Parental Attitudes,Beliefs, and Responses to Childhood Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: The Parental Attitudes and Behaviors Scale

ABSTRACT

This paper documents preliminary examination of the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Parental Attitudes and Behaviors Scale (PABS), an OCD-specific measure of parental attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral strategies related to childhood OCD. Employing a sample of 123 youth (mean age = 11.7; 59% male, 79% Caucasian) diagnosed with OCD in an outpatient child anxiety clinic, we used exploratory factor analysis to produce a 3-factor solution representing the following domains of parental responses to childhood OCD: accommodation, empowerment, and hostility/blame. These scales demonstrated adequate internal consistency and concurrent validity, providing preliminary evidence for the psychometric integrity of the PABS.     

The Effects of Parent Training and Ritalin on the Parent-Child Interactions of Hyperactive Boys

Using a multiple baseline across subjects design, the present study assessed the effects of parent training alone and combined with methylphenidate on the social interactions of three mothers with their hyperactive boys. Two mothers received instruction in child behavior management while their sons remained off medication. Subsequently, these boys returned to medication to evaluate whether the drug further enhanced the effects of parent training. The third child received the drug treatment first and then remained on medication while his mother underwent the same parent training program. Results indicated that both treatments alone decreased the amount of commands given by the mother as well as parent ratings of deviant child behavior in the home, but produced variable improvements in child compliance to commands. More reliable improvements in child compliance to commands. More reliable improvements from each treatment occurred in the duration of compliance per command. the combination of treatments failed to produce any further improvements in mother-child interactions than that achieved by either treatment alone. Contrary to earlier research, only parent training resulted in increases in the mothers' use of positive attention following child compliance.     

Family and Cultural Predictors of Depression Among Samoan American Middle and High School Students

This study investigated family intergenerational conflict and collective self‐esteem as predictors of depression in a sample of 128 Samoan middle and high school students. Simultaneous regression analyses revealed that each independent variable significantly contributed to an overall model that accounted for 13% of the variance in depression. Implications for counseling research and practice are discussed in terms of how schools may consider ways to promote these youth's cultural worth and positive family dynamics. Este estudio investigó el conflicto familiar intergeneracional y la autoestima colectiva como predictores de depresión en una muestra de 128 estudiantes samoanos de enseñanza media y secundaria. Los análisis simultáneos de regresión revelaron que cada variable independiente contribuyó de forma significativa a un modelo general que explicó un 13% de la varianza en depresión. Se discuten las implicaciones para la investigación y práctica de la consejería, en términos de cómo las escuelas pueden considerar formas de promover el valor cultural de estos jóvenes y una dinámica familiar positiva.     

Family relations,mental health and adherence to nutritional guidelines in patients facing dialysis initiation

This study investigated the effect of family relations on patients’ adjustment to dialysis. The two main aims were to develop a family typology, and to explore the influence of family profile on the patient's anxiety, depression and adherence to nutritional guidelines. The sample consisted of 120 patients (mean age 63 years; 67.5% of men). They completed several measures 1, 6 and 12 months after dialysis initiation. The scales used were the Family Relationship Index and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Perceived adherence to nutritional guidelines was assessed using two visual analogical scales. Results showed that family relations remained stable over time. Cluster analysis yielded three family profiles, which were named conflict, communicative and supportive families. Patients belonging to conflict families perceived themselves as less adhering to nutritional guidelines. For these patients, anxiety and depressive moods increased significantly over time, whereas mental health remained stable over time for communicative and supportive families. This research underlines that family relations are essential in global consideration of the care of patients treated by dialysis. Conflict families seem especially at risk. They should be identified early to help them adapt to this stressful treatment.     

High-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy of the antiphase boundary in a rapidly solidified B2 type TiPd compound

High-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) with Z-contrast is applied to characterize the antiphase boundary (APB) of the B2 structure in a rapidly solidified TiPd melt-spun compound. The atomic shift associated with the R ?=?(1/2) a ₀ ?111? type displacement vector is directly observed at the boundary. A microstructure modification of the melt-spun compound with the cooling rate during solidification is also described.     

Electropulsing-induced strengthening of steel at high temperature

Electropulsing usually promotes a metastable phase to evolve towards its equilibrium state. This work reports an alternative case, where electropulsing promotes the decomposition of the stable δ-phase in duplex stainless steel at high temperature. This decomposition enables both the γ-phase and the σ-phase in the steel to survive and hence to strengthen it at high temperature. The hardness of the quenched sample with electropulsing treatment is 49.4% higher than that without electropulsing treatment. A fundamental understanding of the observation is developed.     

Validating Measures of Psychological Well-being by Contrasting Samples Employed in Hazardous and Less Hazardous Work

The study investigated whether differences between contrasting groups reflect significant differences in psychological well-being scores. Membership of hazardous vs. less hazardous occupations in the same profession served as proxy measures of well-being. Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence (SOC), Block & Kremen's Ego-resiliency, and Goldberg's Emotional Stability scales were validated. Study 1 compared mine rescue team members and ordinary miners (n = 34, 41) and Study 2 police special task force members and regular officers (n = 43, 41). In Study 1, SOC and job satisfaction predicted group membership. In Study 2, satisfaction with life and extraversion scales predicted group membership, as did SOC in a secondary analysis. The SOC scale could predict psychological well-being in hazardous work settings.     

Resilience in Families Adapting to Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study explored adjustment and adaptation in families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Data on family resilience were collected from 19 biological mothers of children with ADS. The data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively to yield information on factors that enable these families to bounce back from the diagnosis and accompanying challenges with regard to ADS. The findings from the qualitative analysis indicate that social support, the spousal relationship, and family time, togetherness and routines are the most important resilience-promoting factors with ASD. Family hardiness, family problem-solving communication, and family time and routines were significant resilience resources.     

Psychosocial Effects of Conditions of Military Deployment

Deployment may lead the soldiers to dichotomise their profession and their family life, resulting in unwanted effects on family or career. Effects on reintegration and functioning within family are considered. Reunions may be characterized by perceived negative reception and consequences could spill over to children as parents attempt to equivocate their differences. Risks exist for fragmentation of the family system or divorce. Social support may serve to buffer families with members on deployment.