Neuropsychological Consequences of Opiate Use

Approximately 3.7 million individuals have used heroin and other opiate substances in their lifetime. Despite increasing knowledge of the effects of heroin, it remains the most abused opiate and use among adults has recently increased. The empirical literature examining the neurocognitive effects of acute and chronic opioid use remains limited; however, findings to date suggest that the use of opiates has both acute and long-term effects on cognitive performance. Neuropsychological data indicate deficits in attention, concentration, recall, visuospatial skills and psychomotor speed with both acute and chronic opioid use. The long-term effects of opiate use appear to have the greatest impact on executive functions, including the ability to shift cognitive set and inhibit inappropriate response tendencies. Factors that contribute to addiction and recovery are also discussed, as it is difficult to disentangle the effects of opiate use on cognitive performance from other factors that may affect neurobehavioral measures.     

Motivational antecedent beliefs of endurance, strength, and flexibility activities

Research into the correlates of physical activity has focused almost exclusively on physical activity as an omnibus construct. Health Canada and the American College of Sports Medicine, however, advocate physical activity in terms of performing regular endurance, strength, and flexibility activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the absolute and relative contributions of behavioral, normative, and control beliefs associated with endurance, strength, and flexibility activities within a theory of planned behavior (TPB) structure. Participants were 185 undergraduates who completed measures of the TPB and a 2-week follow-up of endurance, strength, and flexibility behavior. Results using structural equation modeling and Hotelling's t-tests for dependent correlations identified different motivational antecedents for each type of physical activity (p < .05). Endurance behavior was influenced exclusively by behavioral beliefs, flexibility behavior was influenced by normative and control beliefs, and strength behavior was influenced by key behavioral, normative, and control beliefs. The different motivational profiles for each physical activity allude to the importance of tailoring interventions by physical activity type.     

Reflections on Ethics in Journal Publications

This paper addresses a number of ethical issues that arise in the context of journal publishing. These include both issues for the researcher and issues for the editors and editorial board members of journals.     

Screening and assessment of psychosocial dysfunction in a private pediatric practice

Fifty-one mother-infant pairs were screened at birth and at one month of age using the Neonatal Perception Inventories (NPI). This instrument identified 20 infants who were judged at high risk for the development of subsequent emotional disorder. Evaluation of the study group at 14–17 months of age, using the Infant Mental Health Profile, documented impairment in the areas of attachment, confidence and coping in 80–95% of those infants with high risk NPI ratings. The use of the NPI as a screening instrument in a primary care private pediatric setting is discussed.     

Eponymy,obscurity, Twitmyer,and Pavlov

The discovery of the conditioned reflex is generally credited to Ivan P. Pavlov. So closely is Pavlov associated with this phenomenon that it is commonly referred to as the Pavlovian conditioned reflex. Edwin B. Twitmyer independently discovered the conditioned reflex at approximately the same time and reported the finding in 1904 at the meeting of the American Psychological Association. Unlike Pavlov's, Twitmyer's data had little impact on psychology. There have been various hypotheses to explain the failure of the field to recognize Twitmyer's discovery. These explanations are criticized and modified to reflect an emphasis on Twitmyer's and Pavlov's respective social and intellectual contexts.     

Mothers of high-risk infants: Is their initial use of early intervention a predictor of later coping?

In a program for high-risk and handicapped infants that began at hospital discharge, mothers' initial use of intervention visits was investigated as a predictor of maternal functioning 9 months later. Measures included ventilation and advice seeking in the first month and 9-month maternal mood, coping, HOME scores, and use of intervention. Early ventilation and advice seeking were related significantly to mothers' self-reported confusion, but not to staff ratings of maternal mood. No significant relationships were found between early use of intervention and later coping, HOME scores, or use of intervention. Results are discussed in terms of mothers' generally good adaptation and the need for caution in drawing conclusions from their behavior soon after the birth of a high-risk or handicapped child.     

Juveniles' understanding of trial-related information: are they competent defendants?

There exists a national trend lowering the age to transfer children facing serious charges to adult court for trial. This study examined juvenile offenders' understanding of factual information about trials. Juveniles ages 11 through 16 experiencing their first institutional placement were administered a competence to stand trial screening measure, shown an educational videotape, and readmin- istered the measure. Findings suggest that a majority do not have sufficient understanding for meaningful participation in their trials. Special care appears warranted with juveniles ages 13 and under, and juveniles with low average or below average IQ scores. Further, substantial training may be necessary for some juvenile offenders. ©1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.