Predictors of intimacy in couples' discussions of relationship injuries: An observational study.

The interpersonal process model of intimacy (H. T. Reis & P. Shaver, 1988) proposes that self-disclosure and empathic responding form the basis of intimate interactions. This study examined this model in 102 community couples who completed intimacy measures following videotaped discussions about relationship injuries occurring both within and outside the relationship. Observational assessments of self-disclosure and empathic responding, as well as their respective components, were related to self-reported ratings of post-interaction intimacy. Men's own disclosure and empathic responding predicted their feelings of intimacy, whereas women's intimacy was predicted by their partner's disclosure and empathic responding. Self-disclosure and empathic responding appear to be important behavioral determinants of intimate feelings, but the manner in which they influence intimacy differs according to gender. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

High performance and meeting participation: An observational study in software design teams.

This study compared high and moderate performers' involvement in cooperation processes. The author used an observational method to examine meeting participation of 60 software professionals from 10 software projects. Analyses showed that high performers participated more in the overall meeting process. In poorly structured meetings, high performers contributed more to process regulation activities, such as meeting management, goal setting, problem comprehension, and feedback seeking. No differences in process regulation activities were found for highly structured meetings. Contributions to team processes as a whole differed largely across individual team members, with high performers playing an important role and showing a high adaptation to the specific situational requirements. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An observational study of peer interaction in racially mixed "accelerated" classrooms.

Observed the peer interactions of 69 White and 32 Black 8th graders each week of a semester. The race and sex of the person with whom S was interacting were coded, as were the behavior's mutuality (one-sided, mutual), affective tone (positive, neutral, negative), and orientation (task oriented, ambiguous, social). Considerably more cross-race interaction was noted than found in previous studies conducted in nonacademic settings in interracial schools. Ss interacted significantly more with peers of their own race than with peers of the other race. This was due to the females' strong own-race preference. Males interacted cross-racially at approximately the rate that would be expected if race were not a factor in interactant choice. Male interactions were predominantly mutual in nature, whereas those of females were predominantly one-sided. There were no major differences in the tone of the inter- or intraracial interactions of Ss in the 4 sex–race subgroups. Negative behaviors constituted less than 1% of all interactions. Cross-race interactions of all groups were more task related than within-race interactions, within-race interactions were more social than cross-race interactions. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Onychomycosis. Baseline results of an observational study

The investigators present an analysis of baseline quality-of-life and patient-management approaches from an observational study of 150 patients being treated by podiatric physicians and dermatologists for onychomycosis. The majority (73%) made the initial office visit specifically because of their onychomycosis. Both men and women indicated that they had substantial physical discomfort as well as concerns related to appearance. Women reported significantly more problems than did men as a result of their onychomycosis. Physicians reported that 54% of patients suffered from toenail discomfort, 36% had pain while walking, 40% reported that their condition limited wearing of shoes, and 67% were embarrassed by the condition. The results of this study suggest that the treatment approach of podiatric physicians is more likely to address the palliative concerns of patients with onychomycosis, while the approach of dermatologists is more likely to attempt a definitive cure.     

An economical observational measure of couples' communication skill.

Describes the Communication Skills Test (CST). Data are presented that demonstrate adequate interobserver agreement for the CST. Results of a study using the CST as a pre–post measure of treatment outcome for 28 16–33 yr old premarital couples (14 intervention and 14 control) demonstrate that CST was sensitive to therapeutic changes, identifying increases in communication proficiency for intervention, but not control, couples. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An observational study of hand washing and infection control practices by healthcare workers

During a 6-week period, a medical student conducted an observational study of hand washing and infection control practices in a community teaching hospital. There was no difference in the prevalence of handwashing practices among the three work shifts. The prevalence of hand washing was higher in surgical (56.4%) and medical intensive-care units (39.2%) than in intermediate (30.0%) or general units (22.8%).     

An observational study of Eimeria species in housed cattle on Dutch dairy farms

The prevalence of oocysts of Eimeria species in calves (n = 334), yearlings (n = 254) and cows (n = 1314) was determined on 38 Dutch dairy farms. Twelve species of Eimeria were identified in faecal specimens by sucrose-flotation. The prevalences of Eimeria spp. differed markedly in the different age classes on individual farms as well as between farms. The overall prevalence of Eimeria oocysts in faecal specimens was 46% for calves, 43% for yearlings and 16% for cows. The number of oocysts excreted was generally low in cows and yearlings, whereas high numbers of oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) were exclusively observed in calves. No cases of clinical coccidiosis were observed in this survey. Linear regression analysis showed that there is significant reduction in the OPG levels (P < 0.05) in calves infected with Eimeria, aged between 7 and 38 weeks. Finally, the data are discussed in relation to management practices and the acquisition of immunity.     

An observational investigation of sibling interactions in married and divorced families.

Examined differences in sibling relations in divorced and married families and the extent to which sibling relationship quality is associated with the quality of spousal/ex-spousal, mother–child, and father–child relations. Observed 96 sibling dyads, 48 from mother-custody divorced families and 48 from biological two-parent families while playing a popular board game. Mothers completed a battery of questionnaires assessing the quality of other dyadic relationships within the family and family functioning. Results revealed that dyads from divorced families containing an older male were more negative, more resistant, and less compliant than older female dyads from divorced families or older male dyads from married families, with the older children more negative than their younger siblings, especially when interacting with their younger sisters. Quality of sibling interactions was found to be related to the quality of other dyadic relations within the family and overall family functioning. Quality of spousal/ex-spousal relationships contributed more than marital status of the parents in predicting whether siblings were negative. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An observational approach to the assessment of anxiety in young children.

Clinical research on anxiety has often relied on assessment techniques that may be inappropriate with young children (e.g., self-report inventories). The present article describes a scale using observational methodology. To assess the reliability and validity of this instrument, the Preschool Observational Scale of Anxiety (POSA), 36 2.6–4.11 yr old preschoolers were observed and scored on the scale during 2 test sessions. Session 1, with mothers absent, was expected to provoke minimal anxiety. Total POSA scores assigned by 2 independent judges correlated .78, with highly significant interjudge correlations for most of the scale items. It was found that (a) POSA scores were significantly correlated with teachers' (Teachers' Separation Anxiety Scale) and parents' (Parent Anxiety Rating Scale) inventory ratings of children's anxiety, and (b) children's POSA scores were significantly higher in Session 1 than Session 2. The findings suggest that the POSA may provide a means of assessing situationally induced anxiety in children who are too young to accurately report their internal states. (38 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conflict, social support and relationship quality: An observational study of heterosexual, gay male and lesbian couples' communication.

Data from 42 heterosexual, 46 gay male, and 33 lesbian couples were used to assess the contribution of conflict and support discussions to relationship quality. Couples completed questionnaires, and videotaped discussions were coded for levels of negative and positive behaviors. Correlations showed that behaviors were associated with relationship quality in the expected directions. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses assessed the unique contributions of individual and dyadic behaviors to the variability of relationship quality. The findings indicated that, beyond the contribution of individual negative behaviors in the conflict task, the variables of dyadic positive behaviors in the conflict task, individual positive behaviors in the support task, and perceived help accounted for unexplained variance in relationship quality. There were no differences between types of couples on levels of behaviors or on their contributions to relationship quality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mother–father–infant interaction: A naturalistic observational study.

Investigated infant preferences for interaction with mother vs father, similarities and differences in maternal and paternal behavior, and the influence of a 2nd parent's presence on parent–infant interaction. 40 middle-class families with 15-mo-old infants were observed in their own homes on 2 separate weekdays, for 2 hrs/day. Analysis revealed more similarities than differences in maternal and paternal behavior, limited preferences for interaction with same-sex children, and more active parenting when alone with the child than when in the presence of the spouse. Infant behavior was similarly influenced by social situation, with more social behavior directed toward each parent when alone with them. Finally, covariance analysis revealed that displayed general preferences for interaction with father were primarily a function of parental behavior. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Learning power of single behavioral units in acquisition of a complex spatial behavior: An observational learning study in cerebellar-lesioned rats.

By combining an observational spatial learning paradigm with a cerebellar lesion that blocks the acquisition of new spatial strategies, it is possible to separate a complex spatial behavior into its fundamental units to study which relationships among units have to be maintained so that the entire behavior might be acquired. Normal rats were first allowed to observe demonstrator rats performing single explorative behaviors (circling, extended searching, direct finding), then were hemicerebellectomized and, finally, tested in the Morris water maze. In spite of the cerebellar lesion, the observer rats displayed exploration abilities that closely matched the previously observed behaviors. These results indicate that the single facets that form the strategy repertoire can be independently acquired. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Two maternal representations: A study of Israeli adopted children.

Using an object relations perspective, the representations of birth and adopted mothers in a sample of 52 nonreferred adoptees were studied. To better understand the specific effects of adoption or, the construction of 2 maternal representations, birth and adoptive maternal representation of adopted children was compared with that of nonadopted children. In addition, the effect of incongruous representations of birth and adoptive mothers on adoptees' exteralizing and internalizing behaviors was explored. Compared with nonadopted children, adoptees' representations of the mothers appear as more concrete and less benign. Among adopted children, representations of the birth mothers were found to contain split negative aspects of the adoptive mothers. Moreover, the differences between birth and adoptive mother representations were found to associate with adoptees'externalizing behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

One-locus two-allele models with maternal (parental) selection

I formulate and study a series of simple one-locus two-allele models for maternal (parental) selection. I show that maternal (parental) selection can result in simultaneous stability of equilibria of different types. Thus, in the presence of maternal (parental) selection the outcome of population evolution can significantly depend on initial conditions. With maternal selection, genetic variability can be maintained in the population even if none of the offspring of heterozygous mothers survive. I demonstrate that interactions of maternal and paternal selection can result in stable oscillations of genotype frequencies. A necessary condition for cycling is strong selection.     

The effects of maternal attributions on parenting: An experimental analysis.

To address the direction of causality underlying the robust association of mothers' attributions for child misbehavior and mothers' parenting, mothers' child-centered responsibility attributions for their hard-to-manage toddlers' misbehavior were experimentally manipulated. Mothers and children were then videotaped interacting in typical but challenging situations. Relative to mothers who were told that their children were not to blame for misbehaving, mothers who were told that their children would misbehave voluntarily and with negative intent were rated as significantly more overreactive in their discipline and felt angrier; their children exhibited higher rates of negative affect. Therefore, mothers' attributions for children's misbehavior can determine the harshness of their discipline. Further research on attribution-focused interventions and their role in facilitating treatment response and maintenance in parenting programs is warranted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An examination of predictors of maternal perceptions of maladjustment in clinic-referred children.

Investigated whether parental depression or child behavior was the best predictor of maternal perceptions of maladjustment in clinic-referred children. 22 mothers and their children served as Ss. The sample children (mean age 64 mo) were referred for treatment of noncompliant behavior problems; none of the Ss were severely retarded, brain-damaged, or autistic. Maternal perceptions of child maladjustment were measured by 3 scales of the Parent Attitude Test. Maternal depression was determined by the Beck Depression Inventory, while child compliance and child deviant behavior (other than noncompliance) were obtained in home observations collected by independent observers. Results indicate that maternal depression was the best predictor of maternal perception of children. Child behavior did not contribute significantly to the multiple regression analyses. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Combining propensity score matching and group-based trajectory analysis in an observational study.

In a nonrandomized or observational study, propensity scores may be used to balance observed covariates and trajectory groups may be used to control baseline or pretreatment measures of outcome. The trajectory groups also aid in characterizing classes of subjects for whom no good matches are available and to define substantively interesting groups between which treatment effects may vary. These and related methods are illustrated using data from a Montreal-based study. The effects on subsequent violence of gang joining at age 14 are studied while controlling for measured characteristics of boys prior to age 14. The boys are divided into trajectory groups based on violence from ages 11 to 13. Within trajectory group, joiners are optimally matched to a variable number of controls using propensity scores, Mahalanobis distances, and a combinatorial optimization algorithm. Use of variable ratio matching results in greater efficiency than pair matching and also greater bias reduction than matching at a fixed ratio. The possible impact of failing to adjust for an important but unmeasured covariate is examined using sensitivity analysis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Complications of laparoscopy: a prospective multicentre observational study

Extrahepatic obstruction of the portal vein is a well known cause of portal hypertension in childhood, that causes severe morbidity. We evaluated 34 children (24 boys, 10 girls, age 4.5 months to 12 years, mean 5.5 +/- 3.8 years) with this diagnosis, to define the clinical picture, laboratory changes, diagnostic tools and therapeutic modalities. Gastrointestinal bleeding was the commonest mode of presentation (64.7%), with the second being splenomegaly. The cause of the obstruction could be determined in 38.2% (13/34) of the subjects. At the beginning of the study the main diagnostic procedure was splenoportography although in more recent years pulsed duplex Doppler ultrasonography has been used. The follow up period was median of 5 years (range 1-11 years). The mean number of bleeding episodes was 4.7 +/- 5.9 (range 1-26), while nine patients never bled. There was no mortality. Ten patients underwent surgery, while sclerotherapy was performed on 10. Twenty-one patients received beta-blocker drugs. No difference was found among these therapeutic modalities. It is well established that the major risk for children with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction is gastrointestinal bleeding which is tolerated quite well. Surgery should be indicated only in children where bleeding cannot be controlled by medical means including sclerotherapy.