Examining the alliance using the Psychotherapy Process Q-Set.

The alliance between therapist and patient was investigated using the Psychotherapy Process Q-Set (PQS), an instrument that quantitatively describes therapy sessions in a manner that captures the complexity of the therapy process. More specifically, the PQS was used to examine the treatment processes being assessed by observer ratings on the California Psychotherapy Alliance Scales (CALPAS). Using data from 30 brief psychodynamic psychotherapy treatments (patients aged 20–81 yrs), three PQS factors were found to be associated with alliance: Patient–Therapist Interaction, Patient Capacity/Commitment, and Therapist Countertransference. In multiple regression analyses with scales constructed from these three factors, Patient–Therapist Interaction was found to predict alliance ratings, while the other two aspects of the treatment process did not account for any significant additional variance in the alliance ratings. Results suggest that Patient–Therapist Interaction plays a defining role in the alliance construct, as assessed by the observer version of the CALPAS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anxiolytic effects of mecamylamine in two animal models of anxiety.

Clinical and preclinical evidence suggests that mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist, may have anxiolytic properties. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the anxiolytic properties of mecamylamine in rats as measured by the Elevated Plus Maze and the Social Interaction models of anxiety and to determine if manipulation of the testing environment (either brightly lit or dimly lit conditions) influenced the results. Results indicate that mecamylamine had significant anxiolytic effects in both the Elevated Plus Maze and Social Interaction Tests and that these effects were dependent on dose administered and the level of anxiety produced under different testing conditions. If confirmed by further clinical research, nicotinic receptor antagonists like mecamylamine may represent a novel class of anxiolytics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Metaphor in psychodynamic psychotherapy with borderline and non-borderline clients: A qualitative analysis.

Conducted an intensive, qualitative analysis of borderline and non-borderline client's and therapist's experiences of metaphoric expression in a single psychotherapy session. Open-ended interviews were conducted with 2 therapists and 4 clients (aged 24–38 yrs; 2 borderline and 2 non-borderline) who were actively engaged in psychoanalytically-oriented, long-term psychotherapy. The intensive analyses of inquiry interview transcipts revealed 3 important categories of metaphor functions that were shared by all 4 psychotherapy dyads: (1) metaphors illuminate clinical issues, (2) metaphor functions to depict clients' self and object relationships, and (3) therapist metaphor stimulates an intensification of client experiential engagement in therapy. Patterns differentiating the borderline and non-borderline dyads in relation to metaphor use were discussed in the context of 2 core categories: the Representation Mode of Interaction and the Literal Mode of Interaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Discriminating between pre- versus post-theraplay treatment Marschak Interaction Methods using the Marschak Interaction Method Rating System.

The Marschak Interaction Method (MIM) is a play-based observation used to evaluate parent–child relationship quality. This study examined the ability of the Marschak Interaction Method Rating System (MIMRS) to effectively discriminate between MIMs completed pre- versus post-Theraplay treatment. Eleven parent–child dyads received at least 8 Theraplay sessions. Achenbach Child Behavior Checklists (CBCLs) completed by parents before and after treatment demonstrated significant improvement in child behaviors. Interrater reliability for MIMRS = .75. Results of dependent-samples t test revealed strong effect sizes (Cohen's d) on the total MIMRS score (?1.07) and the nurture and challenge dimensions (?1.50, ?0.76, respectively). Although these results are preliminary and modest in terms of sample size, the MIMRS was successful in capturing change in the parent–child relationship following Theraplay treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validating the Marschak Interaction Method Rating System with adolescent mother-child dyads.

The authors investigated the reliability and construct validity of the Marschak Interaction Method Rating System (MIMRS), a new observational scoring system for the play-based Marschak Interaction Method (MIM), particularly its ability to capture high-risk parenting in adolescent mother-child dyads. The MIMRS demonstrated high interrater reliability and high internal consistency. Convergent validity was supported by moderately negative correlations between the MIMRS and the Parenting Stress Index/Short Form. The MIMRS demonstrated good contrasted groups validity, differentiating between 15 adolescent-child dyads and 16 adult- child comparison dyads, even after adjustment for differences in children's age. These results suggest that the MIMRS has the potential be a valuable rating system for research and practice with the MIM, as well as understanding and assessing parent-child relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparative review of family rating scales: Guidelines for clinicians and researchers.

Evaluates 8 rating procedures used in the assessment of family functioning, using 7 criteria of properties of scales, 2 of rater competence and training, and 3 of psychometric validity and reliability. The following scales are included: Beavers-Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scale and Centripetal/Centrifugal Family Style Scale, McMaster Clinical Rating Scale, Family Assessment Measure Clinical Rating Scale, Global Family Interaction Scales, Clinical Rating Scale for the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems, Global Coding Scheme, and Family Interaction Q-Sort. Psychometric concerns and methodological dilemmas are addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interaction of person and situation effects for chronic mental patients: A two-year follow-up.

In a longitudinal 2-yr follow-up of the patients in the present author and G. L. Paul's (see record 1975-31978-001) analysis of the behavior of chronic mental patients, the present study examined the interactive contribution of person and situation dimensions to the ongoing behavior of 32 patients after prolonged exposure to 2 different ward environments (milieu and social learning). Behavior was rated with the Time Sample Behavioral Checklist and the Staff–Resident Interaction Chronograph. From the observations, a Cognitive Distortion Index and a Social Interaction Index were calculated. Results indicate that the patterning of person, situation, and behavior domain effects was quite stable over a 2-yr period, although the absolute strength of situation effects was greater than in the prior study. In addition, the results provide further evidence that ward environments differentially moderate the Person by Situation interactions. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social and emotional patterns in adulthood: Support for socioemotional selectivity theory.

Explored 2 hypotheses derived from socioemotional selectivity theory: (1) Selective reductions in social interaction begin in early adulthood, and (2) emotional closeness to significant others increases rather than decreases in adulthood even when rate reductions occur. Transcribed interviews with 28 women and 22 men from the Child Guidance Study, conducted over 34 yrs, were reviewed and rated for frequency of interaction, satisfaction with the relationship, and degree of emotional closeness in 6 types of relationships. Interaction frequency with acquaintances and close friends declined from early adulthood on. Interaction frequency with spouses and siblings increased across the same time period, and emotional closeness increased throughout adulthood in relationships with relatives and close friends. Findings suggest that individuals begin narrowing their range of social partners long before old age. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bacterial metabolism, cytokine mRNA transcription and viability of bovine alveolar macrophages infected with Mycobacterium bovis BCG or virulent M. bovis

The effect of amino acid peroxides, relatively stable products of irradiation of amino acid solutions, on erythrocyte components was studied. Interaction of proline, lysine, valine, and leucine peroxides (100-300 mu M) with erythrocyte membranes brought about a decrease of membrane protein -SH group content and of activities of (Na+, K+)-ATPase and Ca2+ -ATPase, and induced aggregation of membrane proteins, due mainly to the formation of interpeptide disulfides. Interaction of amino acid peroxides with hemoglobin brought about hemoglobin oxidation to methemoglobin. The effects of amino acid peroxides are similar to those of t-butyl hydroperoxide. These results indicate that peroxides of amino acid and proteins, which can also be formed under physiological conditions, may be mediators of the cellular action of reactive oxygen species.     

A significant interaction between metronidazole and warfarin

Interaction between metronidazole (Flagyl) and warfarin had been suggested based on the disulfiram-like effect of metronidazole and the known interaction of warfarin and disulfiram. This case report confirms that this interaction is clinically significant in man.     

Social Interaction Systems: Theory and Measurement: Book review.

Review of book: Robert Freed Bales (Au.) Social Interaction Systems: Theory and Measurement. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction, 1999, 396 pp. Reviewed by A. Paul Hare. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bibliotherapy in the treatment of female orgasmic dysfunction.

13 inorgasmic women were assigned to a minimal-contact condition or delayed-treatment information control to evaluate a self-help manual for orgasmic dysfunction (J. Heiman et al, 1976). Between- and within-group analyses on questionnaires, including the Sexual Arousal and Sexual Interaction Inventories, consistently revealed greater improvement of Ss in the manual condition, and these gains were maintained at a 6-wk follow-up. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dielectric study of the interaction between DNA and an oligopeptide (lysine-tyrosine-lysine)

Interaction between Na-DNA and the oligopeptide lysine-tyrosine-lysine (LTL) is studied by a dielectric method. The comparison between conductivities (at the frequence of 5MHz) of LTL alone and of the complex LTL-DNA allows us to show up an electrostatic interaction between LTL and phosphates sites of DNA. During the formation of the complex LTL-DNA, a certain fraction of Na+ counter-ions is ejected from the phosphates sites.     

Perceived child-rearing practices and self-disclosure patterns.

Investigated "the relationship between parental reinforcement and patterns of verbal expression," administering the Self-Disclosure Questionnaire, the Parent-Child Interaction Rating Scale, and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability scale to undergraduates. It was found that Ss turned to parents for personal disclosure, and that a relationship exists between stated self-expression to parents and perceived parental nurturance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Edward Maynard Glaser (1911–1993): Obituary.

Memorializes E. M. Glaser, management consultant and founder of the Human Interaction Research Institute. Glaser's dissertation led to the development of the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal. His concept of organizational effectiveness and leadership became known as participant management. He was a past president of the American Psychological Association's Division of Consulting Psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mammalian protein RAP46: an interaction partner and modulator of 70 kDa heat shock proteins

A ubiquitously expressed nuclear receptor-associating protein of approximately 46 kDa (RAP46) was identified recently. Interaction experiments with in vitro-translated proteins and proteins contained in cell extracts revealed that a great variety of cellular regulators associate with RAP46. However, in direct interaction tests by the far-Western technique, only 70 kDa proteins showed up and were identified as members of the 70 kDa heat shock protein (hsp70) family. Interaction is specific since not all members of the hsp70 family bind to RAP46; interaction occurs through their ATP-binding domain. RAP46 forms complexes with hsp70 in mammalian cells and interacts with hsp70 in the yeast two-hybrid system. Consistent with the fact that hsp70 can bind a multitude of proteins, we identified heteromeric complexes of RAP46-hsp70 with some selected proteins, most notably c-Jun. Complex formation is increased significantly by pre-treatment with alkaline phosphatase, thus suggesting modulation of interactions by protein phosphorylation. We observed that RAP46 interferes with efficient refolding of thermally denatured luciferase. Moreover, ATP-dependent binding of misfolded proteins to hsp70 was greatly inhibited by RAP46. These data suggest that RAP46 functions as a regulator of hsp70 in higher eukaryotes.     

Cyclosporine A inhibits tPA mRNA transcription in A431 cell line

Human blood plasma fibronectin immobilised on agarose in physiological interacts with soluble myeloperoxidase (Kd = 2.43 mM). Interaction of myeloperoxidase with fibronectin adsorbed on immobilised gelatin a, natural fibronectin ligand, resulted in formation more stable complex (Kd = 0.94 mM). The presence of thermoaggregated (but not native) IgG in the liquid phase increased a stability of the complex (0.06 mM). It is suggested that myeloperoxidase could represent a component of complex super molecular structure, real immune complex.     

Structure modification induced in the narG promoter by binding of integration host factor and NARL-P

Interaction of integration host factor (IHF) with linear DNA fragments containing the narG promoter region induced an apparent sharp bend in the DNA centered at the IHF-binding site. Binding of NARL-P to two sites adjacent to the IHF site did not induce bending or modify the apparent bending induced by IHF.     

Psychosocial issues of adolescents with cancer

Although researchers agree that cancer during adolescence does not lead to serious psychopathology, the adolescent patient is confronted with a number of biopsychosocial problems. This article reviews the literature on nine psychosocial issues: (1) Health concerns, (2) Family relationships, (3) Sexual and reproductive issues, (4) Peer relationships, (5) Body image, (6) School disruption, (7) Interaction with treatment team, (8) Future goals and career development, and (9) Positive life changes. Practice implications and support group interventions for this population are presented.