Factors Associated With Treatment Response in an Internet-Based Intervention for Prolonged Grief Disorder After Cancer Bereavement

Internet-based psychological interventions have proven effective in the treatment of prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Yet, some patients do not benefit from treatment in a clinically significant way. We aimed to examine predictors of symptom reduction in an Internet-based intervention for PGD after cancer bereavement, in order to identify possible treatment mechanisms and discern directions for future intervention design. A secondary analysis of data from a randomized wait-list controlled trial on an Internet-based intervention for PGD after cancer bereavement was conducted. Multiple regression models were used (1) to test for the influence of pretreatment PGD, working alliance, avoidance and gender on PGD symptom reduction; and (2) to explore further predictors of treatment success with a best subset selection protocol. The regression models explained 18% (Model 1) and 34% (Model 2) of variance in symptom reduction. Participants with more favorable symptom change had more severe pretreatment PGD scores and better working alliance. Those with lower social support and less posttraumatic growth experienced more PGD symptom change. In conclusion, therapeutic alliance is an important factor that should be monitored and fostered. Findings regarding social support and posttraumatic growth need further replication and clarification.     

A Pilot Open Trial of a Digital Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric disorder. Unfortunately, current treatments are lacking, with only 30-50% of individuals with AN recovering after treatment. We developed a beta-version of a digital mindfulness-based intervention for AN called Mindful Courage-Beta, which includes: (a) one foundational multimedia module; (b) 10 daily meditation mini-modules; (c) emphasis on a core skill set called the BOAT (Breathe, Observe, Accept, Take a Moment); and (d) brief phone coaching for both technical and motivational support. In this open trial, we aimed to evaluate (1) acceptability and feasibility; (2) intervention skill use and its association with state mindfulness in daily life; and (3) pre-to-post changes in target mechanisms and outcomes. Eighteen individuals with past-year AN or past-year atypical AN completed Mindful Courage-Beta over 2 weeks. Participants completed measures of acceptability, trait mindfulness, emotion regulation, eating disorder symptoms, and body dissatisfaction. Participants also completed ecological momentary assessment of skill use and state mindfulness. Acceptability ratings were good (ease-of-use: 8.2/10, helpfulness: 7.6/10). Adherence was excellent (100% completion for foundational module and 96% for mini-modules). Use of the BOAT in daily life was high (1.8 times/day) and was significantly associated with higher state mindfulness at the within-person level. We also found significant, large improvements in the target mechanisms of trait mindfulness (d = .96) and emotion regulation (d = .76), as well as significant, small-medium to medium-large reductions in eating disorder symptoms (ds = .36–.67) and body dissatisfaction (d = .60). Changes in trait mindfulness and emotion regulation had medium-large size correlations with changes in global ED symptoms and body dissatisfaction (rs = .43 – .56). Mindful Courage-Beta appears to be promising and further research on a longer, refined version is warranted.     

Social problem-solving skills in boys with conduct and oppositional defiant disorders

The current study compared the social problem-solving skills of a clinic-based sample of 30 boys diagnosed with conduct disorder (CD) and 25 boys diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Past research has indicated that contextual factors influence children's social problem-solving; thus, three hypothetical conflict situations (i.e., child-child, teacher-child, and parent-child) and situations which differed by degree of negative intent of the provocateur (i.e., hostile vs. Ambiguous intent) were examined. Problem-solving strategies were aggregated into three broad dimensions: 1) aggressive/antisocial solutions; 2) nonverbal-nonaggressive solutions; and 3) verbal-nonaggressive solutions. Compared to ODD boys, CD boys proposed more aggressive/antisocial solutions in parent-child conflicts when parental intent was ambiguous and in teacher-child conflicts regardless of intent. Compared to ODD boys, CD boys proposed fewer verbal-nonaggressive solutions in child-child conflicts. The implications of these findings for treatment intervention with CD and ODD boys were discussed. Aggr. Behav. 23:457–469, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Cognitive modifiability as a function of mother–child mediated learning strategies,mothers' acceptance–rejection,and children's personality

This study investigated (a) the effects of mediated learning experience (MLE) in mother–child interactions on cognitive modifiability as measured by dynamic assessment, (b) the effects of mothers' acceptance–rejection towards their children and the children's personality on the mothers' MLE strategies, (c) the combined effects of the mothers' acceptance–rejection, children's personality, and MLE strategies on children's cognitive modifiability, and (d) the prediction of cognitive modifiability by MLE interactions in two distinct conditions: free-play and structured. Fifty-four mother–child dyads (26 boys and 28 girls) in grade 2 were videotaped interacting in two situations: free-play and structured. The interactions were analysed with observation of mediation instrument using five criteria: intentionality and reciprocity, transcendence, meaning, feelings of competence, and regulation of behaviour. The children were administered the parent acceptance–rejection questionnaire, the personality assessment questionnaire, and the children's inferential thinking modifiability test. A distal–proximal factors of cognitive modifiability model was used to explain causal paths among mothers' acceptance–rejection and children's personality (distal) on MLE (proximal), and of both on children's cognitive modifiability. A structural equation model analysis revealed that (a) all MLE criteria were predicted by the distal factors of mothers' acceptance–rejection and children's personality, (b) none of the mothers' attitudes or children's personality factors explained the children's cognitive factors, (c) MLE criteria of transcendence and regulation of behaviour explained the children's CITM-post-teaching score but not the CITM-pre-teaching score. The results are discussed in relation to Feuerstein's MLE theory and Tzuriel's previous results with preschool children. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transition of Adolescent Political Action Orientations to Voting Behavior in Early Adulthood in View of a Social-Cognitive Action Theory Model of Personality

The political activity and voting behavior of 136 young German adults in 1994 were predicted by their political action orientations measured 7 years before. Respondents belonging to cohorts born in 1971, 1972, and 1973 were surveyed in 1987, 1988, and 1994. The questionnaires measured variables relevant to the social-cognitive action theory model of personality: self-concept of political competence, beliefs about political locus of control, political knowledge, trust in politics, satisfaction with politics, and political activity in everyday life. The results are interpreted with respect to the correlative and absolute stability versus plasticity of the variables from 1987 to 1994, as well as the predictive value of the action theory personality variables for political activities and for voting behavior measured 7 years later. Longitudinal results indicate a high predictive value of self-concept of political competence and political knowledge for political activity and voting in early adulthood. Because only these two personality variables showed relatively high positional stability coefficients from adolescence to early adulthood, the discussion refers to the necessity of early developmental interventions to prevent extreme types of politically uninterested and passive adults. Therefore, the social-cognitive action theory personality model of political participation is extended to a social-cognitive action theory personality model of political socialization in the life span.     

Development, Reliability, and Validity of the Beliefs Toward Mental Illness Scale

The present study describes the development of a new scale to measure Beliefs toward Mental Illness (BMI), which was designed to measure cross-cultural differences in such beliefs as well as to predict treatment-seeking behavior among different cultural groups. A total of 216 students participated in this study (114 Asian students and 102 American students). A series of factor analyses examining construct validity for the BMI revealed that the BMI has three dimensions, including dangerousness, poor social and interpersonal skills, and incurability. Examination of the reliability estimates for each factor revealed moderate to high internal consistency of the BMI. Comparisons between American and Asian students revealed the expected cultural differences in their beliefs toward mental illness and treatment preference.     

在新医学模式指导下预防碘缺乏病

碘缺乏病严重危害人类健康,是最大的、可预防的智力损伤因素。通过“社会动员”,推动防治碘缺乏病（ＩＤＤ）“轮子”运转,使我国消除ＩＤＤ事业有了巨大进步。目前存在的问题可能会影响到该事业的可持续发展。对此,提出一些建议。     

元记忆监测与人格特征相互关系的实验研究

运用ＲＪＲ标准程序,考察了元记忆监测与两种人格维度（内外向以及情绪性）的关系,结果表明：元记忆监测水平受到了人格自身优势倾向性及其行为定向性的影响,人格的内外向特点和情绪稳定性特点直接制约着元记忆监测的准确性和稳定性。据此认为元记忆能力的度量和开发,应充分考虑人格因素的影响。     

Does criminal offender treatment work?

In examining the effectiveness of offender treatment, this article attempts to integrate disparate bodies of knowledge. An overview of the effectiveness of offender treatment is presented. To put offender treatment into perspectives, the psychotherapy outcome literature for nonoffenders is briefly reviewed. The complexity of offender treatment is further explored by reviewing correlates and antecedents of criminality that include antisocial personality disorder, antisocial behavior in children, and substance abuse. Implications of the existing body of knowledge on future policy and more active involvement by psychologists are discussed.