Cognitive Performance in Adolescence: Links With Early Maternal Stimulation and Children’s Anxious Behaviors

Abstract

This study tested a developmental model of cognitive performance in adolescence and explored potential mechanisms explaining the relations of early maternal stimulation and children’s anxious behaviors with adolescents’ cognitive performance. We utilized the NICHD SECCYD dataset (n?=?1,112). Measures included questionnaires, coded observations, and self-report measures from infancy to adolescence. Results revealed that children who experienced greater early maternal stimulation and less anxious behaviors had better cognitive performance at age 15. Children’s English self-efficacy, the quality of child–teacher relationships, and children’s behavioral classroom engagement in middle childhood mediated the relation between early maternal stimulation and adolescent cognitive performance. Identifying pathways from earlier maternal and children’s characteristics to children’s later cognitive performance is an important step toward further understanding why early precursors have a long lasting impact on cognitive performance, and has implications for educational settings.     

Ethical Issues in Cancer Genetics: 1) Whose Information Is It?

This article presents and discusses four clinical cases that exemplify the complexity of ethical dilemmas concerning the provider's obligation to disclose or withhold genetic information from patients. Case 1: What is the responsibility of the cancer genetics provider to ensure that a positive test results is shared with distant relatives? Case 2: To ensure that results go to at-risk relatives, do we have the right to ignore the wishes of the designated next-of-kin? Case 3: Do we have the right to reveal a familial BRCA1 mutation to a patient's relative, who is at 50% risk? Case 4: Do we have an obligation to reveal that a patient is not a blood relative and therefore, not at risk to have inherited a familial mutation? These cases form the basis for discussing the provider's dual obligations to keeping patient confidentiality and informing patients and families about risk (i.e. duty to warn). We also provide a summary of consensus points and additional discussion questions for each case.     

A survey of genetic counselors' strategies for addressing ethical and professional challenges in practice

There is limited research about ethical and professional dilemmas that genetic counselors encounter in their practice and their strategies for addressing them. In this study, 454 genetic counselors rated the frequency with which they encounter each of 16 ethical/professional challenges identified and categorized previously (McCarthy Veach P, Bartels DM, LeRoy BS (2001) J Genet Couns 10(2):97–119). Over 40% indicated these issues occurred frequently: patient emotions, diversity, financial constraints, uncertainty, and colleague error. Two hundred and fifty-five respondents provided personal anecdotes describing exceptionally challenging situations and recommended strategies for addressing them. Most of their anecdotes involved informed consent, value conflicts, confidentiality, colleague error, withholding information, and resource allocation. The most frequently recommended strategies were further discussion with patient, consultation with other professionals, and referral to other health sources. Thirty-five respondents were unable to/did not offer strategies. Respondent demographics were not related to frequency of issues, type of anecdote, or recommended strategies. Practice, policy, and research implications are discussed.     

Marriage in India: Clinical Issues

This article considers some of the common issues with which marital couples in India struggle. These issues arise from the way that Indian families are typically structured and the rules that govern family relationships. Ideas from the social constructionist and contextual approaches are suggested as helpful interventions.     

Teaching Today's Students how to Examine Ethical Issues and Be More Actively Involved in the Learning Process

In response to the difficulty of teaching an increasingly large number of students who are ill prepared for the sort of abstract thinking and well-structured essay writing that are essential to the field of Philosophy, I have discovered a five-step method for teaching students in my Philosophy and Social Ethics course how to examine any ethical issue and write well-structured essays discussing the issue. Just as important, students are now required to take more responsibility for the learning process which, I believe, is an appropriate goal for a course in Ethics.     

Genetic counseling after abnormal prenatal diagnosis: Facilitating coping in families who continue their pregnancies

Families continuing a pregnancy after abnormal prenatal diagnosis face a unique crisis. Case examples are combined with clinical observations and a review of selected literature to define the elements of this crisis. Counseling strategies are discussed that may facilitate coping. Further research is needed to define the experience, as well as to identify effective coping strategies and successful counseling approaches.     

Understanding Thai Families: A Cultural Context for Therapists Using a Structural Approach

This article describes six cultural influences that affect Thai families: religious beliefs, rural and urban considerations, family relationships, societal values, masculine and feminine roles, and sexuality. A case study of a Thai family struggling with these issues and interventions from a structural therapy perspective is presented.     

SOME ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF SHORT-TERM WORKSHOPS IN THE PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION1

Workshops and seminars to expose different sectors of the professional community to the principles and applications of behavior modification are briefly discussed. The possible misapplication of procedures by conference participants, whose only exposure to behavioral methods has been at these workshops is viewed as a potentially serious ethical issue. It is suggested that the goals of such seminars and workshops must be clarified, and methods of evaluation of the participants' skills devised, lest we contribute to the misapplication of procedures and to the criticism that behavioral methods are unethical approaches to treatment.     

Developmental and Adjustment Issues of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Adolescents: A Review of the Empirical Literature

Various studies have reported adjustment problems experienced by gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) adolescents. A primary purpose of this paper is to critically review this literature. Difficulties that have been studied include past suicide attempts, substance use and abuse, conduct problems, and academic concerns. For example, a considerable number of GLB youth report a history of suicide attempts, with prevalence rates ranging from 11 to 42%. However, among other methodological concerns, studies in this area have not used a comparison sample of heterosexual youths. Characteristics of development particular to GLB adolescents are described, the empirical research on adjustment issues is reviewed, and potential risk and protective factors for GLB youths are discussed.     

Neuropsychological rehabilitation after brain injury: Scientific and professional issues

Neuropsychological rehabilitation after acquired brain injury is an important contribution to our health-care system. Despite a growing database which supports its clinical utility, the insurance coverage for this form of care is now being threatened. This paper addresses some of the professional and scientific issues that psychologists need to face in order to continue to provide these services.Invited Address, President's Mini-Convention To Your Health: Psychology Through the Life Span, American Psychological Association Convention, New York, August 12, 1995.