Evaluation of a School-Based Social Skills Program for Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is prevalent among school-aged children. An associated feature of the disorder is a deficit in social functioning, which can be detrimental in terms of long-term outcomes. Therefore, it is crucial to identify evidence-based interventions which can improve the social skills of children with ADHD. The current study was an evaluation of a school-based social skills training program, called Working Together: Building Children's Social Skills Through Folk Literature. The modified version of the program with generalization enhancers was delivered in three schools to 16 children over a 10-week period. Results indicated that this program was effective for improving social skills in children with ADHD, particularly for children with poor pragmatic language skills.     

A Review of: “Fairburn,C. G. (2008). Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Eating Disorders.”

Successful reports of behavioral treatment of encopresis describe interventions as unpleasant as the disorder: hospitalization, laxatives, prompted toileting, aversive consequences. The focus on soiling rather than on the constant constipation that precedes encopresis, on the reduction of soiling rather than on the acquisition of effective toilet use. Five normal chronically constipated children (four of whom were encopretic) were treated at home with combinations of: preparatory instructions, rewards for clean pants, reward for appropriate toileting (bowel movement in toilet). Once soiling was eliminated and appropriate bowel movements occured regularly, all families were taught to fade treatment contingencies. To determine the contribution of the toileting reward to treatment effectiveness, this reward was added to the other two treatment components in a multiple baseline across four cases; it provided a significant ingredient in short-term success. A fifth child achieved short-term success with only the instructions and the clean pants reward. Long-term results (11-20 months) revealed that the fifth child, who never received the toileting reward, was the only one who relapsed.     

King Ideology — “Urmensch” — “Troonsbestijgingsfeest”

The aim of this article is to show the structural continuity of the idea of justification and grace between the Cistercian abbot Bernard of Clairvaux and the Augustinian friar and church reformer Martin Luther in a forward reading of the two. Others, such as Peter Manns, the Obermann School and the Finnish Luther research have pointed at some link between Catholicism, including Bernard, and Luther, but they have also pointed to differences, especially as to their understanding of justification and grace. This article goes a bit further, by showing structural similarities between the two theologians, separated by some 400 years, also when it comes to the understanding of faith and grace. By so doing it furthermore questions what has been the dominant view among Lutherans: that Luther broke entirely with his Catholic past, with the exception of Augustine. The article therefore treats of factors that have been decisive for this view, such as the almost hostile perceptions of mysticism and Bernard as a mystic as well as of Mariology and Bernard as a mariolate. It is demonstrated that these labelings, the mystic and the mariolate, are based on a backward reading of Bernard's teaching, and that he first and foremost was a theologian preaching the justification by grace through faith because of Christ. The question is if Bernard, whom Luther evaluated highly as a preacher of Christ, can be seen as a model for Luther.     

Examining Risks and Protective Factors of On-Line Identity Theft

Identity-based crimes are considered to be one of the most significant and growing problems of the last 20 years due to the significant economic harm these offenses pose for victims. The increased use and availability of personal information through on-line outlets has significantly increased the risk of identity-based fraud, although few have considered the factors that affect the likelihood of this type of victimization. This study utilizes a sample of students, faculty, and staff at a southeastern university to investigate the effects that protective factors possess on fostering resiliency against on-line identity theft. The findings suggest that protective software programs increase individual resiliency to victimization. The implications of this study for both resiliency models and cybercrime victimization are considered in detail.     

Book reviews

This paper reports findings from a study of the psychometric properties of a newly developed measure, the Spiritual Issues in Supervision Scale (SISS). The instrument was originally conceived in response to the growing need within the helping professions to understand the role of spirituality within clinical practice and supervision. While evidence supporting the internal consistency of the measure was obtained through a preliminary study, the present investigation provides a more detailed examination of the measure. Results reflect that the instrument in addition to being reliable, measures four dimensions of supervision that related to spirituality. Based on the findings of this study, conclusions are provided pertaining to the potential utility of the instrument.     

Media review

Abstract

The AIDS Movie. Produced by Durrin Films, Washington, DC. Film or videocassette, 26 minutes, color, 1986. Purchase: $455 for 16mm film, $390 for VHS. Rental: $57. All prices include shipping. A teaching guide and a copy of the U.S. Surgeon General's report are included. Contact New Day Films, 22 Riverview Drive, Wayne, NJ 07407: telephone, Barb Giniger, (202) 387-6700