An editorial in four parts

In writing this editorial, I have four objectives: (1) to make statement concerning EJWOP’s mission—in particular, why does the world need a European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology; (2) to review the state of our scientific practice and how EJWOP can help contribute to that practice; (3) to make a statement on the kind of papers EJWOP will strive to publish; and (4) to say thanks to the out-going editor and associate editors.     

I Am > Trauma: Experimentally Reducing Event Centrality and PTSD Symptoms in a Clinical Trial

Event centrality has been one of the strongest predictors of PTSD symptoms. We attempted to experimentally reduce event centrality using a modified version of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in a sample of traumatized participants from a community outreach center. Relative to a control group, participants who received ACT evidenced significant decreases in PTSD symptoms, depression, and event centrality. A mediation analysis revealed that the effect of condition on PTSD symptoms was mediated by decreases in event centrality. Only the effect of condition on depression was still significant at six weeks posttreatment. This study is the first to manipulate event centrality and suggests that components of ACT may be effective at reducing event centrality.     

‘Humane intervention’: the international protection of animal rights

This paper explores the international implications of liberal theories which extend justice to sentient animals. In particular, it asks whether they imply that coercive military intervention in a state by external agents to prevent, halt or minimise violations of basic animal rights (‘humane intervention’) can be justified. In so doing, it employs Simon Caney's theory of humanitarian intervention and applies it to non-human animals. It argues that while humane intervention can be justified in principle using Caney's assumptions, justifying any particular intervention on behalf of animals is much more difficult – and in present circumstances impossible. If these claims are correct, a number of important conclusions follow. First, all states lack legitimacy because of the horrors that they inflict upon animals. As a result of this, all states are prima facie liable to intervention by external agents. To remedy this situation, all states have the responsibility to massively transform their relationship with non-human animals, and to build international institutions to oversee the proper protection of their most basic rights.     

An Exercise in Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Treating Emotional Distress in Melanoma Patients

This study presents a retrospective assessment of a psychological intervention examined for its potential cost-effectiveness if implemented into standard care. It discusses (1) the cost of instituting a psychological intervention for distressed melanoma patients, (2) the effectiveness of that intervention for reducing distress when compared with a standard care group, and (3) the costs of providing the treatment as compared to costs of physician time to answer distress-driven questions as part of standard care. Although the per-minute cost of providing the psychological intervention was marginally greater than standard care, providing the intervention was significantly cheaper in terms of distress reduction. Inclusion of 60% payer reimbursement rates for the intervention further suggested that incorporating a psychological intervention into standard medical care for melanoma patients would potentially generate revenue.     

The School-Based Mourning Project: A Preventive Intervention in the Cycle of Inner-City Violence

This paper describes the origin, facilitation, and effectiveness of an innovative model of early secondary prevention designed to help high-risk, inner-city, elementary school children deal with multiple losses and trauma. Grieving is especially difficult for inner-city children who live in a chaotic environment of poverty and are often traumatized by witnessing and enduring violence. These emotionally vulnerable and often developmentally impaired children are unable to deal with the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, the pain of grief, violent fantasies, and guilt. The result can be an underlying depression that children and adolescents try to avoid through aggressive acting out or self-destructive behavior. An innovative school-based model promotes mourning work. Clinical pre- and posttesting indicate the effectiveness of the intervention. Various extensions of the project are described.     

中学女生身体不满意的认知取向干预

基于女性身体不满意的预测模型,试图通过以干预课程为主的认知干预活动,降低青春期女生的身体不满意,形成健康的身体观。结果表明,身体不满意的干预活动能够有效防止初中女生身体不满意的进一步增加,对高中女生的影响没有达到显著差异;自编实验组女生成长问卷结果和实验组女生访谈的结果显示,干预活动给初中和高中实验组女生带来了一定的积极影响;初中生父母调查的结果反映了大部分父母比较满意此干预活动。研究表明本干预研究具有一定的可行性,值得进一步探讨和拓展。     

书写表达及其对身心健康的作用

作为心理干预方法, 书写表达是通过书写披露和表达与个人重要经历有关的感受和想法, 由此促进身心健康。书写表达操作简便, 对身心健康均具有显著的促进作用, 但其干预效果会受干预对象的心理特征、卷入水平和书写主题等因素的影响。书写表达的作用机制主要是暴露、适应、注意转向和认知重构。     

A multi-year evaluation of the effects of a Response to Intervention (RTI) model on identification of children for special education

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of implementation of a systematic response to intervention (RTI) model on the identification and evaluation of children for special education. Using a multiple baseline design, a systematic model of assessment and intervention was introduced in consecutive years for all elementary schools (N = 5) in the district. Effect of the RTI model on number of evaluations conducted, percentage of evaluated children who qualified for services, and proportion of identified children by sex and ethnicity before and after implementation of the model was examined. Additionally, outcomes for children who did not have an adequate response to intervention versus those who were at-risk but responded successfully to short-term intervention were examined. A cost analysis of use of the model was provided. The degree to which data obtained were used by the decision-making team was also examined. The assessment and intervention procedures, decision rules, and schoolwide training methods are described in detail and practical implications are discussed.     

Group prevention of depression and anxiety symptoms

To prevent depression and anxiety, we delivered a brief, classroom-based cognitive-behavioral workshop along with ongoing Web-based materials and e-mail coaching to college students at risk for depression. At risk was defined as having mild to moderate depressive symptoms on a self-report measure of depression. Two hundred forty students were randomized into either an eight-week workshop that met in groups of 10, once per week for 2 h or into an assessment-only control group. We plan to track participants for 3 years after the workshop and here we report the 6 month preventive effects on depression and anxiety. The workshop group had significantly fewer depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms than the control group, but there was no significant difference between the conditions on depression or anxiety episodes at 6 month follow up. The workshop group had significantly better well being than the control group, and the workshop group had significantly greater improvement in optimistic explanatory style than the control group. Improved explanatory style was a significant mediator of the prevention effects from pre- to post-workshop for depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as for improved well being.