“What if It’s not Just an Item of Clothing?” – A Narrative Review and Synthesis of the White Coat in the Context of Aged Care

Although increasingly disputed, the white coat uniform is ubiquitous in geriatric care, which may reflect a phenomenon called medicalisation of ageing. This narrative review is the first attempt at integrating several theoretical approaches, such as the “white coat effect” and “enclothed cognition”, in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the use of this clothing item. Based on extensive empirical evidence, we will examine the consequences of wearing a uniform, not only on patients (in this case, older patients) and healthcare professionals, but also on their relationship. The white coat has powerful symbolic functions for healthcare professionals and is still preferred by older adults. However, the negative repercussions of wearing a uniform require us to question its use, particularly in environments where older persons live, such as nursing homes.     

Effectiveness of online word of mouth on exposure to an Internet-delivered intervention

The use of online word of mouth (WOM) seems a promising strategy to motivate young people to visit Internet-delivered interventions. An Internet-delivered intervention aimed at changing implicit attitudes related to alcohol was used in two experiments to test effectiveness of e-mail invitations on a first visit to the intervention. The results of the first experiment (N = 196) showed that an invitation by e-mail from a friend was more effective to attract young adults (aged 18–24 years) to the intervention website than an invitation from an institution. A 2 × 2 design was used in the second experiment (N = 236) to test manipulations of argument strength and the use of peripheral cues in invitations. Results showed that weak arguments were more effective to attract young adults to the intervention website when an incentive was withheld. These results need to be taken into account when using online WOM as a strategy to improve exposure to Internet-delivered interventions.     

Book Reviews

K ing , P. and S teiner , R. (eds) The Freud-Klein Controversies, 1941-45
B rooke , R. Jung and Phenomenology
W hitmont , E. and P erera , S. B. Dreams: A Portal to the Source: A Guide to Dream Interpretation
S chaverien , J. The Revealing Image: Analytical Art Psychotherapy in Theory and Practice
W ilmer , H. (ed.) Creativity: Paradoxes and Reflections
S chwartz -S alant , N. and S tein , M. (eds). Liminality and Transitional Phenomena     

Book Reviews

S amuels , A. (Ed.) Psychopathology: Contemporary Jungian Perspectives.
S idoli , M ara . The Unfolding Self.
F abricius , J ohannes . Alchemy: The Medieval Alchemists and their Royal Art.
A ziz , R obert . C. G. Jung' Psychology of Religion and Synchronicity.     

DNA Testing for Family Reunification in Canada: Points to Consider

Countries have adopted different laws, policies, and practices that allow immigration officers to request in certain cases DNA tests to confirm biological relationships in the context of family reunification. In Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has adopted a policy of suggesting DNA testing only as a last resort in cases where no documentary evidence has been submitted or where the evidence provided is deemed unsatisfactory. However, in practice, there have been concerns on the increasing use of DNA tests in family reunification processes of nationals from certain regions including Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Moreover, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) presents a biological definition of family as a determinant of parenthood in the context of family reunification that is inconsistent with the psychosocial definition used in provincial family laws. Although there are cases that can justify the request for DNA tests, there are also significant social, legal, and ethical issues, including discrimination and unfair practices, raised by this increasing use of genetic information in immigration. This policy brief identifies points to consider for policymakers regarding the use of DNA testing in Canadian family reunification procedures. These include (1) the need to refine the policy of “using DNA testing as a last resort” and its implementation, (2) the need to modify the definition of “dependent child” under the IRPR to reflect the intrinsic reality of psychosocial family ties, and (3) the importance of conducting more research on the use of DNA testing in other immigration contexts.     

Book Reviews

K erenyi , K. and H illman , J. Oedipus Variations: Studies in Literature and Psychoanalysis
C hodorow , J. Dance Therapy and Depth Psychology: The Moving Imagination
L oomis , M. E. Dancing the Wheel of Psychological Types
G rinberg , L. The Goals of Psychoanalysis: Identification, Identity and Supervision