Family-Based Intervention with High-Risk Infants and Their Families

A model of family-based intervention for high-risk infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit and their families is presented. The theoretical underpinnings, principles, and nature of the intervention are described. The adaptation of the model from a clinical–research demonstration project to a clinical consultation service is highlighted, with particular emphasis on the practical application of the model. Domains of the intervention include infant behavior, family organization and functioning, caregiving environment, and home discharge/community resources. Three case illustrations are provided to demonstrate the breadth of the intervention and how it can be individualized based upon the presentation of the infant and family.     

Understanding Body Language

The article details the significance of nonverbal communication or body language for the counselor in interview situations. The article gives background material of the research done in the area of nonverbal communication and quotes extensively from the leaders in the field. The article includes illustrations of messages sent by arm and hand gestures, feet movements, eye movements, silence, posture, appearance, the use of time and space, and the grouping of individuals. The article also includes a discussion of kinesics, the study of body movements; proxemics, the study of the use of personal space; and culture as a guiding factor in body language.     

The role of the natural history museum in promoting word learning for young children

Although strong claims have been made about museums being ideal word learning environments, these are yet to be empirically supported. In the current study, 152 four- to five-year-olds children (81-M, 71-F) from minority backgrounds were taught six vocabulary items either in a museum, in their classroom with museum resources, or in their classroom with classroom resources. At test, children taught in their classroom with museum resources produced significantly more correct responses than children taught in the museum or in their classroom with classroom resources. Children were also significantly better at retaining the target vocabulary items than recalling them. These data demonstrate how context can impact word learning and point to the benefits of a collaborative relationship between schools and museums to support children's language development.     

A clinical interview for parents of high-risk infants: Concept and applications

The birth and hospitalization of a preterm infant are stressful and emotionally demanding experiences for parents. The Clinical Interview for Parents of High-Risk Infants (CLIP) is a semistruc tured clinical interview that may be used as a one-time assessment or as a cornerstone for ongoing psychosocial work with parents. The interview assesses early parental adaptation and alerts the clinician to areas of concern as identified by the parents. The interview enables parents to consolidate emotionally their experiences relative to the infant's high-risk status. The CLIP has utility both for planning psychosocial care in the intensive care nursery, and for discharge preparation. The rationale underlying the design of the CLIP is presented, the interview is described, and clinical applications are discussed.     

Determinants of maternal self-esteem in the neonatal period

The purpose of this study was to determine whether maternal perceptions of infant health and behavior made a unique contribution in understanding maternal self-esteem beyond what could be achieved from objective measures. The Perception of Infant Health (POIH) questionnaire and the Bates ICQ captured the perception of infant health and temperament. Standard medical variables including the Hobel Medical Risk Summary measured the objective aspect of infant health. The Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment (NBAS) measured objective infant behavior. The Maternal Self-Report Inventory measured self-esteem. Eighty mother-infant dyads, which included healthy, middle socioeconomic class mothers of both full-term, neurologically normal and preterm infants with a range of medical problems were studied. Negative maternal perceptions of infant health and behavior as well as poorer objective health status were associated with decreased maternal self-esteem. Perceptual variables of temperament and health made a unique contribution to maternal self-esteem scores. Regression analysis indicated fussy/difficult, POIH, and NBAS autonomic scores explained a significant amount of variance in maternal self-esteem.     

Authoritarian attitudes and the expression of aggression in Kuwaiti and U.S. students

In samples of undergraduates in Kuwait (ns=70 men, 70 women) and the U.S. (ns=37 men, 81 women), scores on the F Scale were positively correlated with scores on the Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire.     

Neurotransmitter-related personality traits and money attitudes: a study in neuroeconomics

In a sample of 82 undergraduates, the personality dimension of novelty seeking, which has been hypothesized to be influenced by levels of dopamine in the central nervous system, was associated with attitudes regarding money.     

Astrological signs and personality in Kuwaitis and Americans

Samples of Kuwaiti (N=460) and American (N=273) undergraduates responded to six personality questionnaires to assess optimism, pessimism, suicidal ideation, ego-grasping, death anxiety, general anxiety, and obssessive-compulsiveness. Each participant was assigned to the astrological sign associated with date of birth. One-way analyses of variance yielded nonsignificant F ratios for all the seven scales in both Kuwaiti and American samples, except for anxiety scores among Americans. It was concluded that there was little support for an association between astrological sun signs and scores on the present personality scales.     

British and American attitudes toward credit cards

American university students owned more than twice as many credit cards as British university students. However, scores on a credit card attitude scale predicted the number of cards owned by respondents in both countries.     

Sexual orientation and suicidal behavior

In a large sample of 4700 individuals who belong to a website for body modification, the 1759 bisexuals and the 228 homosexuals reported a greater incidence of prior suicidal ideation and attempts than did the 2647 heterosexuals, even after controls for sex and self-reported depression.