Pain assessment and management in older adults: Conceptual issues and clinical challenges.

This article reviews clinical pain assessment and psychological pain management in older persons through the lens of a Communications Model of Pain (Craig, in press; Hadjistavropoulos & Craig, 2002; Hadjistavropoulos, Craig, & Fuchs-Lacelle, 2004; Prkachin & Craig, 1995). The Communications Model of Pain has the advantage of drawing attention to a variety of important factors that come into play when selecting assessment instruments and when making decisions concerning intervention. The authors examine a variety of assessment methodologies (including both self-report and observational approaches) that are suitable for older persons with and without dementia. The authors also review psychosocial pain management methods (e.g., cognitive behavior therapy and applications of behavioral approaches within long-term care facilities) that have potential applications with older persons. The role of psychological service providers is emphasized. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empirical and theory-driven investigations of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists.

This article summarizes empirical and theoretical research focusing on the structure and content of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists (Canadian Psychological Association [CPA], 1986, 1991, 2000). Functional grammar and content analyses show that, compared to other codes, the CPA code is written in a way that is empowering for the decision-maker. Moreover, it is more likely than other codes of ethics to provide a rationale for ethical behaviour. Preliminary support for the hierarchical organisation of the ethical principles of the CPA code exists but more research is needed to determine if the hierarchy leads to more consistent decision-making in the resolution of ethical dilemmas. Recommendations for future research directions are outlined. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

When reviews attack: Ethics, free speech, and the peer review process.

The peer review process, whether formally applied in publication and grant review, or informally, such as exchange of ideas in scientific and professional newsgroups, has sparked controversy. Writers in this area agree that scholarly reviews that are inappropriate in tone are not uncommon. Indeed commentators have suggested rules and guidelines that can be used to improve the review process and to make reviewers more accountable. In this paper, the authors examine the relevance and impact of ethical codes on the conduct of peer review. They contend that the peer review process can be improved, not by a new set of rules, but through closer attention to the ethical principles to which psychologists already subscribe. The discussion considers the four principles of the Canadian Psychological Association in relation to peer review and to the six principles presented in the code of the American Psychological Association. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A philosophical value analysis of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists.

Explored, philosophically, the rationale for the ranking of the principles of the Canadian Psychologists' code of ethics. While this ranking has received some empirical support, it has yet to be grounded in theory. In order to overcome this conceptual deficiency, C. Hodgkinson's (1996) value paradigm was used as a critical framework for validating the hierarchical structure of the principles of the code. The analysis revealed general acceptance for the ranking. As a result, the code has gained not only the needed theoretical grounding for comprehensive support (i.e., theoretical and empirical) but also a more complete understanding of its content and axiological rationale. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A biopsychosocial formulation of pain communication.

We present a detailed framework for understanding the numerous and complicated interactions among psychological and social determinants of pain through examination of the process of pain communication. The focus is on an improved understanding of immediate dyadic transactions during painful events in the context of broader social phenomena. Fine-grain consideration of social transactions during pain leads to an appreciation of sociobehavioral events affecting both suffering persons as well as caregivers. Our examination considers knowledge from a variety of perspectives, including clinical health psychology, social and developmental processes, evolutionary psychology, communication studies, and behavioral neuroscience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relative importance of the ethical principles adopted by the American Psychological Association.

When two or more ethical principles are in conflict with one another, decision-makers are typically left to determine which of the two should be given most weight. Nonetheless, in the code of ethics adopted by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), principles are ranked in order of importance. This provides decision-makers with guidance in situations of conflict between ethical principles. In contrast to CPA's code of ethics, other professional codes do not provide such guidance. In a previous paper, we provided a philosophical rationale for a ranking of the ethical principles adopted by the American Psychological Association (APA) in order to help guide decision-making. In the present study, we investigated whether APA members collectively believe that some ethical principles are more important than others, and whether their views about the relative importance of ethical principles are consistent with the order (ranking) outlined in the CPA code. The results suggest that although APA members view all principles of their code as being important, they also view certain principles as carrying more weight. The implications of the findings for ethical decision-making are also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Acute and chronic low back pain: Cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions.

Despite strong suppositions concerning differences between patients suffering acute and chronic low back pain, relatively few data-based comparisons have been made. In this study, affective, cognitive, behavioral, and demographic contrasts were conducted. Chronic patients were divided into those who demonstrated signs and symptoms that were either congruent or incongruent with underlying anatomical and physiological principles. Low SES, compensation claims, use of opiate analgesics, greater disability, catastrophizing cognitions, stronger emotionality, and passive coping were more characteristic of both acute and chronic incongruent patients than chronic congruent patients. A relatively stereotyped, spontaneous facial expression of pain was observed in all groups when responding to painful movements during a physical examination. The similarities between acute and chronic incongruent patients have implications for the assessment and treatment of low back pain. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Age-Related Differences Among Adults Coping With Pain: Evaluation of a Developmental Life-Context Model.

The pain and coping literature is limited because of its almost exclusive focus on young adults. Our goal was to develop and evaluate a theoretically sound model of age-related differences in coping. Age-related increases in emotion-focused and avoidance-oriented coping and decreases in problem-focused coping were expected to arise from age-related differences in life-context (e.g., health status, stress levels) and in the pain experience. Questionnaire data were collected from 280 older and younger adults with pain. Increasing age was associated with lower pain severity/interference and greater perceived control over pain. Life-context partially mediated this relationship. As hypothesized, there were age-related declines in problem-focused coping. Contrary to expectations, however, older adults also used fewer emotion-focused coping strategies. The implications of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

L'équipe de rédaction de 2003-2006 tire sa révérence.

The editorial team of Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne thanks the many authors who entrusted them with the evaluation of their work, everyone on the editorial team from Canada and around the world, ad-hoc reviewers, the CPA staff, and the editorial assistant. The work of all of these individuals is evident in every issue of the journal. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Canadian psychology in a global context.

This article explores the impact that Canadian psychology has had around the world. Canadian discoveries and theories have led to paradigmatic shifts in several different areas of psychology; our ethics codes have influenced guideline and code development in other countries; articles written by Canadian psychologists have a very high impact relative to articles written by colleagues in other G8 countries; and our applied practitioners have contributed services to underprivileged parts of the world. Special emphasis is placed on how the unique character of Canadian society has played an important role in shaping Canadian psychology. The article concludes by reviewing the disadvantages of fragmentation within the discipline and the importance of integrating basic science with psychological application. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)