MEASUREMENT OF FATHER–CHILD ROUGH‐AND‐TUMBLE PLAY AND ITS RELATIONS TO CHILD BEHAVIOR

Although there is increasing evidence of paternal influence on child outcomes such as language and cognition, researchers are not yet clear on the features of father–child play that are most valuable in terms of child development. Physical play such as rough and tumble play (RTP) is a favored type of father–child play in Western societies that has been linked to children's socioemotional competence. It is important, therefore, to determine the implications of this play for child development. In this review and meta‐analysis, associations between father–child physical play and child behavior were examined. The review also focused on study methods. Sixteen studies are reviewed, N = 1,521 father–child dyads, 35% boys. Study characteristics such as definitions of physical play, play settings, play measures, and coding were examined. The meta‐analysis found weak to moderate population effects for links between father–child physical play and child aggression, social competence, emotional skills, and self‐regulation. Research investigating the effect of father–child physical play on children's development will be improved when definitions clearly identify the nature of play, settings facilitate boisterous play, and measures include frequency and quality of play interactions. This play shows promise as an enhancer of positive father–child relationships and a catalyst for child development.     

Using Indirect Measurement Tasks to Assess the Self‐concept of Personality: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analyses

This systematic review presents the current state of research investigating the implicit self‐concept of personality. First, we present results on meta‐analyses estimating internal consistency, reliability coefficients, the implicit–explicit consistency and the single association predictive effect of implicit self‐concept of personality measures. To do this, studies were aggregated over personality domains. Second, for each of the Five Factor personality domains, different aspects of construct validity and predictive validity are reviewed in a narrative way. Results show that implicit self‐concept of personality measures are reliable, and there is evidence for the construct and predictive validity of these implicit measures, especially in the extraversion and agreeableness domains of personality. However, it must be kept in mind that clear evidence for publication bias was found for studies examining the single association predictive pattern. Finally, this systematic review identifies some achievable improvements that are needed in future research. Large cross‐lab efforts are important in this respect. Moreover, the implicit self‐concept of personality field must move from an ‘ad hoc’ to a ‘validation’ approach in developing new indirect measurement tasks. By adopting these research objectives, the information processing account of personality will increase its potential to become integrated into mainstream personality theory and research. Copyright © 2017 European Association of Personality Psychology     

Knowing so much,yet knowing so little: a scoping review of interventions that address the stigma of mental illness in the Canadian context

Stigma can have detrimental effects on the health and wellbeing of individuals living with a mental illness. This scoping review describes the nature, range, and extent of intervention research aimed at reducing public and self-stigma of mental illness in the Canadian context. The review was guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. A search of databases and relevant websites identified 35 primary studies. Most studies used quantitative research methods and included predominantly youth or middle-aged adults, women, and white Canadian-born people. Guided by different conceptualizations of stigma, direct or indirect contact, education, and advocacy-focused interventions, aimed to provide information, and/or develop skills to address self and public stigma. Most studies evaluated interventions’ effectiveness short-term. Of the few studies that followed-up participants long-term, some were able to reduce stigmatizing attitudes post-intervention, however, these targeted only specific groups such as students or health care professionals. Lack of diversity among the samples, and limited evidence of long-term effectiveness of interventions, were some of the studies’ limitations. What is currently known about interventions aimed at reducing the stigma of mental illness in the Canadian context is not informed by research among vulnerable groups, such as people living with a mental illness, older adults, immigrants, and people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Interventions that are informed by clear conceptualizations of stigma and rigorously evaluated in a range of ethno-cultural groups would create a knowledge base that is useful for policy-makers, community leaders, and agencies serving various ethnic communities in Canada.     

Pre-trial therapy for child witnesses in cases of sexual abuse: A scoping literature review

Globally, child complainants of sexual abuse are expected to testify in criminal proceedings and in some countries therapy is delayed until after the child testifies as not to contaminate the child’s version of events. We carried out a scoping review of the literature on the provision of pre-trial therapy to child witnesses in cases of sexual abuse, to identity pertinent practice issues. We searched the following data bases: Academic FileOne, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, eBook (EBSCOHost); HeinOnline, OAPEN Library, PscyhARTICLS, PscyhINFO; SocINDEX, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scopus. We identified white and grey literature for the period spanning 1980 to 2016. Inclusion criteria included studies published in English, experimental studies, literature reviews, and policy documents relating to the provision of pre-trial therapy for child witnesses in criminal cases of sexual abuse. We discovered that an internationally accepted clear definition of pre-trial therapy is needed to ensure a common understanding thereof amongst all role players. A dearth of empirical studies exists and consequently the possible impact of different forms of therapeutic approaches on the child witness’ testimony is yet to be conclusively determined. In the interim, therapists and other role players should be acutely aware of the impact of different forms of therapy on the child witness’s testimony.     

The Violence in Our Schools: What Can a Psychoanalytically Informed Approach Contribute?

In the first part of the overview the author draws on the papers in this issue to support the argument that school violence is but one form of social violence with which modern life confronts us. Without modeling from the top down, it is hard to imagine how viable programs for violence prevention in schools can be developed and implemented. Coercion is the rule within most social systems, with the exception of families where secure attachments dominate. In secure organizations social influence is exercised in a framework dominated by an awareness of the mental states, concerns, thoughts, and feelings of individuals within the system—that is, a capacity for mentalization. The creation of a peaceful learning environment requires enhancement of the child's consciousness of his or her own awareness of others' awareness of him/her. In the second part of the overview the author questions whether all violence is understandable in these ways or in any way at all. He suggests for reconsideration the classical psychoanalytic notion of threat as a manifestation of a destructive drive. He speculates that violence may occur in two ways and for two reasons which are often conflated and confused. A psychoanalytic theory of this second type of violence is briefly outlined.     

A Meta-Analysis of Structural and Functional Brain Imaging in Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type: A Neuroimaging Profile

We conducted a quantitative review of the imaging literature using meta-analytic methodology to characterize further the magnitude of hippocampal deficit in probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to determine whether other neuroanatomic structures in AD can better discriminate the disease from normal aging. Additionally, we parceled the discriminability of neuroanatomic structures by duration of disease to determine those structures most sensitive to AD in its early and late stages. One hundred twenty-one studies published between 1984 and 2000 met criteria for inclusion in the present analysis. In total, structural (i.e., CT and MRI) and functional (i.e., SPECT and PET) neuroimaging results from 3511 patients with AD, and 1632 normal healthy controls were recorded across meta-analyses. Our results include neuroimaging profiles for both early onset and longer duration patients with AD. In sum, these profiles yield a signature of diagnostic markers in both cortical and subcortical neuroanatomic areas. This signature is consistent with the clinical phenomenology of Alzheimer's dementia and should aid in the positive identification of AD.     

The Effects of Estrogen Replacement Therapy on Neuropsychological Functioning in Postmenopausal Women With and Without Dementia: A Critical and Theoretical Review

We review 42 studies examining the effects of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on memory and cognition in nondemented postmenopausal women. Although there are an appreciable number of nonsignificant findings, the number of significant findings favoring ERT users considerably outnumbers the rare findings of better performance in controls. Experimental studies demonstrate a consistent beneficial effect on verbal memory, but these are short-term studies of the more acute effects of ERT. The observational studies suggest that there may be a long-lasting effect of continued ERT on cognitive functioning, but these studies need to be interpreted with caution because of the lack of random assignment and a possible healthy user bias. We also summarize findings from studies on the effects of ERT on Alzheimer's disease (AD). ERT is associated with a decreased risk for dementia, but there is little evidence for a positive effect on cognition in women with AD. Definitive answers to questions about the long-term effects of ERT on cognitive aging and risk of developing AD should be provided by 3 ongoing clinical trials.     

How REBT Can Be Less Disturbing and Remarkably More Influential in Britain: A Review of Views of Practitioners and Researchers

We asked British cognitive behaviour therapists and researchers for their views on the current status of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy in Britain. All agreed that REBT had lost influence in comparison with Cognitive Therapy since the cognitive revolution 20 years ago. The main reasons given were that REBT, particularly in comparison with CT, was under-researched, was too rationalist in its approach and too active/directive in its style. One responder thought REBT was remarkably atheoretical. Overall there was a surprising degree of ignorance and misinformation. On the positive side, REBT was felt to be focused on the person rather than the symptom, and oriented more to the client than the professional or academic in its publication output than CT. We consider each issue and make recommendations for change.