Perceptions of client needs and counseling center staff roles and functions.

Used a national sample of 205 university and college counseling center staff members to obtain ratings of Ss' perceptions of changes in client presenting problems, changes in agency expectations with regard to 9 service-related tasks, and their comfort and skill in performing these tasks. Ratings were obtained from past and present time perspectives to aid in assessing perceived changes in these areas. Results indicate that Ss perceived client problems to be changing from more informational/educational to more serious emotional/behavioral problem areas. At the same time, staff members across all experience levels reported an increased pressure to perform in 7 of the 9 tasks listed. Staff members generally rated themselves as able to meet current service demands. Implications for counseling training programs indicate that an emphasis on acquiring traditional therapy and assessment skills may become increasingly important and that opportunities for specialty training should be expanded. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using research to determine the efficacy and modes of treatment in university counseling centers: Comment on Jobes, Jacoby, Cimbolic, and Hustead (1997) and Hayes (1997).

The articles by D. A. Jobes, A. M. Jacoby, P. Cimbolic, and L. A. T. Hustead (1997) and J. A. Hayes (1997) in the Special Section on Research in Counseling Centers are reviewed in the context of changes in college and university counseling centers. D. A. Jobes et al.'s study dealt with the development and application of the Suicide Status Form; J. A. Hayes's study reported the results of a factor analysis of the Brief Symptom Inventory that used data gathered specifically from college students. Suggestions are offered as to how the results of these studies might be applied to current counseling center work. A greater role for research in counseling centers is argued for, and examples of how research might abet counseling center personnel in their attempts to be both efficient and efficacious are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Putting the group in your pocket: Using collective identity to enhance personal and collective self-esteem.

Social identity theory argues that individuals rely on group memberships to form and protect their self-concepts. The authors tested this assumption in therapy groups by teaching members to rely on their group's membership during their day-to-day activities. Participants in the control condition received general information about therapy, whereas those in the experimental condition were guided through an examination of the value of their therapy group and carried a card with them that symbolized their group membership. After 1 week, group members who received the intervention had greater private collective self-esteem than those who did not receive the intervention. The authors' findings support both social identity theory and the utility of interventions designed to enhance the psychological impact of the therapeutic group. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cytotoxic,hematologic and histologic effects of niobium pentoxide in Swiss mice

The use of metal devices in medical application is increasing but it remains incompletely understood the physiological effects of component degradation. Niobium (Nb) alloys have already been investigated in the 1980’s and recent studies demonstrated the potential of Nb as an implant material. The purpose of this study was to determine cytotoxic, hematologic and histologic effects of niobium in Swiss mice. Animals were treated with a single dose of 3 % niobium oxide (Nb₂O₅) diluted in PBS, i.p. Cytotoxic assay, hematologic and histologic evaluation were done 3, 7 and 12 days after niobium treatment. Data have shown increased number of cells after niobium treatment, but there was no difference in cell viability. Furthermore, it was not observed hematological modification 3, 7 or 12 days after niobium treatment. Despite the fact that animals treated with niobium for 3 and 7 days showed mild degeneration in hepatocytes, mice kept alive for 12 days showed liver cells regeneration. Our results suggested that niobium cytotoxicity was not progressive because 12 days after treatment there was an evident liver regeneration. Data obtained indicated that niobium may be promising alternatives to biomedical applications.     

Spatial navigation in large-scale virtual environments: Gender differences in survey tasks

Most of the studies on gender differences in spatial abilities have focused on traditional paper and pencil cognitive tests, while these differences have been less investigated in navigational tasks carried out in complex virtual environments (VEs). The aim of the present study has been to evaluate gender differences in route and survey knowledge by means of specific tasks (route-learning, pointing, landmark-placing) carried out in two separate VEs. In addition the male and female participants were subjected to a battery of spatial abilities tests and specific self-report questionnaires. The results showed a significant difference favouring males in the survey tasks, as well as in the spatial abilities tests; on the contrary, no gender differences were found in the route task. Moreover, a different pattern of correlations among the measures were found in the male and female sub-groups.     

Group therapy and the visually handicapped: A case study.

Describes how the issues of deviance and competence were addressed when a visually handicapped 25-yr-old male joined an ongoing, process-oriented therapy group. The process of treatment is described through 3 stages: entrance, conflict/resolution, and outcome. Recommendations for group therapists and the results of a 4-mo follow-up visit are presented. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Client factors influencing group therapy dropout.

Investigated client factors influencing group therapy dropout and continuation in 155 group clients (aged 17–48 yrs) assigned to open-ended interpersonal therapy groups and classified as either dropouts or continuers as defined by the therapist, pattern of attendance, and method of leaving the group. Predictor and criterion variables were coded, and interpersonal variables were condensed using principal component analysis. A discriminant analysis found 6 significant variables predicting dropout: alcohol/drug problem, somatic complaints, roommate difficulties, general fighting, fighting with partner, and introversion. The strongest variable in the discriminant function was alcohol/drug problem. Previous individual counseling was found to predict continuation in group. The discriminant analysis correctly classified over 76% of cases as dropouts or continuers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Counseling center hiring preferences.

In Study 1, 130 counseling center directors rated a counseling vita significantly higher in terms of agency fit and a clinical vita significantly higher in terms of the likelihood of being licensed. In Study 2, the American Psychological Association Monitor position advertisements for the years 1978 to 1984 were classified as clinical, counseling, or either. A high percentage of advertisements sought either a clinical or counseling psychologist, with counseling psychologists being more frequently sought than clinical psychologists when the advertisement was directed at a single discipline category. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Current practice of group therapy at university counseling centers: A national survey.

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the current practice of group psychotherapy at university counseling centers. A group usage survey was developed and used to assess the current practice of group psychotherapy. Surveys were distributed to 232 counseling center directors, with 148 responding, yielding a return rate of 64%. The results of the study indicate that the typical group consists of 5–8 members, is co-led for 1.5 hrs, and meets weekly in the late afternoon. Results include information about group screening, preparation, and other group factors. Although group therapy is a widely practiced therapeutic modality, it appears that it is not carrying enough of the burden of treatment delivery despite the widespread administrative constraints on treatment length and the concurrent high level of demand for services in university counseling centers. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A study of counseling center hiring practices: What does it take for a woman to be hired?

Examined the effect of raters' level of self-acceptance on the ratings of 3 types of candidates for counselor jobs: a "traditional," woman, a "feminist," and a candidate with sex unspecified. Ss were 81 male counseling center directors, associate directors, and assistant directors. Self-acceptance was measured by the Phillips Self-Acceptance Scale. Ss rated candidates on 6 variables on 5-point Likert-type scales. Results of 2 * 3 analyses of variance reveal that Ss with higher self-acceptance were more likely to evaluate all candidates as more competent to help clients. The feminist candidate was rated significantly higher than the other 2 candidates on potential to deal with a wide range of emotional problems and on preparation to develop outreach programs. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)