Examination of coping resources and family adaptation in mothers and daughters of incestuous versus nonclinical families.

Mother–daughter dyads from incestuous vs nonclinical families were compared in terms of (1) family life stress, (2) problem-solving appraisal, (3) direct coping behaviors, (4) mother–daughter communication, and (5) family adaptation and cohesion. 15 mother–daughter pairs from an incestuous family involving an adult male caretaker were matched on several variables to 16 mother–daughter pairs from a nonclinical family. The results revealed that mothers from the incest group (compared with the nonclinical group) reported greater amounts of family life stress, had more negative perceptions of their problem-solving appraisal, and reported more communication difficulties. The daughters from the incest group appeared to be quite similar to the nonclinical group daughters, although they did acknowledge more family stress. Implications of the results for therapeutic interventions as well as future research were discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development of a typology of dual-earner families: A window into differences between and within families in relationships, roles, and activities.

A typology of dual-earner families based on mothers' and fathers' reports of work hours, job prestige, role overload, and job involvement was developed with a sample of 85 dual-earner couples with school-aged children. Three groups emerged that were distinguished by both between-groups and within-couple differences in the clustering variables: (a) high-status dual-earner families, (b) low-stress dual-earner families and (c) main–secondary provider families. Group membership was related not only to demographic variables (e.g., parental education and income) but to marital quality, family roles, and parental monitoring of children's activities. Analyses conducted to replicate the typology revealed that similar groups emerged in data collected a year later. Group membership was stable over time for all groups except the main–secondary provider group; this category appears to represent a transitional status for employed mothers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The biological affects: A typology.

This typology of biological affects is based on developmental-interactionist theory of motivation, emotion, and cognition. Affects—subjectively experienced feelings and desires—involve interoceptive perceptual systems based on primordial molecules that characterize neurochemicals. Biological affects involve primary motivational–emotional systems (primes) associated with hierarchically organized neurochemical systems in the brain, including subcortical (reptilian) and paleocortical (limbic) brain structures. Affects fulfill individualistic (selfish) functions (arousal, approach–avoidance, agonistic) and prosocial (cooperative) functions. Selfish and cooperative functions are associated respectively with the right and left hemispheres. Biological affects constitute the physiological bases for higher level affects: social affects (e.g., pride, guilt, shame, pity, jealousy), cognitive affects (e.g., curiosity, surprise), and moral affects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Four types of premarital couples: An empirical typology based on PREPARE.

Identified 4 types of engaged couples from a sample of 5,030 couples, using the premarital inventory PREPARE. Profiles were derived using a 3-stage cluster-analytic procedure, including an exploratory cluster analysis, a replication of the exploratory results, and a cross-validation analysis, all of which indicated that the 4-cluster solution was robust. "Vitalized" couples (28%) reported high scores on all dimensions. "Present-oriented" couples (27%) had moderately positive relationship quality. "Future-oriented" couples (23%) had moderately low intrarelationship scores but scored higher on scales assessing planning for marriage. "Conflicted" couples (22%) were characterized by pervasively low scores. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A typology of university student living groups.

Subjected 100 university living groups measured on 10 dimensions of their social environments to cluster analysis to develop an empirically based taxonomy of university living groups. 5 distinctive clusters of living groups were identified: competition oriented, supportive achievement oriented, independence oriented, relationship oriented, and traditionally socially oriented. Clusters showed systematic differences in sex composition (i.e., male, female, and coed), size, and institutional affiliation. Some evidence that different clusters of living groups had different impacts on Ss was presented. It is concluded that an empirically derived taxonomy of the social environments of university living groups is a necessary step in understanding which types of living group programs produce optimal outcomes for various types of students. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A cluster analysis investigation of workaholism as a syndrome.

Workaholism has been conceptualized as a syndrome although there have been few tests that explicitly consider its syndrome status. The authors analyzed a three-dimensional scale of workaholism developed by Spence and Robbins (1992) using cluster analysis. The authors identified three clusters of individuals, one of which corresponded to Spence and Robbins's profile of the workaholic (high work involvement, high drive to work, low work enjoyment). Consistent with previously conjectured relations with workaholism, individuals in the workaholic cluster were more likely to label themselves as workaholics, more likely to have acquaintances label them as workaholics, and more likely to have lower life satisfaction and higher work-life imbalance. The importance of considering workaholism as a syndrome and the implications for effective interventions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Subtypes of HIV-related neuropsychological functioning: A cluster analysis approach.

Sought to examine whether empirically derived subtypes of neuropsychological performance could be identified in a broad sample of Ss infected with HIV-1. 298 Ss from 3 diverse sites were studied. Using total factor scores obtained from a factor analysis of a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, a K-means cluster analysis was performed. Three reproducible subtypes were identified: unimpaired, depressed with psychomotor slowing and lowered verbal memory performance, and normal mood with lowered overall neuropsychological performance. These clusters also corresponded to actual raw neuropsychological test scores for members of each cluster. Future research should focus on relating the performance of individuals in these clusters to clinical endpoints or diagnostic criteria to further validate these empirically derived subtypes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A typology of alcohol abusers: Correlates and implications.

Used data from 725 individuals (mean age 38.1 yrs) seeking help for alcohol-related problems who had been administered the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test; the Social Readjustment Rating Scale; the Personality Research Form; Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control Scale; the Standard Progressive Matrices; the Vocabulary and Digit Symbol subscales of the WAIS; and measures of alcohol use, lifetime drinking history, basic personality, SES variables, and response styles to cluster analyze for types of drinkers. Analysis yielded 3 types: Type 1 Ss (early-stage problem drinkers) represented a fairly heterogeneous group, Type 2 Ss (affiliative, moderately dependent drinkers) were more socially oriented and drank on a daily basis, and Type 3 Ss (schizoid, severely dependent drinkers) were socially isolative, tended to drink in binges, and reported the most severe symptoms of alcoholism. A speculative model is proposed that consists of the 3 types superimposed on an underlying continuum of alcohol dependence; it is suggested that the model has heuristic value for stimulating further research on the etiology and differential treatment of alcohol abuse. (44 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A typology of critical incidents in intergroup dialogue groups.

Latent semantic analysis (Landauer & Dumais, 1997) was used to derive pairwise similarity ratings based on the content of 102 critical incidents (CIs) identified by participants in four intergroup dialogues. The resulting similarity matrix was then analyzed with cluster analysis to identify the content themes of these CIs. The cluster analysis identified three superordinate clusters and nine content themes in the CIs. The three superordinate clusters were labeled: Cognitive, Affective, and Consciousness Raising change processes. The three Cognitive change processes were labeled: (1) Talking At, (2) Talking With, and (3) Facilitating the Conversation. The three Affective change processes were labeled: (1) Working Toward Acceptance, (2) Learning from Others’ Feelings and Experiences, and (3) Reflection on Felt Differences. The three Consciousness Raising change processes were labeled: (1) Having Eyes Opened, (2) Realizations about People, and (3) Personal Engagement. Similarities and differences between these change processes and change processes described in the group counseling literature are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A physiologically based typology of batterers—promising but preliminary: Comment on Gottman et al. (1995).

The typology of male battering based on accelerating versus decelerating heart rates presented by J. M. Gottman et al. (1995) is promising in its connections to both individual and interactional characteristics of batterers and its fit with other recently proposed typologies. This comment develops the theoretical context for the heart rate variable within the literature on arousal and attention. The meaning of directional heart rate changes is examined in view of anticipatory reactions, biphasic responses, and the complexities of studying heart rate during an interactional sample. It is argued that a physiologically based typology must be considered in the context of sociopolitical perspectives on men's battering and with attention to the role of cognitions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Toxoplasmosis in families. II. Clinical analysis

Asthma is characterized histologically by a bronchial subepithelial fibrosis. Cytokines and other mediators released in the asthmatic chronic inflammatory microenvironment can activate the repair process that leads to fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis. To our knowledge, there are no data regarding the effect of a chronic inflammatory microenvironment on the phenotype of human bronchial fibroblasts. In the present study, we address this issue by comparing bronchial fibroblasts isolated from normal and asthmatic subjects in terms of: (a) proliferation over cell passage; (b) in vitro lifespan; (c) proliferative response to transforming growth factor-beta 1, platelet-derived growth factor-BB, dexamethasone, and retinoic acid; and (d) base-line synthesis of procollagens I and III. Bronchial fibroblasts from asthmatic subjects demonstrated lower DNA synthesis with cell passage than bronchial fibroblasts from normals. The in vitro lifespan of asthmatic bronchial fibroblasts was lower than in those from normal subjects and was significantly correlated with airway responsiveness. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB and dexamethasone increased 3H-thymidine incorporation in asthmatic bronchial fibroblasts without having any significant effect on normal fibroblast proliferation. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 and retinoic acid had no significant effect on bronchial fibroblast proliferation. Base-line procollagens I and III synthesis measurements showed no differences between normal and asthmatic fibroblasts. Taken together, these results indicate that the chronic inflammatory microenvironment found in asthma can modulate some aspects of bronchial fibroblast phenotype.     

Differential patterns of wife abuse: A data-based typology.

Despite the growing awareness of wife abuse as a serious social problem of epidemic proportions, to date no systematic research has been conducted to delineate on an empirical basis distinct patterns of abuse within this heterogeneous population. The present study has as its goal the identification of differential patterns of wife abuse, each having a unique etiological profile with attendant implications for intervention. Toward this end a multivariate quantitative taxonomic procedure was employed to delineate 5 homogeneous subgroups of women (N?=?119; 17–58 yrs) abused by their partners. Subsequent analyses revealed these 5 subtypes to differ significantly in frequency and severity of abuse, usual precipitants, typical responses of the woman and her assailant, history of violence in the family of origin, and disposition following brief residence at a shelter for battered women. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A self-report typology of behavioral adjustment for young children.

A large, national U.S. sample of children rated their own behavior and emotions using the Self-Report of Personality--Child version (SRP-C) of the Behavior Assessment System for Children (C. R. Reynolds & R. W. Kamphaus, 1992). Cluster analysis was used to group 4,981 self-reports (SRP-C) of children between the ages of 8 and 11 years. Theoretical and empirical considerations were used to identify a 10-cluster solution. Internal validation procedures revealed that the 10-cluster solution was well replicated by independently classifying 2 large subsamples of participants. External validation evidence revealed that only 2 of the 10 clusters could be differentiated by parent and teacher ratings of behavior problems. Peer ratings of social status and behavior, however, proved far better than adult ratings at differentiating the clusters. These findings suggest that the realm of intraindividual adjustment is not well understood by parents and teachers of these same children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Testing a typology of batterers.

A. Holtzworth-Munroe and G. L. Stuart (1994) proposed a tripartite typology of men who batter their female partners based on the severity of violence, extent of violence, and personality disorder characteristics. The current study attempts to empirically validate this typology using data from 75 domestically violent (DV) men and their partners, and 32 maritally distressed, nonviolent (DNV) comparison couples. Mixture analysis results generally supported the model, although 2 types were not distinguishable on personality disorder characteristics as predicted. Generally violent batterers were significantly more violent within and outside the relationship. The pathological group was moderately violent within and outside the relationship and endorsed numerous psychological symptoms. Family-only batterers endorsed fewer symptoms and were less violent. Violence in the family of origin, attachment, and communication skills also differentiated the 3 types and DNV men. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A multimethod analysis of families with a polydrug-dependent or normal adolescent daughter.

Compared behavioral interactions and perceived relationships in families of drug-dependent and normal adolescent girls. A total of 29 family triads including father, mother, and teenage daughter participated. L. S. Benjamin's (see record 1975-02991-001) structural analysis of social behavior model and methodology were used to code videotaped interactions and to rate self and other in perceived relationships. Observations of parental behavior toward their daughters did differentiate families of drug abusers from control families, but daughters' behavior did not. Parents communicated a conflictual message of both greater affirmation and condemnation of their daughter's autonomy. Both parents and daughters in the drug-dependent group blamed the daughters, despite their actual behavior, for the family's problems. The findings are interpreted as consistent with social-developmental and psychoanalytic theories of adolescent substance abuse as derailed individuation from the family. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Broadening the typology of false confessions.

Comments that S. M. Kassin's (see record 1997-07781-003) attempt to provide a theoretical framework for conceptualizing the various types of false confessions is of value to the clinician who is called on in applied settings to evaluate issues pertaining to the voluntariness of confession or related issues. An attempt is made to broaden this conceptual framework to include other coercive factors that may impact on a particular case, in order that research might begin to focus on additional variables so that the framework will have even broader practical utility. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Applying cluster analysis in counseling psychology research.

As a research technique that has grown rapidly in applications in many scientific disciplines, cluster analysis has potential for wider use in counseling psychology research. We begin with a simple example illustrating the clustering approach. Topics covered include the variety of approaches in clustering, the times when cluster analysis may be a choice for analysis, the steps in cluster analysis, the data features, such as level, shape, and scatter, that affect cluster results, alternate clustering methods and evidence indicating which are most effective, and examples of clustering applications in counseling research. Although we make an attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of major issues, the reader is encouraged to consult several good recent publications on the topic that are especially relevant for psychologists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Toward a typology of personality styles.

Argues for the use of personality typologies by examining the current status of nomothetic traits and providing evidence for the practical usefulness of such traits. A typology is suggested for use in clinical, educational, and industrial/organizational areas. Issues discussed include the use of prototypes in personality theory, the search for basic genotypic traits, depicting cognition on a single dimension, the concept of emotion, the conative dimension (i.e., striving and volition), and the application of these areas to practical problems using a 3-dimensional typology of personality styles. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)