Mechanisms of change in cognitive behavioral therapy for panic disorder: The unique effects of self-efficacy and anxiety sensitivity

The present study examined temporal dependencies of change of panic symptoms and two promising mechanisms of change (self-efficacy and anxiety sensitivity) during an 11-session course of cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for Panic Disorder (PD). 361 individuals with a principal diagnosis of PD completed measures of self-efficacy, anxiety sensitivity, and PD symptoms at each session during treatment. Effect size analyses indicated that the greatest changes in anxiety sensitivity occurred early in treatment, whereas the greatest changes in self-efficacy occurred later in treatment. Results of parallel process latent growth curve models indicated that changes in self-efficacy and anxiety sensitivity across treatment uniquely predicted changes in PD symptoms. Bivariate and multivariate latent difference score models indicated, as expected, that changes in anxiety sensitivity and self-efficacy temporally preceded changes in panic symptoms, and that intraindividual changes in anxiety sensitivity and self-efficacy independently predicted subsequent intraindividual changes in panic symptoms. These results provide strong evidence that changes in self-efficacy and anxiety sensitivity during CBT influence subsequent changes in panic symptoms, and that self-efficacy and anxiety sensitivity may therefore be two distinct mechanisms of change of CBT for PD that have their greatest impact at different stages of treatment.     

Controversies in Family Preservation Programs

Summary

This paper examines the controversies over the use of family preservation policies to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect. Policies that aim to preserve families in which child maltreatment has occurred are at least a century old. However, there is renewed interest in such policies, given the dramatic rise in child abuse and neglect reports and a large number of children who spend time in out-of-home placements. New intensive family preservation services were advanced as able to assure the safety of children while working toward a lasting preservation of the family unit. The paper summarizes the research on intensive family preservation services and reports that such programs do not reduce placements nor do they appear to enhance child safety. The paper concludes by proposing that risk assessments and assessments of readiness to change could improve decision-making regarding which families might be aided by family preservation and which children should be protected by terminating their parents' rights.     

Person–organization (culture) fit and employee commitment under conditions of organizational change: A longitudinal study

This longitudinal study examines how person–organization fit, operationalized as congruence between perceived and preferred organizational culture, relates to employees’ affective commitment and intention to stay with an organization during the early stages of a strategic organizational change. Employees in a large energy company completed surveys before (N = 687) and after (N = 627) the change. We measured perceptions and preferences with regard to four components of organizational culture (human relations, open systems, internal process, and rational goal) derived from the Competing Values Model (Quinn, 1988), as well as affective commitment to the organization and intention to stay. Using polynomial regression and response surface analyses, we found that both perceived culture and culture fit related positively with the criterion variables within and across time. The strongest evidence for relations involving fit was obtained for those components of culture specifically targeted for change. Implications for future research and the management of organizational change are discussed.     

To watch or not to watch: Infants and toddlers in a brave new electronic world

For some time now, questions have been asked about the impact of television and video materials on the cognitive and social development of preschoolers and older children. More recently, these same questions have been asked in relation to the extensive exposure to these media that infants and toddlers are currently experiencing. To answer these questions, we review current research that explicitly targets these concerns and provide new insights into the role these media play in early development.     

对变化/分割模型的检验(Ⅱ)

在前一报告的基础上设计了两个实验,对变化／分割模型做进一步的检验。实验3控制目标时距和该时距内的填充数字系列的分割段数以及段的持续时间,操纵段内的项目数;结果显示,数字系列的分割段数明显影响延迟操作条件下的时距估计,而段内的项目数则不影响对时距的估计。实验4控制目标时距和该时距内填充数字系列的分割段数以及段内的项目数,操纵段的持续时间;结果显示,对时距的估计取决于被试所使用的时间标尺。四个实验结果表明,变化／分割模型只有较高的预测效度,但也有不足之处。为了更好地从认知的观点解释时距估计的影响因素,作者对已提出的分段综合模型做了进一步的论证,并认为分段综合模型是一个能较完整解释影响人类时距估计的各种因素的理论模型。     

新技术革命前沿的神经外科

近年来,由于新技术革命的发展和信息交流的加快神经外取得了突飞猛进的发展,主要表现在ＣＴ、ＭＲＩ、ＤＳＡ、ＰＥＴ、ＩＯＭ、术中导航系统和远程医疗的应用等方面,使神经外科的诊断和治疗水平有了长足的发展。     

Stereotypes and attribution processes in a multi‐ethnic Italian province

In South Tyrol, a multi‐ethnic Italian province (Italians, Germans, Ladins) with an autonomous statute, the intergroup attributions expressed by members of the Italian group were examined (relationship: Italians vs. Germans). It was found that, while the stereotypes are more favourable to the ingroup, the attributions are more favourable to the outgroup. The implications of these results for South Tyrol and community relations are discussed. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Maximizing the coefficient of generalizability under the constraint of limited resources

A procedure for maximizing the coefficient of generalizability under the constraint of limited resources is presented. The procedure uses optimization techniques that offer an investigator or test constructor the possibility of employing practical constraints. The procedure is illustrated for the two-facet random-model crossed design.     

提取诱发遗忘中的相关代价与效益问题：反应抑制能力与项目竞争强度的影响

采用提取练习范式,通过操作反应抑制能力和项目竞争强度两个变量,考察相关代价与效益问题（CCB）对大学生提取诱发遗忘（RIF）的影响。实验为2（反应抑制能力：高、低）×2（项目竞争强度：高、低）×3（项目类型：Rp+、Rp-、Nrp）三因素混合设计。结果发现,高反应抑制能力者在高项目竞争强度下产生了RIF,在低项目竞争强度下则未产生;低反应抑制能力者在高、低项目竞争强度下均未产生RIF。这些结果表明,对反应抑制能力正常的大学生而言,需要认知资源的抑制控制加工是RIF的产生机制,且这种抑制性RIF不受CCB的影响。     

对变化/分割模型的检验(I)

用两个实验对变化／分割模型进行了检验。实验１控制目标时距和该时距内的填充数字系列,操纵数字系列的分割段数;实验２控制目标时距内的填充数字系列的间距,操纵目标时距及其中填充数字系列的分割段数,要求被试用再现法和多数估计法分别复制目标时距,并进行立即估计和延迟估计。结果显示：与存储容量模型和加工时间模型相比较,变化／分割模型对时间估计的解释具有更高的预测效度