Culture and Acculturation Influences on Palestinian Perceptions of Prenatal Genetic Counseling

Patient cultural backgrounds strongly influence decision-making processes and outcomes in genetic counseling. The present study investigated influences of culture and acculturation on prenatal decision making processes of native Palestinians and Palestinian Americans. Seventeen native Palestinians and 14 first-generation, Palestinian Americans were interviewed and asked to imagine themselves as patients in hypothetical premarital and prenatal situations. Five major issues were investigated: 1) Influence of family history of an inherited condition on pre-marital decisions; 2) Perceptions of non-directive genetic counselor statements regarding options; 3) Role of gender in prenatal decisions; 4) Gender differences in emotional expression; and 5) Role of family and society in prenatal decisions. Several similarities and differences in native Palestinian and Palestinian American responses were obtained. Similarities appear to be due to common cultural roots, while differences may be due to acculturation. Practice and research recommendations are provided. An erratum to this article can be found at     

How Risk is Perceived, Constructed and Interpreted by Clients in Clinical Genetics, and the Effects on Decision Making: Systematic Review

As an individual’s understanding of their genetic risk may influence risk management decisions, it is important to understand the ways in which risk is constructed and interpreted. We systematically reviewed the literature, undertaking a narrative synthesis of 59 studies presenting data on the ways in which individuals perceive, construct and interpret their risk, and the subsequent effects. While most studies assessed perceived risk quantitatively, the combined evidence suggests individuals find risk difficult to accurately quantify, with a tendency to overestimate. Rather than being a stand-alone concept, risk is something lived and experienced and the process of constructing risk is complex and influenced by many factors. While evidence of the effects of perceived risk is limited and inconsistent, there is some evidence to suggest high risk estimations may adversely affect health and lead to inappropriate uptake of medical surveillance and preventative measures by some individuals. A more focused approach to research is needed with greater exploration of the ways in which risk is constructed, along with the development of stronger theoretical models, to facilitate effective and patient-centered counseling strategies.     

论心理咨询本土化:基于文化的视角

随着心理学文化转向热潮的兴起,心理咨询越来越重视文化的因素,一般从两个途径去探讨文化因素是如何影响心理咨询的。基于对本土研究成果的理解,以及我国心理咨询本土化已取得的成就和不足,本土心理咨询模式的架构应从中国本身的思维特性及对自我的认识入手,发展出本土的心理咨询的理论和模式。     

555例危险行为高危青少年的心理干预：来自个体辅导和团体辅导的效果对照

对有较高风险发展为危险行为青少年的高危群体实施有针对性的心理干预是非常有价值的。本研究对青少年危险行为高危人群进行结构化的个体与团体心理干预,评估两种干预的即时效果和六个月的预后情况。采用《青少年健康相关危险行为问卷》等量表对16所中职院校的学生进行筛查,共555名学生参加本研究,被随机分为个体、团体和对照组并分别进行干预。结果发现：干预后,个体心理干预组被试的危险行为水平、心理健康以及抑郁和焦虑情绪均获得显著改善,并且6个月的预后效果依然明显,而接受团体辅导干预组仅在抑郁指标上有所改善,在危险行为评分、焦虑和心理健康水平上均没有明显的改善。研究认为,对危险行为易感青少年的心理干预应以经过良好设计的个体心理干预为主、团体干预为辅的方式进行。     

网络对青少年学生自尊和自我和谐的影响研究

本研究用自尊量表和自我和谐量表对345名中学生自尊及自我和谐与不同上网次数的学生之间的心理关系进行测量。结果表明,网络在学生的自我和谐和自尊的发展总体不存在显著差异。方差分析和回归分析结果表明从不上网、偶尔上网和经常上网三类学生在自尊与自我和谐的发展各有特点。这提示我们应该辩证地认识网络的作用,相信青少年是有思考力的群体,在对待三类不同的学生采取不同的教育措施。     

Marriage and Family Therapy Students’ Change in Multicultural Counseling Competencies after a Diversity Course

Attention to diversity is required in Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education-accredited programs, yet not much research exists regarding the effectiveness of graduate training on therapists’ multicultural counseling competencies. In this study, 12 students enrolled in a masters-level diversity class were given pre- and post-tests of their multicultural counseling competencies. Results showed that students significantly increased their multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills after completing the diversity class. The discussion includes implications for educators who seek to improve students’ multicultural counseling competencies.     

国外心理咨询师职业耗竭研究现状

职业耗竭是学术界关注的一个新热点,国外心理咨询师的职业耗竭问题也得到了比较系统的研究。通过回顾国外相关研究,从心理咨询师职业耗竭的发生率、影响因素、症状特点、职业易感性等几个方面进行总结,尝试提出干预意见,并对未来研究趋势进行展望。     

The predictive validity of a computer-assisted career decision-making system: A six-year follow-up

The present study tested the predictive validity of Making Better Career Decisions (MBCD), a computer-assisted career decision-making system. Seventy clients who had used MBCD six years earlier were interviewed by telephone about their present field of study or occupation and the degree of their satisfaction with their occupational choice. The participants were divided into two groups: one consisted of clients whose chosen occupation was on the list of occupations recommended by MBCD, whereas the other consisted of clients whose chosen occupation was not on the recommended list. In the first group, 84% were highly satisfied with their occupational choice and 16% were satisfied to a moderate extent. Among those whose chosen occupation was not on the recommended list, only 38% were highly satisfied with their chosen occupation, 44% were satisfied to a moderate extent, and 18% were dissatisfied with their choice. These findings support the predictive validity of MBCD. Implications for counseling and computer-assisted career guidance systems are discussed.     

Countertransference and Large Group Dynamics in the church: Reflections on Pamela Cooper-White’s, Shared wisdom: Use of the self in pastoral care and counseling

This article was presented as part of a 2005 American Academy of Religion book panel on Pamela Cooper-White's recent book on countertransference in pastoral care and counseling. A response to Dr. Cooper-White's contribution is offered from the perspective of large group dynamics and their countertransference implications for pastors and church consultants.Wallace N. Fletcher is an instructor in pastoral counseling at Newman College. He also teaches psychoanalytic theory at the Philadelphia School of Psychoanalysis in Philadelphia, PA.