International Humanitarian Award.

The International Humanitarian Award recognizes extraordinary humanitarian services and activism by psychologists, including professional and volunteer work conducted primarily in the field with underserved populations. Award recipients are psychologists who, by their extraordinary service at a difficult time, improve the lives and contribute to the well-being of people in a large or small geographic area anywhere in the world. The 2009 recipient of this award is Michael G. Wessells. Along with a citation, biography, and selected bibliography, Wessells' paper, entitled "Do no harm: Toward contextually appropriate psychosocial support in international emergencies," is included, a version of which was presented at the American Psychological Association's annual convention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ralph K. White (1907–2007).

Presents an obituary for Ralph K. White who was considered to be the modern father of peace psychology. Ralph’s analyses of international and ethnic conflict have provided a model for work in peace psychology. A summary of his educational background and career accomplishments is given. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The development and maturation of humanitarian psychology.

Humanitarian psychological support as an organized field is relatively young. Pioneers in the field were involved primarily in providing psychological support to refugees and internally displaced persons in conflict and nonconflict situations. This article describes basic principles for the design of psychological support programs and interventions. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) began a psychological support program in 1991. The IFRC chose psychological first aid as its model for implementation in developing countries. Psychological first aid fits all the principles for psychological support program design and is adapted to individual communities. The first generation of psychological support programs differed dramatically depending on the countries in which they were developed. A second generation of psychological support programs evolved in response to the earthquake/tsunami of December 26, 2004. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee international guidelines consolidated the advances of second-generation programs and provided a clear indication of the wide acceptance of the importance of psychological support. A glimpse is provided of the third generation of psychological support programs, and an admonition is made for a more empirical evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intergenerational effects of high neuroticism in parents and their public health significance.

The article by Lahey (May–June 2009) provided a timely and important review of a growing body of evidence linking the personality trait of neuroticism to a host of health and psychosocial outcomes with public health significance. Lahey (2009) highlighted the links between high neuroticism and mental health, physical health, and quality of life and described the putative genetic and environmental causes of high neuroticism. He recommended screening for high neuroticism and interventions for those presenting this trait in order to reduce health care costs resulting from the associated conditions. We applaud his treatise but note that it failed to address the impact of high neuroticism among parents on their children’s long-term psychosocial functioning and mental health. In sum, Lahey (2009) provided a compelling argument for considering interventions for persons with high neuroticism as a public health initiative. We strongly support this call for action, as evidence does show that neuroticism adversely affects not only the individual and his or her social environment but the generations to follow. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Public Service: Allan G. Barclay.

Recognizes Allan G. Barclay with the 2000 Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Public Service. The award was given for his lifelong advocacy for the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled, his years of service as a child clinical psychologist, and his efforts on behalf of the profession of psychology at local, state, national, and international levels.He has worked to advance human welfare by establishing public policies and practices that promote humane and meaningful assessment and treatment for children with developmental disabilities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The teacher-student relationship as a developmental context for children with internalizing or externalizing behavior problems.

Children with significant behavior problems are at risk for poor school adaptation and a host of deleterious school outcomes. Given the time children spend in school, there is a need to better understand the normative contexts and processes within schools that may enhance the positive adaptation of children with significant behavior problems. This study evaluated one such context, the teacher-student relationship, specifically, the degree of closeness and conflict in the relationship, between urban, American elementary schoolchildren with significant externalizing or internalizing behavior problems and their teachers. The results suggest that the qualities of the teacher-student relationship predict children's successful school adjustment. Having a relationship with a teacher characterized by warmth, trust, and low degrees of conflict was associated with positive school outcomes. Some moderation effects were noted, including differential effects for warmth on the reading achievement of children with externalizing distress, and conflict on the school adaptation of children with internalizing problems. Results are discussed in light of theory and school-based intervention and prevention efforts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predictors of paternal involvement for resident and nonresident low-income fathers.

In a sample of low-income families (N = 239), structural equation models assessed predictors of fathers' involvement with preschool-aged children in instrumental, behavioral, and emotional realms. Results suggest that parental conflict has a strong negative relation with father involvement. Fathers' human capital characteristics, healthy psychosocial functioning, and past stability in family relationships all predicted greater father involvement directly and/or indirectly through parental conflict. Numerous differences emerged in the predictive models between resident and nonresident fathers, although few differences were statistically significant. Results suggest that policy efforts aimed at enhancing fathers' responsible parenting should focus both on increasing fathers' human and social capital and on supporting positive family processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Thomas D. Oakland: Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology.

Provide the biography of Thomas D. Oakland and announces that he has won the Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology for creating or assisting in the creation of most of the current literature on international school psychology, as well as that relating to test use with children and youth internationally. A selected bibliography is also provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conflicting preferences of parents and offspring over criteria for a mate: A study in Argentina.

Current evolutionary research on human mating has largely ignored the fact that mating decisions may be heavily influenced by parents. Recent research, however, shows that parents and children may have conflicting mate preferences. Specifically, parents tend to have a relatively stronger preference for children to pair with mates with characteristics signaling high parental investment and cooperation with the in-group, whereas children tend to have a relatively stronger preference to pair with mates with characteristics signaling genetic quality. The present research among 242 young adults from Argentina showed that in this country the same parent–offspring conflict was observed as had been found previously in North America, the Netherlands, Uruguay, and Kurdistan. This result provides additional support for the universal character of this type of conflict. In addition, the present research expanded previous work by showing that the two conflict dimensions were indeed psychometrically independent, and that more conflict was reported by older and married participants. In addition, more conflict was reported among women who were more in favor of parental control over mate choice and among men who were higher in social comparison orientation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

1998-1999 award winners: Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology.

The Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology is given to an individual who has made sustained and enduring contributions to international cooperation and the advancement of knowledge in psychology. The 1998/1999 winner is Edwin A. Fleishman. A citation is provided for Fleishman, along with a biography and selected bibliography of his works. Also provided is the award address that he delivered during APA's annual meeting in 1999, entitled "Applied Psychology: An International Journey." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Do no harm: Toward contextually appropriate psychosocial support in international emergencies.

In the aftermath of international emergencies caused by natural disasters or armed conflicts, strong needs exist for psychosocial support on a large scale. Psychologists have developed and applied frameworks and tools that have helped to alleviate suffering and promote well-being in emergency settings. Unfortunately, psychological tools and approaches are sometimes used in ways that cause unintended harm. In a spirit of prevention and wanting to support critical self-reflection, the author outlines key issues and widespread violations of the do no harm imperative in emergency contexts. Prominent issues include contextual insensitivity to issues such as security, humanitarian coordination, and the inappropriate use of various methods; the use of an individualistic orientation that does not fit the context and culture; an excessive focus on deficits and victimhood that can undermine empowerment and resilience; the use of unsustainable, short-term approaches that breed dependency, create poorly trained psychosocial workers, and lack appropriate emphasis on prevention; and the imposition of outsider approaches. These and related problems can be avoided by the use of critical self-reflection, greater specificity in ethical guidance, a stronger evidence base for intervention, and improved methods of preparing international humanitarian psychologists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Promoting family involvement in learning.

Contends that increased family involvement is critical to the success of efforts to improve education in the US. The US Department of Education has joined with more than 160 family, education, religious, business, and community groups in a new nationwide coalition: the Family Involvement Partnership for Learning. Together, the participants are working to support the critical role of caring adults in the success of children in learning. The author also discusses the promotion of parental involvement in education through the Improving America's Schools Act and the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrating psychosocial programs in multisector responses to international disasters.

This article describes the role of psychosocial support programs in American Red Cross-sponsored humanitarian assistance efforts in international disasters. The American Red Cross psychosocial support program consists of four specific components: participatory crisis assessment, dealing with survivors' root shock, community mobilization, and community development. The program is predicated on the assumption that after a disaster, survivors lose their sense of "place". Psychosocial community programs are based on outreach activities by local practitioners trained and supported by the American Red Cross. The approach sees psychological advantages to survivors of continuing to mobilize their own resources; familiarity, trust, and human capital build. The community members themselves decide the steps they are going to take to reestablish "place," thus becoming active participants in reducing the traumatic stress caused by the disaster. The article concludes with three actions that signal successful integration of psychosocial support programs into multisector responses to disasters: reestablishment of a sense of place, community mobilization, and taking actions that lead to a sense of physical and psychological well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Internationalism in psychology: We need it now more than ever.

A concern with international cooperation in psychology has been present since the beginnings of psychology as a science. In this article, the author traces the development of international cooperation from the late 19th century to the present day to document the interesting ways in which the forms of collaboration have always been related to the large social and political contexts of which they are a part. This historical material is followed by an autobiographical account of the author's own involvement in cooperative international research to illustrate how such activity can play out. A few selected collaborative enterprises are then described to emphasize the point that psychology stands to benefit enormously from continued international cooperation, especially in times of international conflict such as that being experienced at the present time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Teaching a course in the psychology of international relations.

There are several reasons for teaching psychology courses in international relations: (a) psychology has something new to add to the numerous courses in international relations now being taught. (b) There is now enough significant material to make a full semester course worthwhile. (c) Teaching about war and peace can lead to some interesting research. Major sections are: Psychological Approach to International Relations, Course Material, Research Potential, Organizing Course, and Student Research. The author reports his experiences in teaching this kind of course. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Development in work and organizational psychology: Implications for international business.

Reviews the book, Development in work and organizational psychology: Implications for international business edited by Paul Jackson and Manfusa Shams (2006). This book is part of the Elsevier International Business and Management Series. Jackson and Shams state that the objective of this book is to "give authoritative accounts" of developments within work and organisational psychology for students and practitioners of international business. The editors emphasise that this book or any edited book cannot be a comprehensive work on all of the areas in organisational psychology, so they selected leading scholars from the United Kingdom and North America and invited these researchers to select a topic in their area of expertise. From this "reflective practitioner's perspective," the volume becomes a miscellany of chapters, some of which international business scholars would not consider to be international business. The main topics in international business (IB) include such things as international trade, foreign direct investment, global monetary system, international strategy, importing and exporting, global manufacturing and operations management, international marketing, global or international human resources management, international accounting, international finance, the international environment, economic and socioeconomic and sociocultural forces, and political and legal environment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

2009 award winners: Distinguished International Contributions.

Announces the recipients of the 2009 Distinguished International Contributions awards. Included are the Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology (Judith V. Torney-Purta) and the International Humanitarian Award (Michael G. Wessells). For each recipient a citation, biography, and selected bibliography are provided, along with the awardee's paper, a version of which was presented at the American Psychological Association's annual convention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Children Living With Drug-Abusing Fathers: Comparisons With Children Living With Alcohol-Abusing and Non-Substance-Abusing Fathers.

Although the effects of paternal alcoholism on the psychosocial adjustment of children are well documented, the impact of fathers' illicit drug abuse on their children is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare the adjustment of children living in families with drug-abusing fathers (n = 40) with that of children with fathers who abused alcohol (n = 40) and children with non-substance-abusing fathers (n = 40). Children with drug-abusing fathers experienced more internalizing and externalizing symptoms than children with alcoholic or non-substance-abusing fathers. Interparental conflict and parenting behavior mediated the relationship between family type and children's adjustment. Interventions to improve fathers' parenting behavior and reduce partner conflict may lead to better adjustment among custodial children of drug-abusing fathers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role conflict and ambiguity of CEOs in international joint ventures: A transaction cost perspective.

Insights from transaction cost economics were used to study the boundary conditions underlying the role conflict and ambiguity of 265 CEOs in Chinese-based international joint ventures. Role conflict and ambiguity were lower when the contract between parents was more complete. Contract completeness fully mediated the effects of parent objective gap and parent formalization on role ambiguity but only partially so in the case of role conflict. Role conflict was lower when the foreign parent was dominant in the venture but higher when the local parent was dominant. Role conflict and ambiguity were inversely related to cultural distance. Neither construct had a detrimental effect on international joint venture performance. Implications for role theory are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the United States: A social science perspective.

Whether and how civil society should recognize committed relationships between same-sex partners has become a prominent, often divisive, policy issue. The present article reviews relevant behavioral and social science research to assess the validity of key factual claims in this debate. The data indicate that same-sex and heterosexual relationships do not differ in their essential psychosocial dimensions; that a parent's sexual orientation is unrelated to her or his ability to provide a healthy and nurturing family environment; and that marriage bestows substantial psychological, social, and health benefits. It is concluded that same-sex couples and their children are likely to benefit in numerous ways from legal recognition of their families, and providing such recognition through marriage will bestow greater benefit than civil unions or domestic partnerships. Trends in public opinion toward greater support for legal recognition of same-sex couples are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)