding lack of research about other treatments and disorders. The challenge for access is to ensure that older adults with treatable mental disorders will get connected to psychologists trained in these evidence-based therapies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Expert psychological testimony: Assisting or misleading the trier of fact?

The consequences of psychologists' opinions are perhaps most strongly felt when offered in the context of a legal case. Due to this reality, courts are justifiably cautious when deciding whether to admit psychological testimony into evidence at trial. This commentary to the special section of Canadian Psychology on expert psychological testimony considers the circumstances under which expert psychological evidence ought to be deemed admissible. Drawing on the model of social analytic jurisprudence, guidelines are offered to psychologists for determining the propriety of their proposed testimony. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of organizational behavior in occupational health psychology: A view as we approach the millennium.

This special section of the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology provides ample illustration of the increasingly important role of organizational behavior research on work-related issues of health and well-being. More specifically, the 9 articles contained in this special section highlight the varied application and potentially widespread benefit of considering the main effects of employee physical health and psychological well-being. The authors conclude with a discussion of how emerging research issues in occupational health psychology can be used to build a stronger science of organizational behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to special section: Biomedicine and developmental psychology: New areas of common ground.

New technologies, statistical approaches, and medical therapies have generated new collaborative research opportunities for developmental psychologists and other biomedical researchers. In this special section, 3 areas of biomedicine have been selected as examples. Research on the transition from fetus to newborn, evaluation of early toxin exposure, and the behavioral phenotype associated with genetic syndromes addresses questions central to child health as well as developmental psychology. This special section delineates some of the common ground between biomedicine and developmental psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the special section on what every psychologist should know about assessment.

The article notes discrepancies between typical practices in the development and utilization of psychological tests and current knowledge about assessment noted by the authors in this special section. Reasons for this failure of innovation diffusion are considered. The need to make routine use of the assessment knowledge presented in this series of articles is noted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the Special Section: The case for training in the provision of psychological therapy.

Recent trends, such as the national health care initiative, have brought into focus the importance of identifying the qualifications of those who provide mental health services. This special section explores the research evidence for the value of professional training among those who provide psychological therapy. The set of articles describes what is known about the relationship to therapeutic efficacy of professional training, training in ethnic diversity, and clinical supervision. These articles suggest that professional training enhances clinical efficacy, especially if type of training, setting of practice, and nature of patient problems are considered. They also suggest that supervision and specific training in ethnic diversity enhance knowledge and sensitivity among psychotherapists. It is anticipated that this special section will promote a dialogue about these conclusions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Alternative therapies in psychological treatment: When is a consultation with a physician warranted?

Alternative therapies are appearing to be a viable option for practitioners who provide treatment for psychological and related disorders. Psychologists who choose to use alternative therapies have a lack of professional guidance, and controversy exists over whether providing alternative treatment to clients is within the appropriate scope of practice. State psychological association presidents, state licensing board chairpersons, researchers who are knowledgeable about alternative therapies, and Ohio Psychological Association convention attendees were surveyed to determine professional opinions regarding when a consultation with a physician is necessary for using alternative therapies. The total number of respondents across the four groups was 138. Results of the study, along with the ethical and legal implications of psychologists' use of alternative therapies in psychological treatment are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

SPQ editorial June 2008.

This issue features the first research article (Bradshaw, Buckley & Ialongo, 2008) accepted by our new editorial team; a group of individuals with unusual methodological talent. Also in this issue you will find a special section on neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, the adaptation of children with such problems to schooling, and implications for the practice of psychology with these children in schools. Our fall issue will premier our first contribution to the Evidence for Practice section, which represents an attempt to directly link accumulated scientific knowledge to the everyday work of psychological practitioners. I am happy to receive any inquiries from prospective contributors to SPQ. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the Special Section on Applied Longitudinal Methods in Aging Research.

This article introduces articles that appear in the special section on applied longitudinal methods in aging research. These articles apply quantitative statistical techniques such as multilevel modeling and structural equation models to the analysis of longitudinal data. They exemplify how applications of these techniques can advance scientific research on the effects of aging on psychological constructs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Internet and video technology in psychotherapy supervision and training.

The seven articles in this special section on the use of Internet and video technology represent the latest growth on one branch of the increasingly prolific and differentiated work in the technology of psychotherapy. In addition to the work presented here on video and the Internet applications to supervision and training, information technology is changing the field of psychotherapy through computer assisted therapies and virtual reality interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parenting and other influences on the alcohol use and emotional adjustment of children, adolescents, and emerging adults.

Five articles in a special section of Psychology of Addictive Behaviors (see records 2006-07521-001, 2006-07521-002, 2006-07521-003, 2006-07521-004, and 2006-07521-005) are briefly reviewed. With samples spanning an age range of 6 years to college age, the 5 articles examine potential mediators and moderators of psychological adjustment and drinking behavior. These articles illustrate the potential contributions of gender, personality traits, motivational factors, environmental characteristics, and parenting styles on the alcohol use, consequences, and emotional adjustment of children, adolescents, and emerging adults. Strengths and limitations of the different designs and methods are discussed in relation to the specific findings and the potential insights the special section provides. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)