Test of the phase model of psychotherapy in a training clinic.

Recent publications suggest that psychotherapy models generated in outpatient settings do not fully generalize to the training clinic. A possible explanation for these findings is that the nature in which change occurs during psychotherapy may actually differ according to setting. To examine this possibility, the phase model of psychotherapy was tested in an outpatient training clinic. Results partially support the phase model, suggesting that the nature of change during effective psychotherapy within the training clinic setting does not differ from that in other outpatient settings. That is, clients who completed effective courses of treatment in the training clinic environment generally experience an improvement in subjective well-being before evidencing a reduction in symptom distress. Obtaining success in role performances (i.e., work or school) appears to emerge last. Practitioners may enhance treatment outcomes by targeting interventions that are congruent with the phase of the individual client presenting for treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Longitudinal prediction of child outcomes from differing measures of parenting in a low-income sample.

This study examined predictions from preschool parenting measures to middle childhood cognitive and socioemotional child outcomes to explore whether parenting assessment methodologies that require more time, training, and expense yield better predictions of child outcomes than less intensive methodologies. Mother-child dyads (N=278) in low-income African American families were assessed when the child was in preschool, using maternal report, the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment-Short Form (P. Baker & F. Mott, 1989; R. Bradley & B. Caldwell, 1984), and structured observational measures of parenting. Child outcomes reported by children, mothers, teachers, and direct assessment were collected 4 years later. All parenting methodologies showed some predictive value; however, observational parenting measures showed the strongest and most consistent predictions of child outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The use of background and ability profiles to predict college student outcomes.

To determine whether profiles of predictor variables provide incremental prediction of college student outcomes, the authors 1st applied an empirical clustering method to profiles based on the scores of 2,771 entering college students on a battery of biographical data and situational judgment measures, along with SAT and American College Test scores and high school grade point average, which resulted in 5 student groups. Performance of the students in these clusters was meaningfully different on a set of external variables, including college grade point average, self-rated performance, class absenteeism, organizational citizenship behavior, intent to quit their university, and satisfaction with college. The 14 variables in the profile were all significantly correlated with 1 or more of the outcome measures; however, nonlinear prediction of these outcomes on the basis of cluster membership did not add incrementally to a linear-regression-based combination of these 14 variables as predictors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of preoperative preparation on postoperative outcomes: The moderating role of control appraisals.

Objective: To test the proposal that external health locus of control and self-efficacy would moderate the effects of a psychological preparation for surgery on outcomes for surgical heart patients. Main Outcome Measures: Psychological distress, pain, serum cortisol, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Design: A total of 80 coronary artery bypass graft patients were given standard care plus a psychological preparation or standard care alone using a single-blind methodology with random assignment. Data on psychological and biological functioning were collected at admission (baseline) and discharge. Results: As predicted, external health locus of control and self-efficacy moderated the effect of the preparation on all outcomes. Results indicated that for high external health locus of control, the preparation was related to lower distress for people with high self-efficacy compared with those with low self-efficacy. When external health locus of control was low, the preparation was related to lower distress for those with lower self-efficacy. Conclusion: These findings caution against the use of preparations and education for surgical patients without accounting for control appraisals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Binge drinking among underage college students: A test of a restraint-based conceptualization of risk for alcohol abuse.

The authors tested a restraint-based model that binge drinking is a function of being tempted to drink alcohol while also being concerned about avoiding excessive alcohol intake. Underage (18-to 20-year-olds, 204 men and 225 women) college student drinkers completed measures that assessed the attraction to alcohol (e.g., temptation to drink, alcohol expectancies), concern about regulating alcohol intake (e.g., restriction of alcohol intake, reasons for limiting drinking), and alcohol-related outcomes (binge drinking, alcohol problems). In separate hierarchical multiple regressions, the attraction to alcohol accounted for significant amounts of additional variance in each of the alcohol outcomes. Concern about regulating alcohol intake accounted for additional variance, above that explained by attraction to alcohol. The results suggest that interventions for underage binge drinking should include training in the skills for regulating alcohol intake. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship of caregiver coping to family outcomes during the initial year following pediatric traumatic injury.

This study identified coping strategies associated with caregiver outcomes following pediatric injury and examined injury type as a moderator of coping efficacy. Families of 103 children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 71 children with orthopedic injuries were followed prospectively during the initial year postinjury. The groups had comparable preinjury characteristics and hospitalization experiences but differed on neurological insult. In hierarchical regression analyses, acceptance was associated with lower burden and denial was associated with greater distress in both groups. Active coping resulted in higher distress following TBI but not orthopedic injuries. Conversely, the use of humor was related to diminishing distress following TBI but unrelated to distress following orthopedic injuries. Results are discussed in terms of the implications for intervention following TBI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Aggression and Violence Against Home Care Workers.

This article describes the development of the Violence and Aggression in Health Care Questionnaire (VAQ) and the application of the measure in the field of home care. In a 1st sample of 361 German home care workers, the scales of the VAQ reached internal consistencies from .72 to .93. A confirmatory factor analysis gave evidence to the hypothesized factor structure. Significant correlation with indicators of psychophysical strain and health resulted in a 2nd sample of 180 home care workers. In multiple regression analysis based on a 3rd sample of 180 home care workers, verbal aggression by patients was a significant predictor of negative psychological outcomes. The relationship is completely mediated by negative emotional reactions after aggressive incidents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effectiveness of and Consumer Satisfaction With an Assertive Community Treatment Program for the Severely Mentally Ill: A 3-Year Follow-Up.

Assertive community treatment (ACT) programs have made substantial strides in reducing inpatient hospitalizations and in improving the lives of individuals with a severe mental illness. However, few studies have investigated their effectiveness outside of a 24-month treatment period. The present study investigated treatment outcomes in an ACT program over a 36-month period. Results indicate that participants experienced a statistically significant reduction in hospital bed days during the first 2 years of treatment. Positive outcomes were demonstrated on other variables, including an increase in compliance with outpatient psychiatric appointments and a reduction in emergency outpatient contacts. Results indicate that clients and family members were satisfied overall with ACT services, but family members reported greater satisfaction than clients in all areas assessed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Competency-Based Behavior Consultation Training: An Evaluation of Consultant Outcomes, Treatment Effects, and Consumer Satisfaction.

Assessments of consultants, clients, and consumer satisfaction were used to examine the effects of a competency-based consultation training program conducted over 4 years. Using a multiple-baseline framework to assess training effects on consultants and single-case study designs to evaluate changes in client behavior, a number of significant results were found. As predicted, consultants (N=24) significantly increased their consultation skills and knowledge, but with no change in attitudes toward behavioral intervention techniques. Supervised consultation with preschool teachers and parents resulted in a range of behavior change in clients (N=39), with an overall effect size of 0.51. Consumers reported a high level of satisfaction with training and consultation services. Results of a long-term follow-up with consultants indicated positive views and use of consultation. The discussion focuses on these results, and implications for consultation training and future research directions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recension des écrits sur l'impact des contacts sexuels précoces sur les hommes.

A review of the literature on the impact of sexual contacts between adults and boys reveals the existence of two principal outcomes: 1) some participants develop various disorders once in adulthood, such as behavioural problems, sexual disorders, or personality problems; 2) some participants do not present with any major disorders in the long run. These different outcomes may be associated with several moderating variables related to the sexual contacts, such as the level of coercion at the time of these contacts, the bond between the child and the adult, or the context of the sexual relation. However, the conclusions relating to the relations between early sexual contacts with adults and subsequent problems of adaptation in adulthood are difficult to determine. This is because of various methodological problems associated with relevant studies (i.e., definition of these contacts, nature of the sample, method evaluation, statistical analyses). In this article, we propose certain avenues of research that may help clarify this problem. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)