Commentary on “Life as a Pregnant Genetic Counselor”

The genetic counseling role is complex. There are frequently challenges raised for the genetic counselor both personally with the client and through factors external to the genetic counselor such as the clinical setting. The pregnant genetic counselor working in a prenantal diagnosis center may be confronted by her own countertransference towards the client or by the client’s tranference. The processes of transference and countrtransference need to be clearly understood, identified and dealt with in a sensitive self aware manner to facilitate the role of communicating empathically and giving genetic information to facilitate informed client decision making. Regular professional supervision and debriefing for the genetic counselor are essential to develop professional boundaries and to develop self awareness.     

A Comparison of Sexual Aggression Risk Factors Between the United States and the Philippines

Sexual violence against women is a global problem, prompting the need to investigate the risk factors among males in non-Western, non-industrialized countries. Using the expanded Confluence Model, this study examined and compared risk factors of sexual aggression between male college students in the Philippines and the United States. Using path analysis and multiple group analysis, results indicated that the expanded Confluence Model was generally invariant between countries. Direct paths from hostile attitudes toward women and impersonal sex to sexual aggression were non-significant, but indirect effects from hostile attitudes toward women, alcohol consumption, and impersonal sex to sexual aggression via the frequency of misperceiving a woman’s sexual intent were observed. Additional risk analysis indicated that the number of elevated risk factors were associated with higher self-reports of sexual aggression.     

Effects of progesterone administration and APPswe+PSEN1Deltae9 mutation for cognitive performance of mid-aged mice

Progesterone (P(4)) and its metabolite, 5alpha-pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-THP) have trophic effects and may improve cognitive function. We investigated the role of progestins in a murine model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in which transgenic mice co-overexpress a mutant form of amyloid precursor protein (APPswe) and a deletion in presenilin 1 Delta exon 9 (APPswe+PSEN1Deltae9). We hypothesized that: (1) mice with the APPswe+PSEN1Deltae9 mutation would have performance deficits compared to wildtype mice and (2) long-term administration of P(4) would enhance cognitive performance and increase brain progestin levels over placebo. Mice were ovariectomized at 6 months of age and administered placebo or P(4) via subcutaneously implanted pellets. Mice were tested between 9 and 12 months of age for cognitive performance in the object placement, water maze, object recognition, and T-maze tasks and for motor behavior in an activity monitor and then tissues were collected for steroid measurement. P(4) administration increased progestin levels in cortex, diencephalon, midbrain, and cerebellum of wildtype and mutant mice, but increases in 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels in the hippocampus of APPswe+PSEN1Deltae9 mutant mice were attenuated compared to that observed in wildtype mice. APPswe+PSEN1Deltae9 mice showed poorer performance in hippocampus measures (object placement and water maze tasks). In the object recognition and T-maze task, which are mediated by the cortex and hippocampus, P(4) administration improved performance in both wildtype and APPswe+PSEN1Deltae9 mutant mice compared to placebo administration. Thus, APPswe+PSEN1Delta9 mice have deficits in hippocampal performance and capacity to form 3alpha,5alpha-THP in the hippocampus and both wildtype and APPswe+PSEN1Delta9 mice show beneficial effects of P(4) in cortical function and similar capacity to form 3alpha,5alpha-THP in the cortex.     

Being distinctive versus being conspicuous: The effects of numeric status and sex-stereotyped tasks on individual performance in groups

Being in the numeric minority (e.g., being a solo woman in a group of men) influences how well a person performs within a work group. But being the solo member is only one way in which people can be atypical in a group; a person can also represent a social or demographic category that has not typically been associated with the task that the group is working on. Using a design with four categories of group composition (minority, balanced, majority, homogeneous) and two categories of tasks (sex-typical, sex-atypical) we found that the sex composition of the group interacted with the sex typicality of the task to influence both positive deferrals by group members and individual performance in groups. But, rather than consistently reducing performance as prior research has suggested, being numerically atypical enhanced individual performance when the task was typical for that person’s sex. Further, positive deferrals mediated between the interaction of numeric composition and task typicality in influencing individual performance suggesting that both majority group members and the solo member affect one another’s performance in groups. We conclude by discussing why understanding the interplay between these two sources of stereotyping, numeric composition and task typicality, is important for understanding the social nature of individual performance in groups.     

Detoxification at Home: A Brief Solution-Oriented Family Systems Approach

The authors propose an outpatient, solution-oriented, family systems approach to detoxification from alcohol and/or drugs. Research indicates that outpatient detoxification is a viable option, one that will likely be utilized even more frequently as health care costs continue to rise. Nontraditional assumptions about the process of detoxification are suggested that challenge traditional notions about detoxification being only a biomedical, pretreatment event. Criteria are provided for determining the appropriateness of clients for outpatient detoxification and offer information about typical withdrawal symptoms and guidelines for the detoxification environment at home. A case example illustrates the application of this approach in a community mental health program. Suggestions for adapting this approach to various settings are also offered.     

Implications of MDMA use for prospective memory function and substance use patterns in an Australian sample: A web‐based pilot study

The use of amphetamine type stimulants, particularly MDMA, is a global concern. Little research has been conducted on the association between MDMA use and everyday memory function—prospective memory. Twenty‐five MDMA users, 37 cannabis users, and 43 illicit substance‐naïve controls were assessed on their substance use history and reported prospective memory performance as measured by the Prospective Memory Questionnaire (PMQ) using a web‐based survey. There were significant differences between MDMA users and controls and cannabis users and controls on long‐term episodic subscale of the PMQ. However, given the high prevalence of cannabis co‐use by MDMA users, it was not possible to determine if MDMA use alone is associated with prospective memory performance. The substance use patterns of the sample were evaluated. Alcohol was the most used substance followed by tobacco, cannabis, and MDMA. The incidence of polydrug use was high, with all illicit substance use reporting having used at least two substances in their lifetime. The present study supports previous research into prospective memory deficits associated with substance use, and provides a basis for future research, particularly for elucidation of prospective memory deficits specific to MDMA use and further evaluation of substance use patterns.     

Locus-of-Hope and Help-Seeking Intentions of Filipino Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

Correlates of help-seeking intentions of a sample of Filipino women victims of intimate partner violence were explored in this study, with a focus on the influence of locus-of-hope dimensions. Results indicated that self-esteem, most demographic and relationship factors were not systematically related to help-seeking intentions, but more educated battered women were less likely to seek help. As regards locus-of-hope dimensions, external-peer locus-of-hope positively predicted help-seeking intentions, whereas external-spiritual locus-of-hope negatively predicted help-seeking intentions. Results are discussed in terms of the psychological processes that guide decisions to seek help among battered women in the Philippines.