Family identity and severe mental illness: A thematic synthesis of qualitative studies

There is a growing amount of research showing that a shared social identity and the sense of belonging to a family have a potential effect on health. However, little is known about the effects of severe mental illness on family identity. The authors carried out this thematic synthesis based on a systematic review of literature on family narratives of severe mental illness and family identity. The main findings indicate that in many families (i) their identity—as a shared social identity—undergoes a transformation process by which the identity aspects of being a family are reinforced; (ii) family members often take on a caring role as their main family role; and finally, (iii) a cultural component shapes this transformation process. The authors describe implications for research and application in the mental health field. All in all, family identity is transformed by the experience of severe mental illness.     

Assessment and treatment of self-control with aversive events

Self-control can be defined as choosing a smaller, immediate aversive event over a larger, delayed aversive event (e.g., flossing daily instead of risking major dental problems later). Children with developmental disabilities have been found to respond impulsively when given the choice between aversive events that differ based on magnitude and difficulty. However, qualitative differences between events may also impact aversiveness. This study attempted to replicate and extend prior research by (i) empirically identifying a hierarchy of qualitatively different aversive tasks for three individuals with developmental disabilities by evaluating their average latency to escape responses when presented with each task, (ii) assessing baseline levels of self-control (i.e., selection of immediate, low-aversive tasks over delayed, high-aversive tasks), and (iii) implementing an empirically validated treatment (i.e., adding a delay to both tasks). Each participant initially made impulsive choices, but self-control increased following treatment.     

Fragile X syndrome: Neural network models of sequencing and memory

A comparative framework of memory processes in males with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and typically developing (TYP) mental age-match children is presented. Results indicate a divergence in sequencing skills, such that males with FXS recall sequences similarly to TYP children around five and a half years of age, but the males with FXS recall significantly worse when compared to TYP children around seven and a half years of age. Performance on one working memory measure, an n-back Card Task, is modeled with a neural network. To date, no network models explicate the sequencing and memory processes in those with FXS. Noise was added to various levels (weight matrices) in the FXS model and outputs approximated human FXS performance. Three models were compared: (1) FXS; (2) younger mental age-TYP matches; (3) older reading level-TYP matches. Modeling can help to reify conceptualizations of deficits and to guide in the creation of more valid, science-based remediations. The FXS model suggested that the levels of phonological representation and sequencing in memory were candidates for targeted therapies in males with FXS.     

数学困难儿童的数学估计能力

对数学困难儿童(简称数困)的数学估计进行探讨有助于理解数困的成因和寻找适当的干预措施。本文在简要回顾数困和估计的概念基础上, 重点对近年来国内外关于数困儿童数学估计(主要是估算和估数)的表现及影响因素、神经基础和相关的干预研究进行了回顾和梳理, 并强调未来对数困儿童的数学估计研究应注重从选取被试、扩展研究范围和加强干预方案设计等方面开展探讨。     

早发型重度子痫前期的诊疗决策

早发型重度予痫前期可采取保守治疗恰当延长孕龄,减少因胎儿不成熟导致的围生儿死亡。但对妊娠28周～32周以前者的保守治疗,应采取非常慎重的态度,可以预期结局作为临床决策依据,恰当把握终止妊娠的时机与指征,达到提高胎儿有效成活率,避免孕产妇终末脏器不可逆损害,降低孕产妇病死率与婴幼儿死亡及病残率,减轻家庭和社会负担的目的。     

我国肢体残疾病人矫形治疗的现状分析

我国肢体残疾病人的发病率、病种分类、病情特点、医疗需求的实际情况如何?矫形外科医生队伍的建设与学术研究现状怎样?众多的肢体残疾者是否得到正确的矫形外科治疗?骨科学术界缺乏这样的分析。作者实施了2万多例各种肢体残疾的矫形手术,对其中16678例病人进行了统计分析,结果发现,近10余年来我国大医院进入以市场为主导的发展阶段,外科治疗下肢畸形与残疾的矫形外科专业,由于缺乏强大的市场推动、治疗过程较复杂等原因,而被忽视。我国矫形外科医师严重缺乏,某些下肢残缺的矫形手术治疗甚至人才断档。从而出现数以百万计的各种肢体残疾病人,因为缺少经济能力和矫形外科医师,没有得到正确的矫形外科治疗。作者分析了我国肢体残疾病人的发生率、病种、病情特点、年龄分布、经济状况和医疗需求,提出了解决这一问题的对策和建议     

Effects of individualized video feedback combined with group parent training on inappropriate maternal behavior

The effects of adding individualized video feedback (IVF) to Webster-Stratton's (2000, 2001) group-based parent training program (GT) were evaluated using a multiple baseline design across four mother-child dyads. During all phases of the study, inappropriate maternal behavior was recorded from videotapes of playtime with their preschoolers with developmental disabilities. Results suggested that GT+IVF reduced inappropriate maternal behavior to levels below GT alone.     

The effects of brief and extended stimulus availability on preference

The effects of stimulus availability on preference were evaluated using two conditions of a modified preference assessment. Different preference hierarchies were found in 15-s access conditions than in 15-min access conditions. Subsequent comparisons of a short-availability high-preference stimulus and a long-availability high-preference stimulus verified differential preferences for stimuli based on duration of availability.     

Training parent implementation of discrete-trial teaching: effects on generalization of parent teaching and child correct responding

Behavioral skills training was used to teach 3 parents to implement discrete-trial teaching with their children with developmental disabilities. Parents learned to implement discrete-trial training, their skills generalized to novel programs, and the children's correct responding increased, suggesting that behavioral skills training is an effective and efficient method of teaching discrete-trial teaching to parents.