Common Themes in the Experiences of Mother-Daughter Incest Survivors: Implications for Counseling

A qualitative method was used to explore the phenomenon of mother-daughter incest. Common themes were extracted from in-depth interviews with survivors of mother-perpetrated sexual abuse, some of which parallel the experience of survivors of other forms of child sexual abuse, and some of which are more specific to mother-daughter incest. These themes are discussed in detail. Counseling implications are discussed and treatment recommendations are made for therapists working with adult survivors of maternal sexual abuse.     

Multicultural Training in University Counseling Center Predoctoral Psychology Internship Programs: A Survey

Research indicates that graduate programs in counseling and clinical psychology are beginning to include more courses on multicultural issues. Little data is available, however, concerning the inclusion of training in multicultural issues in predoctoral psychology internship training programs. This study examined the amount and type of such training actually occurring at predoctoral psychology internship training programs in university counseling centers.     

Gender and Preferences for Job Attributes: A Cross Cultural Comparison

This study examined attitudes toward work and worker compensation among American (n = 201) and Australian (n = 177) business students. Although country-related differences were found, the data did not support the presumption that men and women differ in preferences for job attributes or work-related attitudes that might influence career progression. Expectations for salary were not related to gender or to work experience. In contrast to a self-selection theory of attitude and occupational choice, similarities between men and women were apparent before career entry and not related to prior employment. Observed differences in work attitudes between countries appeared to reflect the greater emphasis placed on achievement through work by Americans.     

Teacher and peer reactions to boys' and girls' play styles

Seventy children (35 boys and 35 girls) aged 24 to 30 months were observed in play groups consisting of 12–15 2- and 3-year-old children and two teachers. The social interaction was coded using an observation schedule which allowed for coding the children's behaviors and reactions to that behavior by others in the environment. The behavior scores were factor analyzed, using the complete sample of 180 children with six factors (play styles) resulting. Children who were high and low on each factor were examined to see if play style influenced the type of social reaction received. Children who preferred to work at tasks quietly received positive teacher feedback, but there was no change in peer interaction; children who engaged in active motor play received positive peer feedback, but negative teacher reactions. Children who were passive received less peer reaction and played alone significantly more than other children. Sex differences in reactions did not appear except when the child was engaged in male- and female-typical behaviors when examining scores on one factor only. When combinations of factors are examined (e.g., activity level and task performance), then different patterns of responses start to appear for boys and girls. The implications for differing patterns of social reactions to different play styles are discussed.Data analyses were supported by BRSG Grant RR07980 awarded by the Biomedical Research Support Grant Program, Division of Research Resources, National Institutes of Health. The final write-up was completed on a postdoctoral fellowship (Grant No. 1 T32 MH 16955-01) through the Oregon Social Learning Center.     

Sex-related patient and therapist effects on clinical judgment

The purpose of this investigation was to submit the claim of sex-related bias in clinical judgment to more thorough empirical testing than had been the case in previous research. Patient sex and stereotypic sex-role were factorially varied in a clinical protocol that was sent with related materials to 640 sex-stratified, randomly selected Members and Fellows of APA Division 29 (Psychotherapy). Approximately 30% (N=182) of those contacted returned usable data, including information about their own sex-role traditionalism and evaluation of the hypothetical patients' psychological well-being. Results confirmed the effectiveness of the stereotypic sex-role manipulation. However, no consistent effects were found for any of the four variables of interest considered in isolation or in combination, thereby refuting allegations of covert sex-related discrimination perpetrated under the aegis of psychological appraisal. Favorableness of clinical impressions was not mediated by therapists' self-reported attitudes toward the patients. The study's generally unexpected outcome was tentatively attributed to enhanced professional sensitization to the sociocultural barriers to full psychological functioning in women.This report is based on a master's thesis written by the first author under the sponsorship of the second and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the MA degree at Vanderbilt University, 1974. The research was supported in part by the Vanderbilt University Research Council. The contributions of Stephen Amira and Joseph M. Schwartz are gratefully acknowledged.     

Subgroups of developmental language impairment

Nineteen children with developmental language impairments were given tests which measured syntactic and phonological skills in both comprehension and production conditions, semantic ability, syllable sequencing, and digit span. The results of discriminant function analysis show that the children could be divided into two groups. Group 1, expressive, was characterized primarily by deficits in the production of syntax and phonology. Group 2, expressive-receptive, was more impaired on measures of phonological discrimination, digit span, and semantic ability in addition to showing global syntactic deficits. An auditory-perceptual basis for the language impairments was not supported.     

A cautionary note: Parents' socialization of boys and girls

Thirty-six families with one toddler child were observed for 7 hr in their own homes with both parents and the child present. The parents interacted less in the first two sessions than in the last five and were more negative and less positive when they did interact in the early sessions. There was also a sex of child by time interaction, with boys receiving many more negative interactions early in the observations. It was suggested that observation data should be checked for stability prior to interpretation and that care should be taken to collect enough data to ensure stability.Parts of this study were supported by a grant from the Office of Scientific and Scholarly Research, Graduate School, University of Oregon.     

Psychological Care Provided by the Church: Perceptions of Christian Church Members

Spirituality and religion are integral parts of a person's belief system and support network. Although there are many avenues a person can take when seeking mental health care, conservative Protestant clients have a tendency to seek assistance through their church. There is a paucity of literature about conservative Protestant church members’ perceptions of mental health care. The authors used phenomenology to understand participants’ perceptions of mental health care provided by the church. Themes found within participants’ stories included the importance of the relationship when seeking care, the use of knowledgeable practitioners, and the use of religious practices in counseling.     

Sex and Sex-Role Comparisons in the Expression of Anger

This study investigated the relationship of sex and sex-role identity with the expression of anger. In particular, a number of common assertions about women's experience and expression of anger were examined empirically. Female (242) and male (213) college students completed several questionnaires assessing sex-role identity and multiple dimensions of the subjective experience and expression of anger. Univariate analyses revealed consistent relationships between sex-role identity and anger proneness, outward expression of anger, modulation or control of anger expression, and suppression of anger. Significant sex difference, were not observed. Viewed unidimensionally, sex did not appear to be the determining factor in anger expression or the tendency to suppress anger.     

A Longitudinal Study of Religiosity,Spiritual Health Locus of Control,and Health Behaviors in a National Sample of African Americans

The present longitudinal study examined religious beliefs and behaviors, spiritual health locus of control (SHLOC), and selected health-related behaviors and outcomes in a national sample of 766 African American adults. Participants were interviewed by telephone three times over a 5-year period. Results indicated that stronger religious beliefs and religious behaviors were associated with greater changes in active SHLOC. There was some evidence of direct effects of religious beliefs and behaviors on changes in health behaviors. Religious behaviors were related to greater passive SHLOC over time across some health outcomes. Passive SHLOC was associated with some less desirable health outcomes over time.