The national institutes of health attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder consensus statement: implications for practitioners and scientists

Although the concept of pharmacotherapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was first introduced more than 60 years ago, treatment of this disorder remains more controversial than ever. It is hoped, however, that the recent Consensus Development Conference (CDC) Statement on the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD will not only help answer some of the questions surrounding management of this disorder, but also lend needed scientific weight to debate in this area. While more research in ADHD is needed, the CDC participants pointed to a solid body of evidence showing that careful medication management can result in noticeable improvement in several measures, with little risk of adverse events.     

Sexual addiction and compulsion: recognition, treatment, and recovery

The management of patients with compulsive sexual behavior requires an understanding of the profile of the sexually compulsive or addicted patient. This article summarizes patient characteristics and their implications for treatment. Data from a study of the recovery of 957 patients who had problematic, sexually excessive behavior are presented. Spanning 5 years, the study shows six distinct stages patients experienced and the clinical activities that were most useful to them. A trajectory of a typical diagnosis and treatment path is provided, as well as important resources for physicians and patients.     

Computerization and adaptive administration of the NEO PI-R

This study asks, how well does an item response theory (IRT) based computerized adaptive NEO PI-R work? To explore this question, real-data simulations (N = 1,059) were used to evaluate a maximum information item selection computerized adaptive test (CAT) algorithm. Findings indicated satisfactory recovery of full-scale facet scores with the administration of around four items per facet scale. Thus, the NEO PI-R could be reduced in half with little loss in precision by CAT administration. However, results also indicated that the CAT algorithm was not necessary. We found that for many scales, administering the "best" four items per facet scale would have produced similar results. In the conclusion, we discuss the future of computerized personality assessment and describe the role IRT methods might play in such assessments.     

Frontal-Lobe Involvement in Spatial Memory: Evidence from PET,fMRI, and Lesion Studies

Many studies have identified the prefrontal cortex as the brain area that is critical for spatial memory, both in humans and in other primates. Other studies, however, have failed to establish this relation. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to review the literature regarding the role of the human prefrontal lobe in spatial memory. This was done by examining the evidence obtained from neuropsychological patients and from studies using brain-imaging techniques (PET and fMRI). Evidence supporting the notion that the prefrontal cortex is extensively involved in spatial working memory was found. The majority of these studies, however, suggests that frontal-lobe involvement is not related to the type of material that is being processed (e.g., spatial vs. nonspatial), but to process-specific functions, such as encoding and retrieval. Theoretically, these functions could be linked to the central executive within Baddeley's working-memory model, or to recent theories that emphasize the various processes that play a role in working memory. Also, methodological issues were discussed. Further research is needed to enhance our understanding of the precise interaction of domain-specific and general processes.     

Development and validation of the Self-Identity Inventory (SII): a multicultural identity development instrument

The Self-Identity Inventory (SII) was developed using the Optimal Theory Applied to Identity Development (OTAID) model. A sample of 325 culturally diverse respondents completed the SII, the Tolerance Scale from the California Psychological Inventory, the Belief Systems Analysis Scale, and the Social Desirability and Infrequency Scales. Through confirmatory factor analysis, goodness-of-fit, and social desirability/item infrequency measures, SII items were analyzed, resulting in a 6-scale, 71-item inventory. Internal consistency for the scales ranged from .72 to .90. Test-retest reliability ranged from .72 to .92. Correlations with external construct validity measures supported predictions. Interscale correlations and other statistical tests primarily supported the OTAID model. Implications for therapy and future research are suggested.