Gender and sexual identity-based predictors of lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative counseling self-efficacy.

This exploratory study applies the tenets of social cognitive theory to investigate the influence of gender self-confidence and of sexual identity exploration and commitment on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) affirmative counselor self-efficacy. Data were gathered from a convenience sample of 178 mental health clinicians. Controlling for participants' age, professional experience, level of income, race and ethnicity, and sexual orientation, findings revealed that higher levels of LGB-affirmative counseling self-efficacy were positively associated with gender self-definition and with sexual identity commitment. Post hoc analyses conducted with the 5 subscales of the LGB-affirmative counseling self-efficacy measure indicated that findings varied across specific self-efficacy domains. Implications of these results for continuing education, training, and research promoting LGB-affirmative psychotherapy are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stigma, social context, and mental health: Lesbian and gay couples across the transition to adoptive parenthood.

This is the first study to examine change in depression and anxiety across the first year of adoptive parenthood in same-sex couples (90 couples: 52 lesbian, 38 gay male). Given that sexual minorities uniquely contend with sexual orientation-related stigma, this study examined how both internalized and enacted forms of stigma affect the mental health of lesbians and gay men during the transition to parenthood. In addition, the role of contextual support was examined. Higher perceived workplace support, family support, and relationship quality were related to lower depressive and anxious symptoms at the time of the adoption, and higher perceived friend support was related to lower anxiety symptoms. Lower internalized homophobia and higher perceived neighborhood gay-friendliness were related to lower depressive symptoms. Finally, individuals with high internalized homophobia who lived in states with unfavorable legal climates regarding gay adoption experienced the steepest increases in depressive and anxious symptoms. Findings have important implications for counselors working with sexual minorities, especially those experiencing the transition to parenthood. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An examination of the efficacy of conjoint behavioral consultation with diverse clients.

This study explored the efficacy of conjoint behavioral consultation (CBC) by assessing objective outcomes and social validity with a sample of students with and without diversity. Diversity characteristics that were investigated included ethnicity, socioeconomic status, family composition, maternal education level, and language spoken in the home. Behavioral change, goal attainment, acceptability, satisfaction, and perceptions of efficacy of the CBC model were measured with 125 students representing varying levels of diversity, and 192 target behaviors. Data were collected across 8 years of a federally funded training program across two states. Findings indicated that CBC-mediated interventions yielded generally high effect sizes regardless of the presence of diversity or the number of diverse characteristics exhibited. Social validity measures also yielded very favorable results, suggesting that participants (teachers and family members, including those who experienced some form of diversity) found the procedures positive. Implications for research and practice are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

To accept or not to accept: Referrals and the maintenance of boundaries.

Psychotherapists of all disciplines are confronted with many dilemmas in accepting or declining referrals from colleagues and patients, as well as referrals that may entail contact outside the office. The authors explore countertransference, confidentiality, boundaries, and ethics related to referral sources. Case material illustrates clinical dilemmas. Some suggestions are offered to help therapists critically examine the conscious and unconscious influences affecting their decisions about whether to accept a referral. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence.

In this article the author reviews research evidence on the prevalence of mental disorders in lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) and shows, using meta-analyses, that LGBs have a higher prevalence of mental disorders than heterosexuals. The author offers a conceptual framework for understanding this excess in prevalence of disorder in terms of minority stress--explaining that stigma, prejudice, and discrimination create a hostile and stressful social environment that causes mental health problems. The model describes stress processes, including the experience of prejudice events, expectations of rejection, hiding and concealing, internalized homophobia, and ameliorative coping processes. This conceptual framework is the basis for the review of research evidence, suggestions for future research directions, and exploration of public policy implications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

综合业务接入区业务承载方案

随着中国移动在全国范围内开展的综合业务接入区建设的基本完成,如何充分利用综合业务接入区资源,降低投入成本,有效地支撑业务发展,提高各接入区业务接入能力,是未来综合业务接入区发展的基本要求。本文通过对已建成的综合业务接入区承载业务诸多问题进行分析,提出了综合业务接入区内基站、WLAN、集团客户专线、家庭宽带等各类业务承载方案。     

Psychologists' Attitudes and Therapeutic Approaches Toward Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues Continue To Improve: An Update.

Psychologists' attitudes and approaches toward the gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) lifestyle continue to change, on the basis of results from 437 responding members of the American Psychological Association. Psychologists are more likely to view an active GLB lifestyle-identity as acceptable and non-pathological, more likely to support and provide gay-affirmative therapy, and much less likely to support changing sexual orientation through psychotherapy. Female psychologists are significantly more likely to view a GLB lifestyle as accepting and to provide gay-affirmative therapy to GLB clients compared with their male counterparts. Finally, training opportunities for psychologists involving GLB issues appear to be increasing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Addressing Religion in Clinical Supervision: A Model.

Despite the increased interest in and acceptance of religion by many psychologists and the American Psychological Association, it still appears that very few supervisees receive the proper training and supervision necessary to competently address religion in therapy. The authors identify supervisor actions that promote supervisee competence in this area by using 8 domains from C. D. Stoltenberg and U. Delworth's (1987) integrative developmental model as a template. A set of conceptual guidelines for developing supervisee competence in regard to working with religious clients and issues is presented along with examples of supervisor or therapist actions for each domain (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Issues and Implications of Deaf Culture in Therapy.

In the United States, it is estimated that between 200,000 and 500,000 individuals are culturally Deaf. Deaf culture provides unique challenges that can impact standard therapeutic techniques. Issues regarding the ability of hearing therapists to effectively work with Deaf clients are addressed, and a number of guidelines are offered to assist hearing therapists in bridging language barriers and cultural gaps with Deaf clients. Additionally, concerns about the selection and inclusion of sign language interpreters are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Counselor deliberate postural lean and communication of facilitative conditions": Correction.

Reports an error in "Counselor deliberate postural lean and communication of facilitative conditions" by Gary L. Hermansson, Alan C. Webster and Ken McFarland (Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1988[Apr], Vol 35[2], 149-153). The date of receipt indicated for the revision of this article was incorrect. The correct date of receipt is provided in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1988-36435-001.) This experimental study examined the relation between counselor deliberate postural lean and the communication of intensity, empathic understanding, respect, and genuineness. Results, from 12 male counselors acting as their own controls under three postural lean conditions (forward, backward, and choice) in counseling interaction with female clients, suggested compensatory processes in operation. Making a required lean forward was associated with decreased facilitative levels and backward with increased levels. The latter effects were more marked, with significant differences in intensity and respect. The effects were also more marked with those counselors who, as revealed in their choice session, preferred to move forward rather than backward, with these counselors also being the most effective as assessed by communicated empathy levels. It was concluded that for effective counselors in particular, deliberate postural lean results in a subtle maintenance of an equilibrium of verbal–nonverbal communication behaviors judged as most appropriate to the moment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)