Identifying Effective Components of Child Maltreatment Interventions: A Meta-analysis

There is a lack of knowledge about specific components that make interventions effective in preventing or reducing child maltreatment. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to increase this knowledge by summarizing findings on effects of interventions for child maltreatment and by examining potential moderators of this effect, such as intervention components and study characteristics. Identifying effective components is essential for developing or improving child maltreatment interventions. A literature search yielded 121 independent studies (N = 39,044) examining the effects of interventions for preventing or reducing child maltreatment. From these studies, 352 effect sizes were extracted. The overall effect size was significant and small in magnitude for both preventive interventions (d = 0.26, p < .001) and curative interventions (d = 0.36, p < .001). Cognitive behavioral therapy, home visitation, parent training, family-based/multisystemic, substance abuse, and combined interventions were effective in preventing and/or reducing child maltreatment. For preventive interventions, larger effect sizes were found for short-term interventions (0–6 months), interventions focusing on increasing self-confidence of parents, and interventions delivered by professionals only. Further, effect sizes of preventive interventions increased as follow-up duration increased, which may indicate a sleeper effect of preventive interventions. For curative interventions, larger effect sizes were found for interventions focusing on improving parenting skills and interventions providing social and/or emotional support. Interventions can be effective in preventing or reducing child maltreatment. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Selection or Training? A Two-Fold Test of the Validity of Job-Analytic Ratings of Trainability

Decisions to use selection devices or training are typically based on subject matter expert (SME) judgments concerning the trainability of job components, including tasks and knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs). The studies reported here examined the validity of SME trainability judgments from two perspectives. We found that (1) different SME groups' judgments related differently to actual learning changes in KSAOs covered in a training program and (2) sources of variability thought to be unrelated to the job influenced trainability ratings. Implications for the selection of SMEs in job analysis applications intended to determine the trainability of various job components are outlined.     

The Effect of Training on Multicultural Counseling Competencies: An Exploratory Study Over a Ten‐Year Period

The impact of integrated multicultural internship training on multicultural counseling competencies was evaluated. Multicultural Counseling Awareness Scale (MCAS:B; J. G. Ponterotto, C. M. Sanchez, & D. M. Magids, 1991) scores were obtained at the beginning and end of internship. Knowledge/Skills scores significantly increased at the end of training. Implications for training, measurement, and research with multicultural counseling competencies are discussed. El impacto de integrar las competencias de consejería multicultural en el entrenamiento de internados de psicología, fué evaluado. Los resultados de internos en la Escala de Consciencia de Consejería Multicultural (MCAS:B; J. G. Ponterotto, C. M. Sanchez, & D. M. Magids, 1991) fueron obtenidos al principio y al final del entrenamiento. Al fin del entrenamiento los resultados de las technica/conocimientos aumentaron significamente. Consideraciones para el entrenamiento, la medición e investigación de las competencias de consejería multicultural son discutidas.     

Grounds and limits: Reichenbach and foundationalist epistemology

From 1929 onwards, C. I. Lewis defended the foundationalist claim that judgements of the form ‘x is probable’ only make sense if one assumes there to be a ground y that is certain (where x and y may be beliefs, propositions, or events). Without this assumption, Lewis argues, the probability of x could not be anything other than zero. Hans Reichenbach repeatedly contested Lewis’s idea, calling it “a remnant of rationalism”. The last move in this debate was a challenge by Lewis, defying Reichenbach to produce a regress of probability values that yields a number other than zero. Reichenbach never took up the challenge, but we will meet it on his behalf, as it were. By presenting a series converging to a limit, we demonstrate that x can have a definite and computable probability, even if its justification consists of an infinite number of steps. Next we show the invalidity of a recent riposte of foundationalists that this limit of the series can be the ground of justification. Finally we discuss the question where justification can come from if not from a ground.     

An evaluation and comparison of time-out procedures with and without release contingencies

A common recommendation for implementing time‐out procedures is to include a release contingency such that the individual is not allowed to leave time‐out until no problem behavior has occurred for a specific amount of time (e.g, 30 s). We compared a fixed‐duration time‐out procedure to a release contingency time‐out procedure with 4 young children (3‐ and 4‐year‐olds) using a reversal and multielement design. Results demonstrated that both time‐out procedures were effective at reducing problem behavior outside time‐out, problem behavior occurred in time‐out during both procedures, and problem behavior in time‐out was not predictive of problem behavior outside time‐out.     

THE INFLUENCE OF ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES ON THE OCCURRENCE OF BIZARRE SPEECH IN INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA

We conducted a series of assessments to determine the differential effects of common antecedents and consequences that can influence the occurrence of bizarre speech in three women with moderate to severe dementia. First, a traditional functional analysis was conducted to assess the function of bizarre speech. After results revealed differentially higher levels of bizarre speech during control sessions, an antecedent analysis was conducted. During this second assessment, all consequences were held constant, and only the antecedents (i.e., open‐ended questions, yes/no questions, and comments) were altered. Bizarre speech was differentially higher when open‐ended questions were presented, replicating previous studies. The final assessment conducted was a modified functional analysis to further assess the effects of consequences on bizarre speech. More typical consequences were assessed, including two tests for a positive function (attention in the form of correction and attention in the form of following along) and two tests for a negative function (a break from one question and a break from all questions). Results consistently revealed that antecedents produced greater differentiation in responding than social consequences. These findings provide evidence that behavioral assessments may need to be modified to better capture the relevant environmental variables that influence problem behavior in individuals with dementia. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.