Neurofibromatosis Type 1 in Genetic Counseling Practice: Recommendations of the National Society of Genetic Counselors

The objective of this document is to provide recommendations for the genetic counseling of patients and families undergoing evaluation for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) or who have received a diagnosis of NF1. These recommendations are the opinions of a multi-center working group of genetic counselors with expertise in the care of individuals with NF1. These recommendations are based on the committee’s clinical experiences, a review of pertinent English language medical articles, and reports of expert committees. These recommendations are not intended to dictate an exclusive course of management, nor does the use of such recommendations guarantee a particular outcome. These recommendations do not displace a health care provider’s professional judgment based on the clinical circumstances of an individual patient. Both Heather B. Radtke and Courtney D. Sebold contributed equally to this document.     

Treatment acceptability among mexican american parents

There is a void in the literature with regard to Hispanic parents' views about common interventions for children with behavior problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the treatment acceptability of child management techniques in a Mexican American sample. Parents' acculturation was also examined to determine if it would account for differences in treatment acceptability. Mexican American parents found response cost, a punishment-based technique, more acceptable than positive reinforcement-based techniques (e.g., differential attention). Results suggest that Mexican American parents' acculturation has little impact on acceptability of child management interventions. No association was found between mothers' acculturation and treatment acceptability. However, more acculturated Mexican American fathers viewed token economy as more acceptable than less acculturated fathers. Results are discussed in the context of clinical work and research with Mexican Americans.     

Countertransference as active imagination: imaginative experiences of the analyst

Active imagination is at the heart of Jung's elucidation of depth psychology. Yet, in the discourse of present day analytical psychology theory it is not always given the serious attention accorded to some other Jungian concepts. Active imagination emerges spontaneously within the 'third' area--the imaginal or dynamic field--in-between patient and analyst. It is commonly regarded as the patient's experience but I am proposing that, looked upon as the analyst's experience as well, active imagination offers a distinctly Jungian way of understanding some forms of countertransference. I am describing what I think many present-day analytical psychologists already do in their clinical practice but, as far as I know, it has not been theorized in quite this way before. The intention is to exploit the unique contribution of our Jungian heritage by reframing certain profoundly symbolic countertransference-generated imagery as active imagination. In this article these are differentiated from other less complex forms of imaginative countertransference through examples from clinical practice. The point is that such countertransference experiences may activate the symbolic function in the analyst and thus contribute to the mediation of emergent consciousness in the analysand.     

Association Between Hypnotizability,Perceived Self‐Efficacy,and Provider Contact in a Healthy College Student Sample: An Analogue Adherence Study1

This study examines the relationship between hypnotizability, perceived self‐efficacy, provider contact, and participants' ability to complete an analogue task modeled after HIV medication schedules. Participants (n=74) completed the Hypnotic Induction Profile, received instructions designed to manipulate their perceptions of self‐efficacy, and assigned to provider contact conditions (high vs. low). Participants were given jellybeans, a schedule for consuming them, and report logs. A main effect for susceptibility was found, such that participants rated high in susceptibility were more successful in following the schedule than those low in susceptibility. This is consistent with previous research that found initial positive responses to therapeutic interventions among highly hypnotizable psychiatric patients. Suggestions for modifying adherence interventions depending on level of hypnotizability.     

Maternal Directiveness in Childhood Survivors of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Parental intrusiveness is associated with internalizing problems in healthy children. Given the unique demands that childhood cancer places on parents, it is important to determine whether intrusiveness operates differently in survivors of childhood cancer. The current study tested whether cancer survivorship moderates the relation between maternal directiveness—one aspect of intrusiveness—and children’s internalizing problems. Survivors (7–12 years old) of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (n = 25) and their mothers, and healthy controls (n = 22) and their mothers engaged in parent–child interactions. Mothers completed a measure of children’s psychosocial adjustment, and observations of 10-min parent–child interactions were obtained. Cancer survivorship moderated the relation between directiveness and children’s withdrawn/depressed symptoms. Maternal directiveness was associated with increased withdrawn/depressed symptoms for children in the control group. This association was not significant for survivors of ALL. Findings suggest that childhood cancer may alter the context in which children experience maternal directiveness.     

Examining the Intensity and Frequency of Experience of Discrete Positive Emotions

Research into positive emotions has grown significantly over the last decade. This has focused typically on aggregate positive emotions, despite increasing evidence for differential outcomes from discrete positive emotions. We examined the intensity and frequency of experience of 50 discrete positive emotions in a sample of 500 participants. Results showed that the most frequently experienced positive emotions were Interested, Curious, Friendly, Amused and Positive. The most intensely experienced positive emotions were Happy, Optimistic, Friendly, Interested and Determined. Women scored higher than men on the frequency of experience of 12 positive emotions; men scored higher for Ecstatic only. Women scored higher than men on the intensity of experience of 6 positive emotions, whereas men scored higher on the intensity of experience of three positive emotions. Analyses with age showed findings broadly consistent with the U-curve of life satisfaction across the life span. The discussion focuses on how these data can inform and support future positive emotions research, and the importance of considering discrete positive emotions.     

Low-Income Parents’ Socialization of Their Preschoolers’ Early Reading and Math Skills

Children from low-income and Black and Latino families are often at risk for reading and math difficulties. We examined whether there were differences in Black and Latino Head Start parents' beliefs about reading and math socialization, frequency of children's engagement in reading and math, and children's reading and math skills. There were differences in parents' socialization beliefs, children's reading and math activities, and associations with children's reading and math outcomes. Although reading/math engagement was more limited than what is reported among middle-income families, findings show the importance of parental beliefs and practices for children's reading and math outcomes.