Stigma in help-seeking: the case of adolescents

Stigma associated with seeking help has been found to be a key help-seeking barrier, however its role is less clear for: (a) adolescents, (b) groups outside the United States and (c) different types of therapy. This study addresses these omissions by examining the relationships between perceptions of public stigma of mental illness and the self-stigma of seeking help, and how they are related to help-seeking attitudes and intentions for both individual and group therapy among adolescents in Israel (N?=?238). Path analysis confirmed that self-stigma of seeking help was negatively related to attitudes towards psychological help which was then positively related to intentions to seek help, across both individual and group therapy. Consistent with the only other study conducted in Israel, but contrasting research from other parts of the world, the relationship between perceptions of public stigma of mental illness and self-stigma of seeking help was not present for either individual or group therapy. However, perceptions of public stigma of mental illness were a direct negative predictor of help-seeking attitudes for group therapy. Overall, participants reported more negative perceptions of group therapy than individual therapy. These results have implications for future interventions to increase help-seeking behaviours for adolescents.     

Aggression and conventional rule violation among adolescents: Social-reasoning predictors of social behavior

The goal of the current study was to determine whether aggressive and conventional rule-violating behaviors could be predicted by social-cognitive beliefs and values regarding aggression and conventional rule violations. The extent to which adolescents (N = 398; grades 9 through 12) engaged in both aggressive behavior and conventional school rule violations was assessed using self-ratings and peer nominations. Results indicated that aggressive and conventional rule-violating behaviors were predicted by (1) beliefs about the legitimacy of aggressive and convention-violating behavior; (2) values placed on the expected outcomes of these acts, such as negative self-evaluations, peer disapproval, and tangible rewards; and (3) beliefs about the effects of these acts on others. Furthermore, the results indicated that aggressive and conventional transgressions were predicted better by beliefs and values within the same social-cognitive domain than across domains. In contrast to females, male students committed more aggressive acts and conventional rule violations and reported beliefs and values that were more supportive of aggressive behavior and conventional rule-violating behavior. However, gender differences in beliefs and values were greater for aggressive acts than for conventional acts. The results support the need to distinguish between behavioral domains when attempting to predict social behavior. Aggr. Behav. 24:347–365, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of opportunity to reciprocate and self-esteem on help-seeking behavior

The present investigation explored the link between an individual's self-esteem and willingness to seek help under conditions in which future reciprocity is, or is not, expected Based on past research on (a) the effects of perceived opportunity to reciprocate on help seeking, and (b) the effects of self-esteem on help-seeking and receiving, it was expected that relative to low self-esteem individuals, high self-esteem individuals would be more committed to the norm of reciprocity in interpersonal helping, and be more reluctant to seek help which cannot be reciprocated Two studies were conducted In the first it was observed that the higher the level of self-esteem the more the expressed commitment to the norm of reciprocity as measured by scores on an especially designed scale The second study assessed actual help-seeking behavior, and found that least help was sought by high self-esteem individuals who did not foresee an opportunity for future reciprocity The conceptual and applied implications of these findings are discussed     

儿童和青少年同伴侵害与攻击行为关系的三水平元分析

攻击行为在儿童和青少年的社会、情感和心理适应中发挥着重要作用, 而同伴侵害是儿童和青少年攻击行为一个重要的预测因素。先前的一些研究已经考察了儿童和青少年同伴侵害与攻击行为之间的关系, 但是尚不完全清楚调节效应对二者关系的影响。因此当前研究采用三水平元分析方法检验效应量的可靠性和一系列调节效应。在系统地搜索了2020年10月之前发表的文献后, 当前元分析确定了40项研究, 包括25605名被试, 共计333个效应量。主效应检验发现儿童和青少年的同伴侵害与攻击行为呈显著正相关。此外, 调节效应检验发现同伴侵害变量具有显著的调节作用。与身体侵害相比, 关系侵害与儿童和青少年攻击行为之间的相关更强。儿童和青少年的同伴侵害与攻击行为也受到了地区的调节, 它们之间的关系在亚洲地区比在南美洲地区更强。研究设计也是一个显著的调节变量, 儿童和青少年同伴侵害与攻击行为的相关在纵向研究中比在横向研究中更低。最后, 当前元分析的结果显示同伴侵害的报告者也是一个显著的调节变量。与同伴报告的同伴侵害相比, 教师报告的同伴侵害与儿童和青少年攻击行为之间的相关较高。当前研究的结果指出, 在预防、控制儿童和青少年的攻击行为时应该注意同伴侵害对其的影响。     

The assessment of type a behavior in children and adolescents: An overview

The present article presents an overview of the instruments that have been used to assess the Type A behavior pattern in children and adolescents. The development, usage, and psychometric properties of each assessment technique are discussed, with methodological concerns being addressed whenever appropriate. The Matthews Youth Test for Health is the assessment of choice for children, because of its brevity, ease of administration, and adequate psychometric properties. The Hunter-Wolf A-B Rating Scale is desirable only for older, highly literate children. The Adolescent Structured Interview appears to be the most promising device for the adolescent age range. The other adolescent assessment devices are relatively unpopular, difficult to administer, and not always conceptually parallel to existing research on Type A behavior. Recommendations for future research are presented.     

Social and psychological correlates of help-seeking behavior among urban adults

American Journal of Community Psychology -     

Intuitionism: An introduction to a seminar

Journal of Philosophical Logic -     

An expanded etiological model for suicide behavior in adolescents: Evidence for its specificity relative to depression

This study tests both the stress/social support and the stress/problem-solving etiological models for suicidality while controlling for depression. To this end, a depressed, high-suicide-ideating sample (N=68) was compared to a depressed, low-suicide-ideating sample (N=64). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to test the unique contributions of stress, problem-solving orientation, problem-solving skills, and perceived level of social support in predicting level of suicidality. Hierarchical regression analyses were also used to test the interactive contributions of problem-solving × stress and social support × stress in predicting level of suicidality. Regression models were generated separately for men, women, and the entire sample using all factors. The results clearly support the importance of social support as an independent predictor of suicidality for men, women, and the entire sample. Ability to generate alternatives to identified problems predicted suicidality, but only for women and the entire sample. Problem-solving orientation was not uniquely predictive of suicidality and may affect suicidal behavior via its relationship to depression.     

Using behavior contracts to improve behavior of children and adolescents in multiple settings

Research has shown that behavior contracts, a form of contingency management, can promote a wide range of behavior changes for individuals in varied populations; however, relatively few studies have been conducted in nonacademic settings. In the context of two service projects, we evaluated the extent to which behavior contracts improved problem behavior for 11 children and adolescents in residential treatment facilities and foster homes using nonconcurrent multiple baseline across participants’ designs with three or more tiers and supplemental statistical analysis for each tier. Practitioners in each setting implemented individualized behavior contracts for 5 to 59 weeks. Results show that behavior improved substantially for six participants but was relatively unchanged for the other five participants. We discuss the limitations of this clinically driven study, as well as clinical implications of our mixed findings.     

Gay adolescents and suicide: understanding the association

Suicide among gay adolescents is a major public health concern, but it is still under-emphasized within mainstream healthcare. This article brings together information garnered from past studies, articles, and experiences to create a more in-depth understanding of why gay adolescents are at a higher risk for suicide. By creating a better understanding, this article attempts to push forward the significance of this issue and encourages physicians to take a more active role in suicide prevention. The article initially explores why issues involving homosexuality are seldom discussed and provides evidence for an increased risk in suicide among gay adolescents. By addressing major psychosocial issues faced by gay adolescents, it spends the majority of time facilitating an understanding of the increased risk. In this article "gay" refers to homosexual males and females, and bisexuals unless otherwise indicated.     

Implications of developmental theories for counseling adolescents in groups

This paper presents a rationale for the use of group techniques in counseling adolescents, based on selected developmental theories. In addition, it delineates specific practical implications and guidelines for group counselors to consider. Specifically, group selection, group size and composition, and topical content are discussed as they relate to developmental issues during adolescence.