BRIEF HIERARCHICAL ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL TREATMENT COMPONENTS WITH CHILDREN IN AN OUTPATIENT CLINIC

Seven parents conducted assessments in an outpatient clinic using a prescribed hierarchy of antecedent and consequence treatment components for their children's problem behavior. Brief assessment of potential treatment components was conducted to identify variables that controlled the children's appropriate behavior. Experimental control via a brief reversal was achieved for 6 of the 7 children, (1 child continued to behave appropriately following initial improvement in behavior). For these 6 children, improved behavior occurred with changes in treatment components. Our results extend previous studies of direct assessment procedures conducted in outpatient clinic settings.     

The psychotherapeutic evangelism of John Bradshaw

Since his 1984 PBS series, Bradshaw On: The Family,John Bradshaw has emerged as one of the most popular representatives of the recovery movement. This article explores the theological underpinnings of Bradshaw's message, and examines his significance for pastoral theology.     

Gender and computers. II. The interactive effects of knowledge and constancy on gender-stereotyped attitudes

A number of studies have failed to find that gender constancy (understanding that one's gender is permanent) predicts gender-typed attitudes and behavior. This study (run with a predominantly white sample) tests the hypothesis that gender constant children are motivated to master gender roles, but that how well they do so depends on their knowledge of gender stereotypes. We predicted that attitudes toward computer use (a stereotypically male activity) would be less positive only for 5–9-year-old gender constant girls who also had rich gender stereotypes. Predictions were confirmed, especially for girls whose constancy had recently increased. These data thus suggest that the clearest picture of gender role development emerges when both the unique and interactive effects of gender constancy and gender schema development are assessed. They also indicate that gender differences in computer attitudes can develop through self-socialization processes.This research was supported in part by research Grant No. R37 MH37215 and Research Scientist Development Award No. 00484 from the National Institute of Mental Health to the third author. The first two authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the James S. McDonnell Foundation. All authors would also like to thank Tom Alfieri, Faith Greulich, and Lisa Cyphers for their help at various stages of this project.     

A comparison of two psychological treatments for bulimia nervosa: Implications for models of maintenance

In an effort to elucidate the role of cognitive factors in the maintenance of bulimia nervosa, the efficacy of two psychological treatments was examined in a randomised control trial: cognitive behaviour therapy in the absence of explicit exposure instructions was compared with exposure and response prevention treatment in the absence of cognitive restructuring procedures. In the short term both treatments were successful at effecting substantial improvement in both the specific and the non-specific psychopathology of the disorder. However, at a one year follow up, whilst improvements were well maintained for those who had received the cognitive-behavioural treatment, virtually all of those who had responded to the purely behavioural treatment had relapsed. This provides some support for the cognitive model of the maintenance of bulimia nervosa. Nevertheless, the two treatment groups could not be distinguished on post-treatment measures of cognitive disturbance and neither was it the case that residual levels of cognitive disturbance, as assessed, predicted relapse. This may suggest that the level at which the necessary cognitive change takes place may not be accessible by conventional assessment procedures.     

The role of coping in the stress-strain relationship among senior police officers

In a large-scale study of senior police officers in Great Britain (Superintendent and Chief Superintendent ranks), the role of coping in the stress-strain relationship was explored. There was no indication of a direct impact of coping on physical well-being nor was there any evidence of a direct effect on job satisfaction, but coping was related to mental health. Coping also exhibited a direct relationship to subjectively perceived job stress. Moreover, coping moderated the relationship between job stress and job satisfaction, but a buffering influence was not observed on the job satisfaction-health linkages. Job satisfaction had a direct impact on both mental and physical ill-health (showing high satisfaction was associated with superior physical and psychological health). Likewise, there was a direct relationship between overall job stress and job satisfaction.     

The Past,Present, and Future of Student Affairs: A Professional Profile of Theodore K. Miller

Theodore K. Miller began his career in 1957 as the counselor for men at the University of Florida and then worked as a counseling psychologist at the State University of New York at Buffalo starting in 1962. He left there 5 years later to start a student personnel program at The University of Georgia. During his 30 years at Georgia, Miller established a nationally recognized graduate professional preparation program and became one of the most prominent figures in the field of college student development. This profile focuses on the professional influences in his life and on his role in developing quality assurance measures for counseling and human development programs and for student affairs functional areas.     

Changing Notions of Defense Within Psychoanalytic Theory

Psychoanalysis began with a focus on how the "intrapsychic" defense mechanisms of the individual helped to reduce and control conflict. More specifically, defenses were seen as helpful in managing the intensity of needs, desires, and affects that inevitably lead to conflict as the individual encounters the needs and desires of others around him. While the earliest theory of defenses focused more on maintaining internal equilibrium, contemporary theories of defense are seen as part of a set of relational and cognitive patterns that develop in the context of close relationships with important others. In the more contemporary psychodynamic approach to defense, many defenses are seen as protecting the self-esteem of an individual rather than axiomatically protecting an individual from becoming conscious of thoughts or ideas that would cause anxiety were they to be remembered or recognized. The shift to more object relational and interpersonal approaches for the understanding of defense has had major implications for clinical treatment, which are examined in this article.     

To what extent do interactive pictures promote recall?

In four experiments, a total of 352 subjects viewed word pairs alone or accompanied by pictures, after which they were given a cued-recall test. Although Exps. 1 and 2 showed that recall of brand names was similar with separate and with interactive pictures, it was argued that the latter provided a cue enabling subjects to combine the separate components mentally. In Exp. 3, recall of both low concrete nouns and brand names was enhanced with interactive pictures and the effect was replicated in Exp. 4 with subjects who were learning English. These results offer hope to advertisers who wish to use interactive pictures whose relationship to their names is indirect.     

Using group therapy to foster the psychosexual development of patients with eating disorders

When eating-disordered patients participate in long-term eating-dis-order groups, they move through phases of group development that parallel phases of psychosexual development. In the trust (oral) phase, members have an opportunity to experience a positive symbiosis, a suitable holding environment, and optimal frustration. In the control (anal) phase, members learn to identify and express anger constructively. In the intimacy (oedipal) phase, members learn to compete and be intimate. Individual and group movement is facilitated by the group leader being able to identify stages of group development and being able to utilize phase-related techniques.Many thanks to Anne Alonso, Ph.D., Robert Dies, Ph.D., and Geraldine Alpert, Ph.D., for their critiques of the first draft of this paper.