Reflections On The Intensive Measurement Of Stress,Coping, And Mood,With An Emphasis On Daily Measures

Abstract

This paper discusses reasons for the shift from longer-term measurement of stress, coping, and mood to more intensive measurement strategies. Daily assessments are common in intensive studies of these constructs. We review measures available to the researcher, focusing on various aspects of the constructs. While daily assessments are an improvement over less intensive methods, we also discuss shortcomings of these measures. Furthermore, current assessments may not capture many important dimensions of stressful occurrences, and we suggest that such occurrences be thought of in terms of episodes. Modifications of current assessments are discussed, as are even more intensive assessments of stress, coping, and mood.     

Comment on Delgado-Romero and Howard

Abstract

Too often the human services dehumanize and depersonalize those who come to receive services, as well as those professionals who provide physical disabilities and people with psychiatric disabilities are frequently hurt by helping professionals, the phenomenon of “spirit breaking” is introduced. Suggestions for re‐humanizing the human services are made, including new models for clinical interaction that serve to empower rather than disempower service recipients, and the contributions that people with disabilities are making in their own state and national movements for social justice and the right to humane treatment and rehabilitation services.     

Multimodal Exposure-Based Group Treatment for Peacekeepers With PTSD: A Preliminary Evaluation

Group therapy can effectively reduce posttraumatic stress symptoms. However, the available literature on multifaceted programs for military samples is limited and available studies typically do not evaluate outcomes on a broad range of related problems. This study describes a retrospective evaluation of a multimodal, exposure-based group treatment program for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated symptoms in 22 peacekeeping veterans who successfully completed treatment. Treatment consisted of exposure-based CBT, case management, psycho-education, creative arts therapy, psychomotor therapy, psychodrama, and socio-therapy, which were provided one day a week for approximately 21 months. Analysis of pre- and posttreatment assessments showed that coping styles and professional and personality functioning had improved and that anxiety, somatic, depressive, and PTSD symptoms were reduced after treatment. Because significant improvement was observed on several parameters, the program may have successfully addressed a broad range of problems frequently reported by veterans with complex and chronic PTSD.     

Use of the Everyday Memory Questionnaire With Children

The Everyday Memory Questionnaire (EMQ; Sunderland, Harris, & Baddeley, 1983) was examined for its suitability to assess children's memory. The parents of 226 school children (6-12 years) completed the EMQ in relation to their own children. A subset of these children (N=101), in 6, 8 and 10 years age groups, completed subtests of the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning (WRAML; Sheslow & Adams, 1990). Comparison of EMQ and WRAML data found aspects of verbal memory correlated moderately with the EMQ in the 10 years age group. There were no meaningful correlations in the 8 years age group. In the 6 years age group aspects of visual memory correlated moderately with the EMQ. The diagnostic utility of the EMQ for children was assessed by comparing the school group to children diagnosed with ADHD and/or learning disorders. Diagnostic indicators revealed the EMQ to have high sensitivity (89%) but poor positive predictive power, identifying 40% of the school group as having memory deficits. Negative predictive power (confirming a negative diagnosis) was high. Validity data suggested that the EMQ could be useful with children at least as young as 10 years and further research needs to be conducted to establish the utility of the EMQ in clinical groups with primary memory deficits.     

An Evolutionary Approach Toward Exploring Altered States of Consciousness,Mind–Body Techniques,and Non-Local Mind

Humans are a part of the complex system including both natural and cultural-technological environment. Evolution of this system included self-amplifying feedbacks that lead to the appearance of human conscious mind. We describe the current state of the understanding of human brain evolution that stresses neurohormonal and biochemical changes rather than simple increase of anatomical substrate for the mind. It follows that human brain is strongly influenced by the state of the body and may operate at various levels of consciousness depending on its biochemical environment created by ingestion of various substances and by specific physical activities. Through the study of the widespread phenomenon of shamanism that uses mind-altering practices we argue that altered states of consciousness and non-local minds are not only real phenomena, but that they are products of natural evolution, valuable for human survival and development. Consideration of altered states of consciousness and broadening of the framework for understanding brain function beyond mechanistic interpretations is necessary to further develop human adaptations and provide a better way of fitting humans as parts of the interconnected system into the global and universal patterns.     

Book review section

The Emergence of Philosophy of Religion James Collins New Haven: Yale University Press, 1967 Pp. 517, $12.50