Longitudinal Associations Between Fathers’ Heavy Drinking Patterns and Children’s Psychosocial Adjustment

Psychosocial adjustment in children of alcoholics (N = 114) was examined in the year before and at three follow-ups in the 15 months after their alcoholic fathers entered alcoholism treatment, testing the hypothesis that children's adjustment problems will vary over time as a function of their fathers' heavy drinking patterns. Three unique patterns of heavy drinking in alcoholic fathers were identified through cluster analysis. The results demonstrated significant and meaningful associations between these drinking patterns in fathers and adjustment problems in children over time. Overall, children whose fathers remained mostly abstinent following their treatment showed lowest and decreasing adjustment problems, while children whose fathers continued and increased heavy drinking following their treatment showed greatest and increasing adjustment problems over time.     

A treatment trial of an information package to help patients accept new dentures

Intolerance of dentures can be very distressing and difficult to treat. Therefore, 44 patients, having had partial or total dental clearance, completed the Brief Symptom (Psychiatric) Inventory, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Allocated alternately, each patient had treatment as usual or watched a video containing information, recapitulated in a leaflet, based on the Self Regulatory Model of health beliefs explaining the experiences of wearing dentures and how to tolerate them. They were then fitted with dentures. Two and six weeks later, although both groups expressed favourable expectations of their dentures, the control group deteriorated continually on all measures, correlated with a decline in self-reported dental functioning. The video group improved on all measures except Satisfaction with Life. Therefore, our study is unique in showing that appropriate management of patients can arrest (1) clinically significant distress which can be occasioned by the replacement of teeth by dentures and (2) the development of complaints which may be seen as spurious. Experimental procedures are suggested to determine the influences which have brought this about in our study.     

"You" and "I," "us " and them: a systemic-discursive approach to the study of ethnic stereotypes in the context of British-Greek heterosexual couple relationships

Systemic family therapy accounts of ethnic stereotypes in the context of ethnically mixed couple relationships have tended to focus on the interpersonal-psychological realm of the couple relationship. Discourse analytic research, on the other hand, has highlighted the role of such stereotypes in the construction of national identity and has stressed the importance of a historical and ideological approach. In this article, we will present our attempt to develop a systemic-discursive approach to the study of stereotypes in the particular context of British-Greek heterosexual couple relationships by building on both fields.     

Risk Assessment and Genetic Counseling for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Recommendations of the National Society of Genetic Counselors

These cancer genetic counseling recommendations describe the medical, psychosocial and ethical implications of identifying at-risk individuals for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) through cancer risk assessment, with or without genetic susceptibility testing. They were developed by members of the Practice Issues Subcommittee of the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ Familial Cancer Risk Counseling Special Interest Group. The information contained in this document is derived from extensive review of the current literature on cancer genetic risk assessment as well as the professional expertise of genetic counselors with significant experience in education and counseling regarding hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Critical components of the process include the ascertainment of medical and family histories, determination and communication of cancer risk, assessment of risk perception, education regarding the genetics of HBOC, discussion of molecular testing for HBOC if appropriate (including benefits, risks and limitations) and any necessary follow-up. These recommendations do not dictate an exclusive course of management or guarantee a specific outcome. Moreover, they do not replace the professional judgment of a health care provider based on the clinical situation of a client.     

Determining Public Policy and Resource Allocation Priorities for Mitigating Natural Hazards: A Capabilities-based Approach

This paper proposes a Capabilities-based Approach to guide hazard mitigation efforts. First, a discussion is provided of the criteria that should be met by an adequate framework for formulating public policy and allocating resources. This paper shows why a common decision-aiding tool, Cost-benefit Analysis, fails to fulfill such criteria. A Capabilities-based Approach to hazard mitigation is then presented, drawing on the framework originally developed in the context of development economics and policy. The focus of a Capabilities-based Approach is protecting and promoting the well-being of individuals. Capabilities are dimensions of well-being and specified in terms of functionings. Functionings capture the various things of value an individual does or becomes in his or her life, including being alive, being healthy, and being sheltered. Capabilities refer to the real achievability of specific functionings. In the context of hazard mitigation, from a Capabilities-based Approach, decision- and policy-makers should consider the acceptability and tolerability of risks along with the affectability of hazards when determining policy formulation and resource allocation. Finally, the paper shows how the proposed approach satisfies the required criteria, and overcomes the limitations of Cost-benefit Analysis, while maintaining its strengths.     

Psychosocial Well-being of Children in HIV/AIDS-Affected Families in Southwest China: A Qualitative Study

We investigated the psychosocial well-being of children in HIV/AIDS-affected families in rural China from the child’s and caregiver’s perspectives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among children living in HIV/AIDS-affected families (n = 16), their caregivers (n = 16) and key community informants (n = 5). Our findings showed that all of the children relied heavily on caregivers and peers to gain psychological support. Children’s psychosocial problems included fear, anxiety, grief, and loss of self-esteem and confidence. Stigma towards children existed, including isolation, ignorance and rejection. Our study illustrates that HIV/AIDS has impacted negatively on the psychosocial well-being of children. These findings can be used as preliminary data supporting more researches to profoundly explore the psychosocial impact of HIV/AIDS on children and appropriately indicate the need for interventions.     

Psychologie sociale de la santé et compétences psychosociales en éducation thérapeutique : des enjeux pour la recherche et pour la pratique

The article presents the theoretical-methodological contributions of Social Health Psychology on the evaluation and reinforcement of psychosocial skills in the context of therapeutic patient education. This is illustrated by a synthesis of the results of several empirical researches in the field of pediatric diabetes. This synthesis shows that psychosocial skills are part of a system of actions and interpretations shaped by therapeutic and relational issues as well as social symbolism. Several practical implications emerge from these results for more effective work on the psychosocial skills of patients. The article concludes with the interest of a “psychosocial clinic” which draws on the viewpoint of Social Health Psychology to evaluate, analyze and intervene on the psychosocial determinants of health behaviours.     

La recherche d’efficacité dans les actions de santé au travail. Le « travail sur le travail » comme alternative a la formation sur les risques psychosociaux

Based on a significant experience of interventions and research interventions in the field of occupational health, the authors wished, based on the assessment of several psychosocial risk prevention action plans, provide several reflections to build a risk-based alternative approach. This approach promoted “a work on a work” by the actors. This work becomes a source of knowledge and transformation. Here, the professionals in the field are not only informants on the work and adresses of recommendations, but also producers of knowledge, understood for them. The program presented involves the actors of work to overcome the obstacle of the transition from diagnosis to action.     

Views on aging and emotional benefits of physical activity: Effects of an exercise intervention in older women

Objectives

This intervention study evaluated the effects of exercise in old age on views on one’s own aging and on direct approach motivation for physical activity. It further examined the mechanism between these variables.

Design

Two hundred forty-seven healthy women aged 70−93 years were randomized to an exercise course (n = 86), an active (n = 85), or a passive control group (n = 76) for a 6-month participation in Berlin, Germany. Activity interventions (3 × 1.5 h/wk) were conducted using standardized manuals.

Method

Group differences in changes of views on aging and direct approach were evaluated by analyses of covariance adjusted for baseline. A mediating effect of direct approach between exercise participation and views on aging was tested with percentile-based bootstrapping.

Results

In contrast to both the active and the passive control groups, higher direct approach, F(2, 226) = 6.97, p = .001, and less aging dissatisfaction, F(2, 225) = 5.39, p = .005, were observed in the exercise group after 6 months. Exercise had an indirect beneficial effect on aging dissatisfaction through direct approach, B = −0.31, 95% CI = −0.68 to −0.05.

Conclusion

In women above 70 years, exercise participation increases direct approach motivation which in turn leads to lower aging dissatisfaction. This shows that exercise holds the potential to overcome subjective ageist bias.     

Approach and avoidance motivation as predictors of pro-relationship behaviors

Pro-relationship behaviors, such as willingness to sacrifice, are assumed to be driven by both approach and avoidance motivation. However, this assumption has not been directly tested. In two studies, we examined how individual differences in approach and avoidance motivation predicted pro-relationship behavior. In Study 1, avoidance (but not approach) motivation uniquely predicted sacrificial behavior. In Study 2, sacrificing was uniquely predicted by avoidance motivation, whereas accommodation was uniquely predicted by approach motivation. These data suggest that although both sacrificing and accommodation are pro-relationship behaviors, they are driven by different motivational systems, which in turn may result in different long-term relational outcomes.