Dating Violence Victimization and Unprotected Sex Acts Among Adolescents in Mental Health Treatment

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between dating violence victimization and unprotected sex acts among youth in mental health treatment. Sexually-active adolescents (n?=?261; ages 13–18) enrolled in mental health treatment completed an audio-assisted computerized self-interview (ACASI) to assess recent dating violence victimization, unprotected sex acts, depression symptoms, and recent alcohol use. Path analysis revealed that dating violence victimization was related to unprotected sex acts both directly and indirectly via its association with depression and condom use self-efficacy. These findings suggest that in order to reduce HIV-related risk behaviors among dating violence victims, treatment providers should consider depressive symptomatology and associated affect around sexual situations.     

Preliminary efficacy of a computer-based HIV intervention for African-American women

This study evaluated the preliminary efficacy of a computer-based HIV intervention to enhance HIV-protective sexual behaviours, based on a randomised controlled trial among 135 African-American women, 21-29 years of age, seeking services at Planned Parenthood in Atlanta, GA. Participants were randomised either to a control session two, 60-minute computer-based HIV intervention sessions administered on a laptop computer that each concluded with a 15-minute small group session or to a control session of general health information including discussion on HIV prevention. Relative to controls, participants in the computer-based HIV intervention were more knowledgeable about HIV/STD prevention and reported higher scores on the measure of condom use self-efficacy at 3 months post-intervention; they also reported a higher percentage of condom-protected sex and were more likely to use condoms consistently for vaginal sex (odds ratio, OR = 5.9; p < 0.039) and were more likely to use condoms consistently for oral sex (OR = 13.83; p < 0.037). This relatively brief intervention provides preliminary support that an evidence-based group-based HIV prevention intervention for young African-American women can be adapted to a computer-based HIV intervention.     

Alternative measures of cognitive complexity as predictors of communication performance

Two studies were conducted to compare the predictive validity of the two of the most popular measures of cognitive complexity: Bieri et al.'s (1966) grid-based measure (elicited and provided versions) and Crockett's (1965) Role Category Questionnaire (RCQ). Two other grid-based measures of construct system quality also were included. Criterion measures included indices of the accommodative, person-centered quality of communication behavior and social reasoning in a variety of contexts.

Results of both studies consistently show Crockett's measure to be a significant predictor of all criterion measures. Bieri et al.'s measures were generally unrelated, although the elicited construct version performed best as a predictor. The two measures of complexity were essentially unrelated in both studies. Implications of the findings for future use of the RCQ and grid-based measures of complexity are discussed. For those interested in the relation of constructs and communication behavior, the RCQ is recommended.     

Personality characteristics that are valued in teams: Not always “more is better”?

This study investigates the relationships between personality traits and contributions to teamwork that are often assumed to be linear. We use a theory‐driven approach to propose that extraversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness have inverted U‐shaped relationships with contributions to teamwork. In a sample of 220 participants asked to perform a creative task in teams, we found that extraversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness were curvilinearly associated with peer‐rated contributions to teamwork in such a way that the associations were positive, with a decreasing slope, up to a peak, and then they became negative as personality scores further increased. We replicated the results concerning the non‐linear association between extraversion, conscientiousness and peer‐rated contributions to teamwork in a sample of 314 participants engaged in a collaborative learning exercise. Our results support recent claims and empirical evidence that explorations of personality–work‐related behaviours relationships should move beyond the linearity assumptions. We conclude by discussing the implications of our research for personnel selection.     

Evaluation of counselling in primary care: How can research be made more useful for practitioners?

The paper presents a literature review of research on counselling in general practice critiqued from the perspective of the Practice Counsellor. It is noted that existing studies all focus primarily on outcome of psychological interventions in comparison to routine GP care. The contributions and limitations of these studies are discussed, and the methodological difficulties of conducting controlled trials in this context are explored. It is proposed that future research on counselling in primary care needs to draw on the paradigm shift in psychotherapy and a range of alternative research methodologies which will be more likely to produce research of relevance to Practice Counsellors.     

Cognitive-behavioral treatment with and without response prevention for Bulimia

We compared cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) with and without exposure and response prevention (ERP) in the treatment of eating disorder patients who both binged and purged, and reported abnormal attitudes concerning body weight and shape. Both treatments produced significant and comparable reductions in binge-eating and purging, eating patterns, and attitudes about weight and shape at posttreatment. Treatment effects were generalized to improvements in different measures of general psychopathology, and were maintained over follow-ups of 3 and 12 months. The findings are consistent with prior research showing that CBT is an effective treatment for patients with the core features of bulimia nervosa. Furthermore, the data suggest that the addition of in-session exposure and response prevention does not enhance the effectiveness of the basic CBT program.