Effectiveness of a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Young Adults with Cystic Fibrosis

This study examined the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral intervention for young adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Four young adults were referred for the therapy by medical staff because of perceived problems with anxiety, anger, or coping. Treatment impact was assessed on measures of anxiety, anger, perceptions of functional disability, and coping. A multiple baseline design across subjects was used. Overall, the impact of the cognitive behavioral intervention for young adults with CF was mixed. If participants had elevated baseline scores on anxiety, anger, or perceived functional disability, then some improvement was shown. However, only one participant had elevated baseline anxiety and anger scores, while two had higher functional disability scores. For coping, only one participant clearly displayed a greater use of approach relative to avoidance coping by the end of treatment. Results are discussed in terms of treatment implications, assessment, and coping issues.     

Assisted dying: Why the Argument from Sufficient Palliation fails

Opponents of legalising assisted dying often make the Argument from Sufficient Palliation. On the premise that advances in palliative treatment have made it possible to free terminal patients from pain and distress, the argument concludes that assisted dying is unnecessary. I assert that this argument fails. Firstly, the premise is false because patients respond differently to analgesics and many continue to experience intractable pain even on medication. Secondly, the premise fails to acknowledge the extreme discomfort (for many patients) of the side effects of palliative treatment. Thirdly, the conclusion would only follow from the premise if the overwhelming majority of patients had access to palliative treatment, and this is patently not the case. Finally, the argument completely overlooks the enormous distress experienced by terminal patients, arising from perceived loss of dignity and concerns about being a burden to others.     

The Bonds that Remind Us: Maternal Reminiscing for Bonding Purposes in Relation to Children's Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance

The present study investigated the relation between characteristics of mother–child reminiscing and children's perceived competence and social acceptance. We focused specifically on conversations for bonding purposes (i.e., conversations that serve the function of maintaining or strengthening the relationship between the child and the mother) as bonding may be a particularly salient context for the development of self‐views. Fifty‐two mothers and their 4‐year‐old children engaged in a past‐talk conversation where mothers were instructed to try to bond with their children. Children's perceived cognitive and physical competence and maternal and peer acceptance, along with language, were measured. Our results indicated that characteristics of maternal talk, particularly maternal support of child's autonomy and child‐centred content, were strongly related to children's perceived social acceptance. Although weaker, there were also associations between maternal talk and children's perceived competence. Results are discussed in light of theories arguing in favour of parent–child discourse as a mechanism for self‐development. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stability of Maternal Sensitivity Across Time and Contexts with Q‐Sort Measures

This study examined stability of maternal sensitivity and efficacy of a Q‐sort measure of maternal sensitivity across time and context. Two versions of the maternal behavior Q‐set (MBQS) were employed, first during the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) and second at home, 2.5 years later based on an available subsample. Findings revealed that the MBQS scores assessed at two time points in two contexts were significantly correlated, showing the stability of maternal sensitivity of the subsample over a time period of 2.5 years. The MBQS scores assigned to mothers of preschoolers were also significantly correlated with their children's early interactive behavioural scores given during the SSP. The current findings further support validating the consistency, the versatility and the efficacy of the MBQS as a sound measure of maternal sensitivity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.