Book notes

Mana: Revue de Sociologie et d'Anthropologie Caen: Department of Sociology, University of Caen, Esplanade de la Paix, 1400 Caen, France. 242 pp, 81 FF (in France, inch postage)

Desh Pardesh: The South Asian Presence in Britain Roger Ballard, ed., 1994 London: Hurst & Co. 296 pp., £9.95 (pb) ISBN 1–85065–092–6

Religions et sécurité international Jean‐François Mayer, 1995 Bern: Office Central de la Défense Series: Études relatives à la politique de sécurité, No. 2/1995 143 pp.

Essential Teachings His Holiness the Dalai Lama London: Souvenir Press, 1995 152 pp., £9.99 (hb) ISBN 0–285–63273–6

Voices of Islam John Bowker, 1995 Oxford: Oneworld Publications 188 pp., £8.95 ISBN 1–85168–095–0

A Short History of the Bahá'i Faith Peter Smith, 1996 Oxford: Oneworld Publications 168 pp., £5.95 (pb) ISBN 1–85168–070–5

A Short History of Islam William Montgomery Watt, 1996 Oxford: Oneworld Publications 156 pp., £5.95 (pb) ISBN 1–85168–109–4

Dictionary of the Middle East Dilip Hiro, 1996 Basingstoke: Macmillan 367 pp., £14.99 (pb) ISBN 0–333–65926–0

The Hebrew Bible Dan Cohn‐Sherbok, 1996 London: Cassell 257 pp., £55.00 (hb), £13.99 (pb) ISBN 0–304–33702–1 (hb), 0–304–33703‐X (pb)

The Puzzle of God Peter Vardy, 1995 London: Fount/Harper Collins 240 pp., £7.99 ISBN 0–00–627965–1     

Book notes

Apocalyptic Bodies: The Biblical End of the World in Text and Image Tina Pippin, 1999 London, New York: Routledge 160 pp., £14.99 ISBN 0–415–18248–4

The Picture in Question: Mark Tansey and the Ends of Representation Marc C. Taylor, 1999 Chicago, London: University of Chicago Press 144 pp., US$30.00, £23.95 (hb), US$12.00, £9.50 (pb) ISBN 0–226–79128–9 (hb), ISBN 0–226–79129–7

Religion in the Twenty‐first Century Mary Pat Fisher, 1999 London: Routledge 128 pp., £6.99 (pb) ISBN 0–415–21166–2

Religion im Wandel der Kosmologien Religionswissenschaft Vol. 10 Dieter Zeixer, ed., 1999 Frankfurt a.M., Berlin, Berne, New York, Paris, Vienna: Peter Lang 305 pp., £33.00 (pb) ISBN 3–631–33138‐X

Pluralism and the Religions: The Theological and Political Dimensions John D'Arcy May, ed., 1998 London: Cassell 99 pp., £30 (hb), £9.99 (pb) ISBN 0–304–70258–7 (hb), ISBN 0–304–70259–5 (pb)

Sharing Shalom: A Process for Local Interfaith Dialogue between Christians and Jews Philip A. Cunningham & Arthur F. Starr, eds., 1998 New York; Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press/Stimulus Books 120 pp., US$7.95 (pb) ISBN 0–8091–3835–2

What Price Prejudice? Christian Antisemitism in America Frank E. Eakin, Jr., 1998 New York; Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press/Stimulus Books 208 pp., US$9.95 (pb) ISBN 0–8091–3822–0

Christian Theology: A Brief Introduction Gareth Jones, 1999 Oxford: Polity Press 178 pp., £45.00 (hb), £14.99 (pb) ISBN 0–7456–1062–5 (hb), ISBN 0–7456–1063–3 (pb)

Holy Smoke. Religion and Roots: A Personal Memoir LiBBY PURVES, 1998 London: Hodder & Stoughton 199 pp., £14.99 (pb) ISBN 0–340–72151–0

Animal Gospel: Christian Faith as though Animals Mattered Andrew Linzey, 1998 London: Hodder & Stoughton 212 pp., £6.99 (pb) ISBN 0–340–62150–8

Vocations in Kerala: A Study on the Changes in the Social Determinants of Vocations to Priesthood and Religious Life in the Catholic Community in Kerala Jose Kuriedath, 1998 Thevara, Kochi, India: Sacred Heart College 144 pp., Rs 50/‐ no ISBN indicated

Jim Bakker: Miscarriage of Justice? James A. Albert, 1997 Chicago; La Salle, Illinois: Open Court Publishing 532 pp., £31.95 (hb), £14.50 (pb) ISBN 0–8126–9369–8 (hb), ISBN 0–8126–9370–1 (pb)

Buddhism and the Mythology of Evil: A Study in Theravada Buddhism Trevor Ling, 1997 Oxford: Oneworld Publications 179 pp., £11.99 (pb) ISBN 1–85168–132–9

Jung on Mythology Robert A. Segal, ed., 1998 London: Routledge 275 pp., £15.99 (pb) ISBN 0–415–19944–1

Islam: A Concise Introduction Neal Robinson, 1999 Richmond, Surrey: Curzon 197 pp., £40.00 (hb), £14.99 (pb) ISBN 0–7007–1103–1 (hb), ISBN 0–7007–1100–7 (pb)

Der Koran: Zugänge und Lesarten Hans Zirker, 1999 Darmstadt: Primus Verlag 230 pp., DM 39.80, SFR 37.00, 6S 291.00 (pb) ISBN 3–89678–121–9

On Faith Nathan Rotenstreich/Paul Mendes‐Flohr, 1998 Chicago, London: University of Chicago Press xii +169 pp., £27.95, US$35.00 (hb), £11.95, US$15.00 (pb) ISBN 0–226–72875–7 (hb), ISBN 0–226–72876–5 (pb)

Hegel's Idea of a Phenomenology of Spirit Michael N. Forster, 1998 Chicago: University of Chicago Press 661 pp., £59.95, US$75 (hb), £23.95, US$30.00 (pb) ISBN 0–226–25740–1 (hb), ISBN 0–226–25742–8 (pb)

Cartesian Questions: Method and Metaphysics Jean‐Luc Marion, 1999 Chicago, London: University of Chicago Press 215 pp., US$25.00, £19.95 (pb) ISBN 0–226–50544–8     

Book reviews

Modern American Religion, Vol. 3. Under God, Indivisible, 1941–1960 Martin E. Marty, 1996 Chicago: University of Chicago Press 548 pp. + xii. £27.96, US$34.95 ISBN 0–22–50898–6

Perspectives on New Religious Movements John A. Sauba, 1995 London: Geoffrey Chapman 240 pp., £12.99 (pb), £35.00 (hb) ISBN 0–225–66787–8 (pb),’ ISBN 0–225–66786‐X (hb)

New Religions and the New Europe Robert Towler, ed., 1995 Aarhus: Aarhus University Press 246 pp., £19.95 ISBN 87 7288 433 9

A New Dictionary of Religions John R. Hinnells, ed., 1995 Oxford: Blackwell 760 pp., US$74.95 (hb) ISBN 0–631–18139–3

Den Fremden verstehen: Eine Praktische Hermeneutik Theo Sundermeier, 1996 Göttingen: Vandenhoek & Ruprecht 260 pp. ISBN 3–525–01619–0

Religion and Mass Media: Audiences and Adaptations Daniel A. Stout & Judith M. Buddenbaum, eds, 1996 Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications 294 pp., £37.00 (hb), £18.50 (pb) ISBN 0–8039–7173–7 (hb), 0–8039–7174–5 (pb)

Contemporary Mainstream Religion: Studies from Humberside and Lincolnshire Peter G. Forster, ed., 1995 Aldershot: Avebury xxxvii +135 pp., £30.00 ISBN 1–8562–919–2

One Earth Many Religions: Multifaith Dialogue and Global Responsibility Paul F. Kntiter, 1995 Maryknoll, New York: Orbis xiv + 218 pp., US$17.00 ISBN 1–57075–037–8

A Wider Vision: A History of the World Congress of Faiths 1936–1996 Marcus Braybrooke, 1996 Oxford: Oneworld Publications 192 pp., £10.99, US$16.95 ISBN 1–85168–119–1

The Phenomenon of Teilhard: Prophet for a New Age David H. Lane, 1996 Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press xvi +192 pp., US$21.95 ISBN 0–86554–498–0

The Wisdom of the Wyrd: Teachings for Today from our Ancient Past Brian Bates, 1996 London: Rider xiii +306 pp., £12.99 ISBN 0‐712E‐7277‐X

Desinformation als Methode. Die Bahā'ísmus‐Monographie des F. Ficicchia Udo Schaefer, Nicola Towfigh, Ulrich Gollmer, 1995 Hildesheim Georg Olms Verlag xiii + 685 pp., DM 65.00 (hb) ISBN 3–487–10041‐X

The New Latin American Mission History (Latin American Studies Series) Erick Langer & Robert H. Jackson, eds, 1995 Lincoln & London: University of Nebraska Press 212 pp., £15.95 (pb), £32.95 (hb) ISBN 0–8032–7953–1 (pb), ISBN 0–8032–2911–9 (hb)

Gender Rituals: Female Initiation in Melanesia Nancy C. Lutkehaus & Paul B. Roscoe, eds, 1995 New York Routledge 265 pp., £13.99 (pb), £37.50 (hb) ISBN 0–415–91107–9 (pb), ISBN 0–415–91106–0 (hb)

Daughters of Anowa: African Women and Patriarchy Mercy Amba Oduyoye, 1995 Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books 229 pp., US$18.00 (pb) ISBN 0–88344–999–4

Christianity in Africa: The Renewal of a Non‐Western Religion Kwame Bediako, 1995 Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press; Maryknoll: Orbis Books 276 pp., £16.95 ISBN 0–7486–0625–4

The Christian Heritage in the Holy Land Anthony O'Mahony with Goran Gunner & Kevork Hintuan, eds, 1995 Epping, Essex: Scorpion Cavendish xi + 320 pp., £15.95 ISBN 1–900269–06–6 (pb)

Patterns of the Sacred: English Protestant and Russian Orthodox Pilgrims of the Nineteenth Century Ruth & Thomas Hummel, 1995 Epping, Essex: Scorpion Cavendish ix + 76 pp., £10.00 ISBN 1–900269–08–2 (pb)

Pilgrimage Past and Present: Sacred Travel and Sacred Space in the World Religions Simon Coleman & John Elsner, 1995 London: British Museum Press 240 pp., Illus., £20.00 ISBN 0–7141–1738–2     

Book reviews

Living While Dying. R. Glynn Owens & Freda Naylor Northamptonshire, Thorsons, 1989 112 pp., £4.99 Robert Jones

Attitudes, Personality and Behaviour. Icek Ajzen Milton Keynes, Open University Press, 1988 xii+175 pp., £7.95 (paperback), £25.00 (hardback)

Planning Together the Art of Effective Team Work. George Gwalinski & Lois Graessle London, Bedford Square Press 88 pp., £9.95 Judy Hutchings

Relating to Others. Steve Duck Milton Keynes, Open University Press, 1988 xviii + 174 pp., £7.95 (paperback), £25.00 (hardback) Alun Waddon

Say When! Everything a woman needs to know about alcohol and drinking problems. Rosemary Kent London, Sheldon Press iv+118pp.,£3-05 Fran McVeigh

Psychotherapy and the Spiritual Quest. David Benner London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1989 173 pp., £6.95 John Connell     

Working mechanisms of a web-based self-management intervention for cancer survivors: a randomised controlled trial

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether problem-solving skills and perceived personal control over cancer recovery mediated the intervention effects on depression and fatigue of a web-based computer-tailored intervention for cancer survivors – the Kanker Nazorg Wijzer (Cancer Aftercare Guide).

Design: Patients were recruited through 21 Dutch hospitals (November 2013–June 2014). The mediation model was tested in a randomised controlled trial with an intervention group (n = 231) and a waiting list control group (n = 231).

Main outcome measures: Hypothesised mediators problem-solving skills (SPSI-R) and personal control (IPQ-R) were measured at baseline and 3 months from baseline. Outcomes depression (HADS) and fatigue (CIS) were measured at baseline and 6 months from baseline.

Results: The intervention effects in decreasing depression and fatigue were mediated by personal control. Problem-solving skills did not mediate the intervention effects on depression and fatigue.

Conclusion: While personal control in the control group decreased in the first three months after baseline, levels of personal control within the intervention group were maintained. This effect partially explained the intervention effects on depression and fatigue. The results provide evidence for the relevance of addressing personal control in web-based interventions in order to improve psychosocial well-being in early cancer survivors.     

Relations between empathy and anxiety dimensions in inpatient adolescents

Background and objectives: A better understanding of the relationships between empathy and internalizing disorders is needed to plan therapeutic interventions for children and adolescents. Several studies have revealed positive relations of internalizing symptoms to personal distress and affective empathy. However, there is a lack of studies that take into account the multidimensional nature of anxiety in its relation to empathy.

Design: Structural equation modeling was used to test the moderated mediation model of the relations between empathy, depression and anxiety dimensions and the moderating role of gender on these associations in inpatient adolescents.

Method: A total of 403 inpatient adolescents aged 12–17 years completed the Basic Empathy Scale, the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II.

Results: Affective empathy was positively related to all the anxiety dimensions – most strongly to separation/panic and humiliation/rejection anxiety, whereas cognitive empathy was negatively related to social and separation/panic anxiety. Relations between affective and cognitive empathy and anxiety were partly mediated by depressive symptoms. No evidence of a moderating role of gender has been found.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that processes associated with empathy may play a role in the development or maintenance of anxiety symptoms.     

Book reviews and books received

Helping interventions John Heron: Helping the Client: a Creative Practical Guide. London: Sage, 1990. £9.95.

A person-centred perspective on school counselling John McGuiness: A Whole School Approach to Pastoral Care. London: Kogan Page, 1989. £8.95.

How to relate effectively Richard Nelson-Jones: Human Relationship Skills (2nd edition). London: Cassell, 1990. £11.95.

Ripe for research? Dave Mearns and Windy Dryden: Experiences of Counselling in Action. London: Sage, 1989. £9.95.

Issues in action Windy Dryden (ed.): Key Issues for Counselling in Action. London: Sage, 1989. £7.95.

The meaning of death Rosemary Dinnage: The Ruffian on the Stair: Reflections on Death. London: Viking, 1990. £14.99.

The empty cradle Irving G. Leon: When a Baby Dies: Psychotherapy for Pregnancy and Newborn Loss. London: Yale University Press, 1990. £20.

Children against themselves Israel Orbach: Children Who Don't Want to Live: Understanding and Treating the Suicidal Child. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1988. £17.95.     

Change in subjective social status following HIV diagnosis and associated effects on mental and physical health among HIV-positive gay men in Australia

Objective: This study investigates the impact of HIV diagnosis on subjective social status and if changes are linked to health outcomes.

Design: Two measures of subjective social status, socio-economic and standing in the community were examined in 342 Australian HIV-positive gay men in 2014. Participants recalled ratings at diagnosis were compared with current ratings.

Main outcome measures: Self-reported mental (psychological distress, self-esteem, positive mental health and satisfaction with life) and physical health (self-rated health, CD4 count, viral load).

Results: Half of the participants reported improvements in subjective socio-economic status (59%) or standing in the community (52%) since diagnosis, yet one quarter reported socio-economic status (25%) or standing in the community had decreased (23%). Increases in either measure of subjective social status were linked to higher self-esteem, positive mental health, satisfaction with life and better self-rated health. Decreases in subjective social status, however, were strongly linked to poorer outcomes on all mental health measures. Decreases in standing in the community were also associated with poorer physical self-rated health.

Conclusion: Most participants reported their subjective social status were the same or better since diagnosis. Changes in subjective social status following diagnosis were strongly linked to mental health outcomes. Those who reported a decrease in subjective social status were particularly vulnerable to mental health problems.     

Increased cognitive problem reporting after information about chemotherapy-induced cognitive decline: The moderating role of stigma consciousness

Objective: Information about treatment side effects can increase their occurrence; breast cancer (BC) patients showed increased cognitive problem reporting (CPR) and decreased memory performance after information about cognitive side effects. The current study extends previous research on adverse information effects (AIE) by investigating (a) risk factors, (b) underlying mechanisms and (c) an intervention to reduce AIE.

Design: In an online experiment, 175 female BC patients were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. In the two experimental groups, patients were informed about the possible occurrence of cognitive problems after chemotherapy with (intervention group) or without (experimental group) reassuring information that ‘there are still patients who score well on memory tests’. In the control group, no reference to chemotherapy-related cognitive problems was made.

Main outcome measures: Main dependent measure was CPR. Four moderating and five mediating processes were examined.

Results: CPR increased with higher levels of stigma consciousness in the two experimental groups, but not in the no-information control group.

Conclusion: Merely informing patients about cognitive side effects may increase their occurrence, especially among individuals vulnerable to patient stereotypes. Adding reassuring information is not sufficient to reduce AIE.     

Book reviews

So you thought you had sorted out a Code of Ethics? Gavin Fairbairn and Susan Fairbaim: Ethical Issues in Caring. Aldershot: Avebury, 1988. £22.50.

The myth of positivism Celia Kitzinger: The Social Construction of Lesbianism. London: Sage, 1987. £8.95.

A family approach to art psychotherapy H. B. Landgarten: Family Art Psychotherapy: a Clinical Guide and Casebook. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1987. $27.50.

Simple psychodynamics Michael Jacobs: Psychodynamic Counselling in Action. London: Sage, 1988.

Optimistic assumptions T. Haberle: Counselling and Curing. London: SPCK, 1987. £3.50.     

Self-reported stress and psychophysiological reactivity in paramedics

Background: As an important group of health care professionals, paramedics accomplish sophisticated and frequently stressful tasks.

Design: The study investigated self-reported stress burden, self-reported health status, coping strategies, personality traits and psychophysiological reactivity in paramedics.

Methods: 30 paramedics were compared with 30 professionals from other disciplines, in terms of self-reported stress, physical complaints, coping strategies, personality traits and psychophysiological reactivity during aversive visual and acoustic stimuli, and cognitive challenge. Regression analyses were performed for the prediction of stress burden and physical complaints in paramedics according to coping and personality factors.

Results: Paramedics reported lower stress and less somatic complaints, and exhibited reduced electrodermal activity and heart rate responses to experimental stimuli, as well as higher respiratory sinus arrhythmia. They indicated less negative coping strategies, reduced empathy, and higher conscientiousness and sensation seeking. Higher self-reported stress burden and more physical symptoms were associated inter alia with more negative coping strategies, less conscientiousness and lower empathy.

Conclusion: The findings support the notion of reduced self-reported stress burden, and improved general health and stress resistance in paramedics. In addition to health benefits, stress tolerance may contribute to the prevention of performance decline during situations in which health and life are at stake.     

The role of stressful life events on the cortisol reactivity patterns of breast cancer survivors

Objective: Atypical patterns of cortisol secretion following an acute stressor have been commonly reported in breast cancer survivors. Stressful life events have been associated with blunted acute cortisol levels in other populations. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of stressful life events on cortisol secretion patterns of breast cancer survivors following an acute stressor.

Design: The Trier Social Stress (TSST) was used to elicit a moderate stress response in breast cancer survivors (n = 19) and a control group (n = 17). Saliva samples were collected before, during and after the TSST to provide cortisol concentrations. During recovery, we recorded the frequency and subjective impact of stressful life events in the past year using the Life Experience Survey.

Results: Simple regressions analyses were performed; results suggest no group differences between the total number of stressful life events and their subjective impact. However, the total number of stressful life events as well as their subjective impact correlated negatively with the peak cortisol concentration in breast cancer survivors.

Conclusions: The cumulative effect of stressful life events, positive and negative, may impact the endocrine stress system of breast cancer survivors more so than that of women with no history of cancer.     

Experiences and engagement with the design features and strategies of an internet-delivered treatment programme for generalised anxiety disorder: a service-based evaluation

Background: Outcome research has highlighted the efficacy of internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT). Some process research has examined users experiences of iCBT. Understanding the user experience provides valuable feedback to developers of internet-delivered interventions.

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate user's experiences and engagement with the design features of an internet-delivered treatment programme for anxiety.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 participant users of the Space from Anxiety programme. A thematic analysis framework was employed to analyse the data collected.

Results: Identified themes related to participants engagement and adherence with the programme material, participant's experience of personal development through interaction with the programme content and participants experience of the social features employed in the programme. Another theme investigated the various attributes or conditions necessary for internet-delivered therapy to be helpful to an individual.

Conclusion: Considering the experiences of users of online interventions provides insight into what works for whom both in terms of technological features and the various skills and strategies that may compose the treatment intervention. Knowing more about what design features and strategies/components of the intervention are attractive and keep users involved can only enhance the delivery of effective internet-delivered interventions for anxiety disorders.     

Improving Interaction Competencies With Children—A Pilot Feasibility Study to Reduce School Corporal Punishment

High prevalence rates of corporal punishment in schools worldwide and the associated negative mental health issues show the need for interventions addressing this problem. Yet, so far there are very few intervention studies aimed at altering corporal punishment administered by teachers, particularly in low- or middle-income countries.

To conduct a feasibility study of the newly developed intervention approach, Interaction Competencies with Children for Teachers (ICC-T)—a training workshop designed to prevent corporal punishment and improve the teacher-student relationship.

The 1-week ICC-T intervention was conducted with 30 teachers in a Tanzanian primary school. Participants filled out a survey before, directly after, and 3 months following the intervention.

The widespread use of corporal punishment indicated strong demand for a preventive intervention. The feasibility of ICC-T was good: Despite challenging conditions, implementation of the training and participants’ acceptance was high. Further, participants reported a good integration of the training’s core elements in their daily working routine, improvements in the teacher-student relationships, and in the students’ behavior.

ICC-T shows a promising feasibility in the Tanzanian teacher sample. These encouraging results highlight the need for further studies testing the efficacy, sustainability, and effects of ICC-T on the students’ well-being.     

Couple adjustment to a stressful life event: a dyadic investigation of the roles of positive reframing and perceived benefits

Background and Objectives: This study examines positive reframing (a form of meaning making), perceived benefits (a form of meanings made) and adjustment in couples who experienced a stressful life event in the past year. This study tested whether couple members’ scores were nonindependent and whether one’s own perceived benefits was predicted by their own positive reframing (actor effect) as well as their partner’s positive reframing (partner effect). Further, this study tested actor and partner effects for the link between perceived benefits and adjustment and whether positive reframing (the initial variable) works through perceived benefits (the mediator) to affect adjustment (the outcome) at the dyadic level.

Design: A standard dyadic design was used.

Methods: Eighty couples completed measures of positive reframing, perceived benefits, and adjustment (depression, anxiety, positive affect, life satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction).

Results: Partners’ scores on study variables were related, and although only actor effects were found for the path between positive reframing and perceived benefits, both actor and partner effects were found for the path between perceived benefits and adjustment. Mediation was found for actor–actor and actor-partner indirect effects.

Conclusions: Results indicate that a greater focus on interpersonal factors is needed to further meaning-making theory and inform practice.     

Revisiting self-regulatory techniques to promote physical activity in older adults: null-findings from a randomised controlled trial

Objective. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to evaluate a three-hour face-to-face physical activity (PA) intervention in community-dwelling older German adults with four groups: The intervention group (IG) received behaviour change techniques (BCTs) based on the health action process approach plus a views-on-ageing component to increase PA. The second intervention group ‘planning’ (IGpl) contained the same BCTs, only substituted the views-on-ageing component against an additional planning task. An active control group received the same BCTs, however, targeting volunteering instead of PA. A passive control group (PCG) received no intervention.

Design. The RCT comprised 5 time-points over 14 months in N = 310 participants aged 64+.

Main outcome measures. Self-reported as well as accelerometer-assessed PA.

Results. Neither PA measure increased in the IG as compared to the other groups at any point in time. Bayes analyses supported these null-effects.

Conclusion. A possible explanation for this null-finding in line with a recent meta-analysis is that some self-regulatory BCTs may be ineffective or even negatively associated with PA in interventions for older adults as they are assumed to be less acceptable for older adults. This interpretation was supported by observed reluctance to participate in self-regulatory BCTs in the current study.     

Book reviews and books received

Using REBT with Common Psychological Problems Yankura, J. & Dryden, W., 1997 New York: Springer ISBN 0-8261-9800-7 $33.95

Promoting Positive Behaviour O'Brien, T., 1998 London: David Fulton ISBN 1-85346-502-X £13.99

Person-Centred Counselling Training Mearns, D., 1997 London: Sage ISBN 0-7619-5290-X (hbk); 0-761-9-5291-8 (pbk) £35 (hbk); £14.99 (pbk)

Feminism and Psychotherapy: Reflections on Contemporary Theories and Practices Seu, I.B. & Heenan, M.C. (EDS), 1998 London: Sage ISBN 0-7619-5191-1 £14.99

Carl Rogers: a Critical Biography Cohen, D., 1998 London: Constable ISBN 0-09-477010-7 £20

Long-Term Counselling Shipton, G. & Smithe, E., 1998 London: Sage ISBN 0-7619-5030-3 £12.99

Making Vocational Choices: a Theory of Vocational Personalities and Work Environments (3rd edn) Holland, J.L., 1997 Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources ISBN 0-911907-27-0 $29.95     

Psychological adjustment to cleft lip and/or palate: A narrative review of the literature

Objective: Adjustment to cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) is multifaceted, involving several domains of psychological and social functioning. A substantial increase in research in this area has been evident in recent years, along with a preliminary shift in how adjustment to CL/P is conceptualised and measured. An updated and comprehensive review of the literature is needed in light of the rapidly expanding and changing field.

Design: A narrative review of 148 quantitative and qualitative studies published between January 2004 and July 2015.

Main outcome measures: Findings are presented according to five key domains of adjustment: Developmental Trajectory, Behaviour, Emotional Well-being, Social Experiences and Satisfaction with Appearance and Treatment. Data pertaining to General Psychological Well-being were also examined.

Results: The overall impact of CL/P on psychological adjustment appears to be low. Nonetheless, the review demonstrates the complexity of findings both within and across domains, and highlights recurring methodological challenges.

Conclusions: Research findings from the last decade are considered to be largely inconclusive, although some areas of emerging consensus and improvements in the approaches used were identified. Efforts to collect data from large, representative and longitudinal samples, which are comparable across studies and encompassing of the patient perspective, should be doubled.     

The stress of food allergy issues in daily life

Objective: Food allergies are a growing health concern, but their implications for daily psychological functioning are unknown. This micro-longitudinal study investigated the daily frequency of food allergy issues and how this related to experiences of stress, mood and physical energy.

Design: One hundred and eight adults with physician-diagnosed food allergies completed an initial Internet survey followed by a 2-week Internet daily diary survey.

Main outcome measures: The initial survey collected socio-demographic and food allergy information. The daily survey collected information about the participants’ experiences of stress, mood, physical energy and food allergy issues during that day.

Results: Commonly experienced allergy issues included negative physical symptoms, higher food prices, anxiety about safety of food, trouble maintaining a healthy diet and anxiety/stress at social occasions. Furthermore, multilevel modelling analyses showed that stress and negative mood were significantly higher on days with more allergy issues. Older adults experienced lower positive mood and physical energy on days with more issues.

Conclusion: This is the first study to incorporate near to real-time tracking to examine the frequency of food allergy issues and the implications for daily psychological functioning. Targeting the issues we identified could reduce stress in patients with food allergies and improve their overall quality of life.