On the Relationship Between Peak Force and Peak Force Variability in Isometric Tasks

An experiment is reported documenting the relationship between peak force and peak force variability with a fixed criterion time to peak force for an isometric task requiring activation of the elbow flexors. The results show that maximum peak force increases with increments in time to peak force and that peak force variability increases with increments of peak force in an exponential type function. Furthermore, despite the presence of peak force and time to peak force feedback, subjects systematically shifted time to peak force as a function of the percentage of peak force being produced. This temporal modulation changes the percentage of peak force represented by any given peak force criterion. When peak force is made proportional to the degree of departure from the criterion time to peak force, a linear relationship is found between peak force and peak force variability. These findings suggest that time to peak force and rate of force production are parameters that influence veridical estimates of the force variability function.     

The association between depressive symptoms and smoking in pregnant adolescents

There have been no studies that have specifically examined the relationship between smoking and depressive symptoms in Australian pregnant adolescents. Eighty one pregnant adolescents completed an adapted version of Lawson's (1994) Smoking Questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Smoking status (smokers vs. non-smokers) and depressive symptoms remained stable during pregnancy. However, comparisons of depressive symptoms across smoking categories revealed that pregnant adolescent smokers were more likely to be depressed than pregnant adolescent lifetime non-smokers, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy. There was a weak association between the number of cigarettes smoked and depressive symptoms, but only in the third trimester. Recommendations include further examination of the association between depression or depressive symptoms and smoking, and investigation of how change in smoking status during pregnancy may effect depression.     

Predictors of Progression and Regression in Exercise Adoption in Young Women1

An integrative model of readiness to exercise (Marcus, Eaton, Rossi, & Harlow, 1994) was tested. Measures of stage of exercise adoption and of the 2 motivation variables from the model plus 3 others were obtained at baseline and 6 months later from 238 young adult females. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effects of both state (baseline) and change measures of the variables on progressive and regressive movement among the stages of change. Progression was predicted by change in self‐efficacy (p= .018), change in perceived behavioral control (p= .007), and a baseline measure of desire to exercise (.041). Regression was predicted by change in self‐efficacy (p= .04). These findings provide only partial support for the integrative model.     

Group Psychotherapy Research Studies That Therapists Might Actually Read: My Top 10 List

Much like a bad marriage, the longstanding split between psychotherapy practitioner and researcher continues, each partner feeling unappreciated by and blaming of the other: Therapists are criticized for not reading research and, in turn, criticize researchers for their pursuit of studies that seem irrelevant to the clinical enterprise. In the present article, the author proposes that a shift in the design of psychotherapy research, away from pure outcome studies to models that focus on process, may serve to bridge the divide. Ten research designs exploring aspects of the process of group psychotherapy are illustrated from the recent literature, with the aim of furthering the dialogue between practitioner and researcher.     

Adoption Counselors' Perspectives of Counseling Postadoptive Families

This study was conducted to explore the mental health needs of families who adopted from the state welfare system. Using consensual qualitative research, the authors examined the perspectives of 8 clinical mental health counselors who provided counseling services to postadoptive families. Findings represented by 5 domains and supported by 15 categories include the counselors' perspective of (a) strength of the current program, (b) families in crisis, (c) parents' construction of their child's problem, (d) programmatic limitations, and (e) systemic limitations.     

Affection and Abuse: Technology Use in Adolescent Romantic Relationships

Communication technologies benefit romantic relationships in terms of connection, but can also bring potential harm. Positive relational outcomes of adolescent technology use (i.e., increased emotional connection) have been examined separately from negative outcomes (i.e., unwanted monitoring of whereabouts) in previous research. However, the current study utilized hierarchical multiple regression to explore whether variance in both positive and negative relational outcomes could be explained by time spent online. Results suggest that time spent online predicts both positive relationship quality and cyber dating abuse after controlling age and gender. Implications include a greater understanding of the intersection between technology and adolescent relationships.