Into the Haunted House of Mirrors

Abstract

The treatment of youth with histories of multiple victimization is discussed. A developmental treatment approach is presented based on Eriksonian theory that highlights particular difficulties abuse presents for a child's successful movement through different developmental stages. Interventions addressing these difficulties are also discussed with many case examples. Finally, the issue is raised concerning which multiple abuse victims can be helped by the therapeutic process.     

The narratives of children in armed conflict: an inference to spirituality and implication to psychological intervention

From the life narratives of disadvantaged children who were victims of armed conflict, spirituality could be understood in the context of family, community, friends and aspirations. However, this initial finding needed further validation with the participants. Likewise, to utilise the findings for psychological intervention, spirituality needs to be developed with them. By doing this (living and reflecting with the children), psychologists or researchers will be able to develop programmes (spiritual or psychological) that are more meaningful and empowering to children; rather than imposing a spiritual or psychological processes that are totally alien to them. After all, at the end of the day, family, community, friends and aspirations are the most reliable resource which the disadvantaged children could constantly cling on to.     

Perceived Child Rearing Practices as Predictors of University Students' Satisfaction with their Sexual Relationships

The aim of this study was to determine the effects that perceived child-rearing practices have on the sexually intimate relationship satisfaction of a sample of 130 male (n=62) and female (n=68) fourth year South African university students. Participants completed the Parenting Bonding Instrument (Parker, Tupling, & Brown, 1979), Stevens Relationship Questionnaire (Stevens & Stevens, 1994) and the Sexual Knowledge Questionnaire (Louw, 2000) to measure perceived parent-child attachment, respondents' sexually intimate relationships and level of sex education. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of perceived child rearing practices on sexually intimate relationship satisfaction. The results suggest that parent-child attachment explained a significant percentage of the variance in intimate relationship in young adulthood.     

Child Abuse and Neglect: Counseling and Healing Practices with People of African Ancestry

Communities worldwide condemn child abuse and agree that any form of harm should be mitigated by culturally sensitive methods. In African settings such methods are underrepresented in the literature. This article sought to identify and highlight the healing practices that counselors should consider when dealing with abused children of African descent. It further, proposes prevention that should be prioritized since most African communities are living in precarious circumstances which could expose children to further abuse. The article recommends that counselors in African settings need to adopt holistic approaches such as involving parents, community and other relevant institution when dealing with survivors of abuse, rather than to work in isolation. In addition, the legislation that protects children and the traditional support system needs to be strengthened and aligned to international conventions as inconsistencies could undermine their effectiveness and hamper the implementation of anti-child abuse policies.     

The Criminal Liability of Child Soldiers: In Search of a Standard

Despite the recent focus on the problem of the recruitment and use of child soldiers, there is still no clarity on the criminal liability of child soldiers who participate in conflict. In this article, we analyze the criminal liability of child soldiers against the historical background child soldiers. This aritle reports on its prevalence, and discusses the international legal framework liability. We pose the question whether the dual status of child soldiers as victims and perpetrators negatively impacts their criminal liability and whether it may in fact hamper the attainment of justice.     

An Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioural Training for Acute Tinnitus: Secondary Analysis of Acceptance in Terms of Satisfaction,Trial Attrition and Non-Usage Attrition

Objectives: Recent studies on tinnitus have focused on the efficacy of Internet-based interventions. Other core features of the quality of service, e.g. acceptance and attrition, have often been overlooked. This study analyses Internet-based training regarding acceptance and attrition in a trial on minimal-contact interventions for acute tinnitus. Whenever possible, we give information on other forms of training for comparison. Methods: In a randomised controlled trial with 337 participants, 87 persons took part in the Internet training. Results: The participants were as satisfied with the Internet-based training as with a face-to-face group training. There was a 34.48% dropout from the Internet-based training (dropout attrition). The training attrition from the Internet-based training was even higher at 64.4%. Conclusions: Two out of three indicators for acceptance—satisfaction and dropout attrition—provide comparable results between the Internet-based training and a face-to-face group training. The third indicator, training attrition, shows a better result for the group training. Future research should focus on attrition in order to enhance the overall effectiveness of training.     

Internet-Based Treatment of Pathological Gambling with a Three-Year Follow-Up

Effective therapies for pathological gambling exist, but their use is limited to about 10% of the target population. In an attempt to lower the barriers for help, Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) has been shown to be effective when delivered to a non-depressed sample with pathological gambling. This study sought to extend this finding to a larger, more representative population, and also test a model to predict responder status. Following advertisement, a total of 284 participants started an 8-week ICBT programme with minimal therapist contact via e-mail and weekly telephone calls of less than 15 min. The average time spent on each participant, including telephone conversations, e-mail, and administration, was 4 h. In addition to a mixed effects model to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, two logistic regression analyses were performed with the following eight pre-defined response predictor variables: work-life satisfaction, primary gambling activity, debts due to gambling, social support, personal yearly salary, alcohol consumption, stage of change, and dissociative gambling. ICBT resulted in statistically significant reductions in the scores of pathological gambling, anxiety, and depression as well as an increase in quality of life compared to pre-treatment levels. Follow-ups carried out in the treatment group at 6, 18, and 36 months indicated that treatment effects were sustained. Using the eight predictor variable model rendered an acceptable predictive ability to identify responders both at post-test (AUC = .72, p < .01) and at 36-month follow-up (AUC = .70, p < .01). We conclude that ICBT for pathological gamblers, even if depressed, can be effective and that outcome can partly be predicted by pre-treatment characteristics.     

创业专业人才的机会识别与开发策略模型:基于建构主义视角

创业专业人才的机会识别和开发日益成为研究者普遍关注的问题和人力资源管理的重要策略.这方面的研究主要采用了机会识别和开发策略等两种不同的视角.本研究以建构主义视角为新思路,提出创业专业人才的机会识别模型,用以探究创业专业人才的机会形成与开发策略,认为个体从创业环境中建构并发展了机会识别、选择和开发策略的释义,从而使得创业专业人才的机会识别过程成为关键的机制.机会识别、选择和开发等过程交互影响,共同建构了创业专业人才的开发模型.未来研究应更多关注创业机会的建构机制,探索机会的过程整合和决策研究.     

Validation of the Internet and Social Networking Experiences Questionnaire in Spanish adolescents

The aim of this paper is to validate the Internet Related Experiences Questionnaire (IREQ) with a sample of 525 participants from Compulsory Secondary Education, considering the possible addiction to the internet from both interpersonal and intrapersonal dimensions. Besides, associations between CERI scores and several variables such as sex, age as well as selfesteem were analyzed. Results show a good fit of the questionnaire through a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), where the interpersonal factor explains a higher percentage of the variance at the expense of the intrapersonal factor. Statistically significant differences between IREQ scores and age and a lineal positive association between self-esteem and possible interpersonal addiction to the internet were found. The possibility of these results to be affected by the social use of the Internet and the generalization in young people's lives is discussed. Moreover, the need of designing and implementing prevention programs for a healthy use of the internet is discussed.     

Internet-Based Exposure Treatment Versus One-Session Exposure Treatment of Snake Phobia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

In this study, the authors compared guided Internet-delivered self-help with one-session exposure treatment (OST) in a sample of snake phobic patients. A total of 30 patients were included following a screening on the Internet and a structured clinical interview. The Internet treatment consisted of four weekly text modules which were presented on a web page, a video in which exposure was modelled, and support provided via Internet. The OST was delivered in a three-hour session following a brief orientation session. The main outcome was the behavioural approach test (BAT), and as secondary measures questionnaires measuring anxiety symptoms and depression were used. Results showed that the groups did not differ at post-treatment or follow-up, with the exception of a significant interaction for the BAT in favour of the OST. At post-treatment, 61.5% of the Internet group and 84.6% of the OST group achieved a clinically significant improvement on the BAT. At follow-up, the corresponding figures were 90% for the Internet group and 100% for the OST group (completer sample). Within-group effect sizes for the Snake Phobia Questionnaire were large (d = 1.63 and d = 2.31 for the Internet and OST groups, respectively, at post-treatment). It is concluded that guided Internet-delivered exposure treatment is a potential treatment option in the treatment of snake phobia, but that OST probably is better.