Behavioral or hemispheric asymmetry: is there a default option?

The presence of acuity gradients as a moderating variable in hemifield research is not in question. Their importance as a determinant of hemifield differences is unclear, however. The major issues are as follows. First, do vertical displays provide an appropriate control for the acuity gradient? Second, do the initial letters of a word play a critical role in word recognition, either in information-theoretic terms or because the lexicon is itself organized around access codes based on the initial letter or letters of words? Third, do behavioral and hemispheric accounts provide equally attractive explanations of Task Level X Visual Field interactions? Fourth, if the two accounts are equally attractive on empirical grounds, which is to be preferred? Each of these issues is addressed in this reply to M. P. Bryden's (1986, Brain and Cognition, 5, 362-368) and J. Hellige's (1986, Brain and Cognition, 5, 369-376) comments on our article (K. Kirsner & S. Schwartz 1986, Brain and Cognition, 5, 354-361).     

The Role of Help‐Seeking in Preventing Suicide Attempts among Lesbians,Gay Men,and Bisexuals

One possible approach to prevention of suicide attempts is to encourage help‐seeking among individuals at risk. We assessed whether different forms of treatment were associated with lower odds of a suicide attempt in a diverse group of 388 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults aged 18–59, sampled from New York City venues. Of individuals who attempted suicide, 23% sought mental health or medical treatment and 14% sought religious or spiritual treatment prior to the suicide attempt. Black and Latino LGBs were underrepresented in mental health or medical treatment and Black LGBs were overrepresented in religious or spiritual treatment. Seeking mental health or medical treatment was not associated with lower odds of a suicide attempt; seeking religious or spiritual treatment was associated with higher odds of a suicide attempt. We discuss these results and posit hypotheses for further research of this understudied topic.     

Family Functioning, Identity, and Problem Behavior in Hispanic Immigrant Early Adolescents

The present study investigated the role of identity in the relationship between family functioning and behavior problems in a sample of Hispanic immigrant early adolescents and their families. The sample consisted of 181 Hispanic immigrant adolescents (92 males, 89 females) and their participating caregivers (who were mostly mothers). Identity was measured using adolescent reports, whereas family functioning and early adolescent behavior problems were measured using both adolescent and parent reports. Correlational analyses indicated that previously obtained relationships among family functioning, identity, and behavior problems were replicated in the present sample. Structural equation models indicated that 20% of the relationship between family functioning and behavior problems operated indirectly through identity, and identity confusion partially mediates the relationship between family functioning and early adolescent behavior problems. Implications for intervention are discussed.