Validation of a Standardized Multiple‐Choice Multicultural Competence Test: Implications for Training,Assessment, and Practice

The Multicultural Counseling and Psychotherapy Test (MCPT), a measure of multicultural counseling competence (MCC), was validated in 2 phases. In Phase 1, the authors administered 451 test items derived from multicultural guidelines in counseling and psychology to 32 multicultural experts and 30 nonexperts. In Phase 2, the authors administered the top 50 discriminative items to licensed mental health professionals (N = 227) and compared MCPT scores to external indicators of MCC. Evidence was found for the construct validity and internal consistency reliability of the MCPT. El Test de Consejería Multicultural y Psicoterapia (MCPT, por sus siglas en inglés), una medida de la competencia en consejería multicultural (MCC, por sus siglas en inglés) fue validado en dos fases. En la Fase 1, los autores administraron 451 elementos del test derivados de las pautas multiculturales en consejería y psicología a 32 expertos multiculturales y 30 no expertos. En la Fase 2, los autores administraron los 50 elementos más discriminativos a profesionales licenciados de la salud mental (N = 227) y compararon los puntajes del MCPT con indicadores externos de MCC. Se hallaron evidencias de la validez del constructo y la fiabilidad de la consistencia interna del MCPT.     

Perceptions of Credibility for a Memory Report of a Single Versus Repeated Event

Summary: When a person experiences an event that has multiple similar instances (i.e., a repeated event), memories for details that change across instances are challenging to recall. We expected that third parties would perceive memory reports of instances of repeated events as less credible than they would unique (i.e., single) events. Undergraduates participated in a single or repeated event, during which critical details were presented. Participants were asked to recall the session 2 days later, and memory reports were video recorded. New participants then viewed one video and evaluated the credibility of the speaker's memory report. Overall, repeated‐event reports were seen as less credible than were single‐event reports, despite the reports being equally accurate. Although credibility research in the context of repeated events has focused exclusively on child populations, a range of applications exists for adults (e.g., criminal and industrial eyewitnesses, and asylum seekers); we discussed our findings in these areas.Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Media Coverage of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing

Media coverage of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) genetic testing shapes public perception of such testing. The purpose of this study was to determine and assess the themes presented by U.S. news media regarding DTC genetic testing. We performed a Lexis-Nexis search with the keywords “Direct-to-Consumer” and “genetic test” for news stories published from 2006–2009. The sample was coded on themes of genetic determinism, privacy, discrimination, validity, regulation, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), utility, and cost. Ninety-two news stories were included. Stories displayed moderate genetic determinism and were neutral about validity and utility. Stories indicated that insurance and employers were the most likely sources of discrimination, yet identified the physicians and DTC companies as groups most likely to violate privacy. Stories claimed lack of regulation would harm consumers, but most post-GINA stories did not discuss the law. The costs of tests were frequently included. The results of this study show a broad range of views toward DTC genetic testing and its potential impacts. The genetics community should be aware that the public has been exposed to multiple views of DTC genetic testing when discussing these tests.     

Self‐Compassion,Self‐Esteem,and Well‐Being

This article focuses on the construct of self‐compassion and how it differs from self‐esteem. First, it discusses the fact that while self‐esteem is related to psychological well‐being, the pursuit of high self‐esteem can be problematic. Next it presents another way to feel good about oneself: self‐compassion. Self‐compassion entails treating oneself with kindness, recognizing one’s shared humanity, and being mindful when considering negative aspects of oneself. Finally, this article suggests that self‐compassion may offer similar mental health benefits as self‐esteem, but with fewer downsides. Research is presented which shows that self‐compassion provides greater emotional resilience and stability than self‐esteem, but involves less self‐evaluation, ego‐defensiveness, and self‐enhancement than self‐esteem. Whereas self‐esteem entails evaluating oneself positively and often involves the need to be special and above average, self‐compassion does not entail self‐evaluation or comparisons with others. Rather, it is a kind, connected, and clear‐sighted way of relating to ourselves even in instances of failure, perceived inadequacy, and imperfection.     

Effects of reinforcement and response-cost history on instructional control

The present study compared the effects of reinforcement or punishment versus no additional consequences for instruction following on instructional control and subsequent rule-governed insensitivity. In two experiments, adult participants were presented with repeated choices between a short progressive-time schedule and either a fixed time-schedule or a longer progressive-time schedule. In Experiment 1, three groups were given an initially accurate instruction relative to the direct contingency. A control group experienced no additional consequences for compliance with instructions, whereas compliance resulted in additional points for a second group, and noncompliance led to the subtraction of points for a third group. In a subsequent phase, instructions became inaccurate and there were no additional consequences for compliance or noncompliance for any group. Consistent with previous results, rule-governed insensitivity was observed in all participants. Experiment 2 employed the same procedure, except instructions were inaccurate throughout all sessions, and compliance in the subsequent phase resulted in diminishing points per session. Reinforcement for following instructions increased instructional control and subsequent rule-governed insensitivity. This increase was maintained even after the termination of additional consequences, a result that supports theoretical suggestions that a history of reinforcement for complying with instructions and rules is an important factor in rule-governed insensitivity.     

Wellness,Emotion Regulation,and Relapse During Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Using a cross-sectional study design, the authors investigated the impact of wellness and emotion regulation on relapse in 179 individuals currently enrolled in substance use disorder treatment. An integration of the indivisible self model of wellness (Myers & Sweeney, 2004) and the covert antecedents model of relapse (Marlatt, 1985) informed the study hypothesis that emotion regulation mediates the wellness-relapse relationship. Binomial logistic regressions revealed that Creative Self wellness (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09, p = .002), reappraisal (OR = 1.08, p = .008), difficulties in emotion regulation (OR = 1.03, p = .007), and Physical Self wellness (OR = 0.95, p < .001) were associated with the odds of relapse on any given day during treatment. Sobel tests indicated 2 occurrences of full mediation, including that difficulties in emotion regulation mediated the relationship between Coping Self wellness and relapse (OR = 0.97, p = .015).