Prenatal trauma and autism

Through the clinical history of a little girl, this paper explores some possible traumatic prenatal experiences of children who have autistic features from birth. It establishes a tentative connection between the precocity of the onset of pathology and potentially traumatic prenatal situations such as threats of miscarriage or pathological mental states in the pregnant mother. It is suggested that a psycho-physical retreat from the auditory experience of the mother's voice, which normally stimulates foetal proto-mental activity and may lead to the development of a 'sound-object', might contribute to the later autistic child's isolation and non-mental clinging to tactile sensations.     

Comprehension of Sexual Consent as a Key Factor in the Perpetration of Sexual Aggression Among College Men

The comprehension of sexual consent is a crucial factor in healthy sexual relationships. This study examined the connection between the understanding of sexual consent and perpetration of sexual aggression. We surveyed 217 heterosexual male college students (M age = 20.9 years) using measures of sexual aggression, comprehension of sexual consent, rape myth acceptance, conformity to masculine norms, peer support of abuse, and attachment to abusive peers. We tested models examining factors related to comprehension of consent and the extent to which comprehension of consent was related to perpetration of sexual aggression. Rape myth acceptance, peer support of abuse, and conformity to masculine norms were found to predict comprehension of consent, which mediated the relationship between the social and cognitive variables and sexual aggression.     

College Students’ Beliefs Regarding Help Seeking for Male and Female Sexual Assault Survivors: Even Less Support for Male Survivors

This study explored college students’ perceptions regarding barriers to disclosure of sexual assault and helpfulness of campus resources for survivors of sexual assault. To better understand barriers and social reactions to disclosure of sexual assault, it is important to examine peer perceptions of barriers and resources for assault survivors. A total of 475 undergraduate students estimated the frequency with which various barriers prevent sexual assault disclosure and rated the helpfulness of several campus resources for both male and female survivors. Students perceived that barriers to disclosure were more likely to prevent men than women from telling someone they were assaulted and seeking help. Students also believed that campus resources are more helpful for female than male survivors. Students’ negative perceptions of disclosure and help seeking for male survivors indicate that more education regarding the sexual assault of males and inclusive outreach is needed.     

Test–Retest Reliability of the ECO Computerised Cognitive Battery for the Elderly

The current study presents the test–retest reliability data for the ECO (Examen Cognitif par Ordinateur) computerised cognitive battery developed by Ritchie et al. (1993). Repeat testings were conducted using a sample of 36 healthy elderly with normal cognitive functioning. Sixteen of the battery’s 23 subtests yielded significant correlation coefficients ranging from .42 to .90 (Pearson’s r). A mild practice effect was detected with two of the seven memory tests and two of the seven visuospatial tests (p <.05). Comments about the sources of measurement error and recommendations for further test development are made.     

Is laughter the best medicine?

Abstract

One hundred patients with chronic arthritis were interviewed and completed questionnaires about coping, well-being and their use of humour. A comparison of patients scoring high or low on each of 3 measures of humour showed that those who reported they used humour least, had most difficulty recognising it and valued it least. They also reported more depressive symptoms and lower personal self-esteem. Regressions showed that depression was best predicted by the inactive use of humour in coping. and to a lesser extent, pain intensity. Cluster analysis of data on general coping strategies showed that valuing humour distinguished two-thirds of patients who were relatively normal and cautiously optimistic, from the other third, where the outlook was negative and hopeless. Those with a more positive view tended to be younger, less disabled, in less pain and with several social advantages on a number of indicators. However they also had a longer duration of disease. Two-thirds of patients said they were able to laugh when in pain but those most able to do this had less intense pain during the previous week. Furthermore the most disabled arthritis patients found laughter to be a most effective strategy. The research has implications for preventing depression and coping with disability.     

Alcohol-specific parenting,adolescent alcohol use and the mediating effect of adolescent alcohol-related cognitions

Objectives : Previous research indicated that alcohol-specific parenting is an important precursor of adolescent alcohol use, but failed to define the underlying mechanism. Based on social cognitive theory, alcohol-related cognitions such as alcohol refusal self-efficacy and alcohol-related expectancies were hypothesised to mediate this link.

Design : A cross-sectional survey included 1349 mothers and their sixth grade (11–12?years old) adolescent offspring. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the association between alcohol-specific parenting and adolescent alcohol use, mediated by adolescent alcohol-related cognitions.

Main outcome measures : Adolescent alcohol use, drinking refusal self-efficacy and alcohol expectancies.

Results : The associations between frequency of communication, maternal alcohol use and adolescent alcohol use were mediated by negative alcohol-related expectancies. The associations between quality of communication, rules and disclosure and adolescent alcohol use were mediated by self-efficacy.

Conclusions : The present study provides a first indication that the underlying mechanism of the association between the most important alcohol-specific parenting practices and adolescent alcohol use can be contributed to the mediating effect of alcohol-refusal self-efficacy.     

Archetypal Identity Development,Meaning in Life,and Life Satisfaction: Differences Among Clinical Mental Health Counselors,School Counselors,and Counselor Educators

Adults pursuing careers in counselor education, clinical mental health counseling, and counselor education (N = 256) participated in a study that examined relationships among archetypal identity development, meaning in life, and life satisfaction. Significant differences between groups existed for 5 archetypal identities, and meaning in life was significantly related to life satisfaction.     

The Association Between Therapeutic Alliance and Treatment Outcomes in a Group Triple P Intervention

A growing literature has examined the association between therapeutic alliance and treatment outcomes in child therapy. Few studies, however, have specifically investigated the role of therapeutic alliance within evidence-based parenting programs for children with externalizing behavioural difficulties. The current study prospectively collected measures of therapeutic alliance for 117 families completing a Triple P parenting program in a community children’s mental health center. Higher levels of mother and father rated therapeutic alliance were associated with greater gains in parenting skills and parental sense of competence. Parental rated therapeutic alliance was also associated with greater improvements in child conduct problems for mothers, but not fathers. However, therapist ratings of therapeutic alliance had limited associations with treatment improvement. The implications of the findings for clinical practice are discussed.