A Humanistic and Experiential Approach to Personal Development

A community junior college made humanistic concepts and experiential methods the bases for a personal development course which was staffed by professional counselors. The course was designed to permit flexibility in content and class activities which were directed toward the personal growth and intellectual development of individual students, each with unique needs. Small, unstructured discussion groups and individual papers and projects were deliberately placed outside the grading context to encourage active student involvement. The experimental course was evaluated in regard to such questions as the following: Can humanistic and value-oriented course content stimulate intellectual development and personal growth on the part of junior college students? Are didactic and experiential methods compatible in a classroom setting? Can counselors teach and maintain effectiveness as student personnel workers?     

An Investigation of the Effects of Protégé Gender on Responses to Mentoring

Review of the literature on mentoring at work reveals a paucity of studies investigating gender differences in responses to mentoring. Relations of mentoring status and protégé gender to organizational commitment, job satisfaction, career progress expectations, perceived employment alternatives, role conflict, and role ambiguity are reported for a sample of 254 managers. Results indicate that having a mentor may be associated with a more positive job experience and the perception of more employment alternatives elsewhere. Implications for future research are discussed.     

Scientific Meetings

WOMEN AND DESIRE: THE KAREN HORNEY LECTURE ON FEMININE PSYCHOLOGY Presenters: Velleda C. Ceccoli, Ph.D. and Michelle Price, C.S.W. Discussant: Arlene Kramer Richards, Ed.D. Date: October 21, 1999     

An Examination of the Glover Numbing Scale: Expanding the Content Validity of Posttraumatic Numbing

Quantification of posttraumatic numbing (PTN) has largely been limited to the assessment of a small number of items taken directly from the DSM. The current study takes steps to expand the content validity of PTN through examination of the Glover Numbing Scale (GNS), one of the few available measures specific to PTN. Specifically, the factor structure of the GNS and its convergence with DSM-based indices of PTN were examined in a sample of motor vehicle accident survivors (MVA; N = 288). Whereas the 5-factor structure originally proposed by Glover et al. Anxiety 1:70–79 (1994) evidenced a poor fit to the sample data, exploratory analysis suggested a 1-factor structure underlying data collected from the sample. Furthermore, GNS scores derived from this solution evidenced a strong convergent relationship with DSM-based PTN. These data suggest that alternative indicators contained within the GNS may be used to expand current conceptualizations of PTN.

Sexual dimorphism in stature (SDS), jealousy and mate retention

Previous research has investigated the manner in which absolute height impacts on jealousy and mate retention. Although relative height is also important, little information exists about the potential influence of sexual dimorphism in stature (SDS) within established relationships. The current study investigated the relationship between SDS and the satisfaction, jealousy and mate retention behaviors reported by men and women. Heterosexual men (n = 98) and women (n = 102) completed a questionnaire. Men in high SDS relationships reported the lowest levels of cognitive and behavioral jealousy, although the impact of SDS on relationship satisfaction was less clear. SDS was not associated with the overall use of mate retention strategies; SDS did however affect the use of three specific strategies (vigilance, monopolization of time, love and care). SDS did not affect women's relationship satisfaction, jealousy (cognitive, behavioral, or emotional) or the use of mate retention strategies (with the exception of resource display).     

Family‐Based HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk Reduction for Drug‐Involved Young Offenders: 42‐Month Outcomes

This study tested a family‐based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention approach integrated within an empirically supported treatment for drug‐involved young offenders, Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT). A randomized, controlled, two‐site community‐based trial was conducted with 154 youth and their parents. Drug‐involved adolescents were recruited in detention, randomly assigned to either MDFT or Enhanced Services as Usual (ESAU), and assessed at intake, 3, 6, 9, 18, 24, 36, and 42‐month follow‐ups. Youth in both conditions received structured HIV/STI prevention in detention and those in MDFT also received family‐based HIV/STI prevention as part of ongoing treatment following detention release. Youth in both conditions and sites significantly reduced rates of unprotected sex acts and STI incidence from intake to 9 months. They remained below baseline levels of STI incidence (10%) over the 42‐month follow‐up period. At Site A, adolescents who were sexually active at intake and received MDFT showed greater reduction in overall frequency of sexual acts and number of unprotected sexual acts than youth in ESAU between intake and 9‐month follow‐ups. These intervention differences were evident through the 42‐month follow‐up. Intervention effects were not found for STI incidence or unprotected sex acts at Site B. Intensive group‐based and family intervention in detention and following release may reduce sexual risk among substance‐involved young offenders, and a family‐based approach may enhance effects among those at highest risk. Site differences in intervention effects, study limitations, clinical implications, and future research directions are discussed.     

Indigenous Healing Practices and Asian Immigrant Women

ABSTRACT

The current article highlights the importance of indigenous psychology for Asian immigrant women. A brief overview is provided about Asian American immigration and the importance of understanding women’s experiences with the contextual lens of gender, ethnicity, and race. Key values relevant to help-seeking and service utilization are also presented. Complementary alternative approaches to Western-based mental health treatment are discussed as ways in which feminist and multicultural treatment approaches can be integrated. Given the inherent diversity of Asians and Asian Americans, which includes over 60 ethnic subgroups, the article is not meant to provide an exhaustive list of available native practices nor to reflect the experiences of Asians as a homogenous group. Instead, the goal of this article is to provide readers with an understanding of how culturally based healing practices and concepts are needed to complement and contribute to our extant understanding of help-seeking. We conclude by highlighting the ways in which Western-based healthcare would benefit by integrating indigenous practices with gender and ethnic/racial cultural perspectives.