This is a slightly edited version of a chapter to appear in a forthcoming book. It is a beginning attempt at codification of existing tools and techniques and is therefore nonexhaustive. The authors welcome feedback from readers concerning omissions and information on new techniques, references, and applicability to therapeutic settings.

Tools and techniques for diagnosis and evaluation in marital and family therapy.

Police officers, as a group, experience many occupational demands with physiological and psychological effects that could be harmful to their health. A primary objective of this study was to analyze specific behavioral and physiological risk factors that could lead to hypertension and accelerated coronary artery disease. Three hundred thirty-one male Akron City police officers participated in the study. A group of volunteer males (n = 48) who worked in city clerical jobs were used as controls. Questionnaires were administered in order to measure such behavioral variables as recent life change, life assets, and temperament pattern. Blood chemistry and physiological variables were also measured. The police officers had higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP), norepinephrine (NE) levels, and recent life change unit (LCU) scores than the control group. Increased hostility and depression scores were associated with higher DBP and recent LCU scores and lower life asset unit (LAU) scores. Individuals with...

The effect of recent life events stress, life assets, and temperament pattern on cardiovascular risk factors for Akron City police officers.

The Family Environment Scale (FES) is being used clinically to facilitate assessment, intervention and evaluation of change in family therapy. This paper illustrates the use of the scale by providing case descriptions of two typical families. Discussion of each family member's real and ideal family environment serves to identify key areas of agreement and disagreement about actual and desired aspects of family functioning. This semi-structured procedure can focus each therapy session on specific interpersonal issues and encourage each family member to take an active part in discussing problems and formulating goals.

The use of family assessment and feedback in ongoing family therapy

The purpose of this investigation is to determine if select psychological variables are associated with abusive behavior of convicted male batterers. The sample included a treatment group of 75 court-referred abusers who were individually administered the Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis (T-JTA) instrument. Explored were: (1) the relationships among personality variables and sociological and demographic characteristics, (2) possible behavioral disorders in our study group of spouse abusers, (3) whether major bipolar personality variables could distinguish our study group from the general population. Results revealed the Taylor-Johnson behavioral disorder types were not useful in identifying distinctions among our spouse abusers. However, a two-factor rotation (Internal/Emotional Balance and Social Interaction) produced results which should be of interest to programs treating batterers as well as provide a suggestive lead for future research. Battering men were found to have a restless proclivity for interaction that will be competitive and conflict-oriented in style. Their impulsiveness further suggests that their interactions will be negative in terms of evocation.

Personality traits of convicted male batterers

A preliminary assessment of assistive device (AD) utilization by adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and spinal cord injuries (SCI) was conducted during the winter, 1986. A qualitative research approach was selected over a quantitative one so that pre-selected themes would not be imposed upon the data but, rather, would emerge from the data obtained. Five males with SCI and five females with CP, all subjects having a four-quadrant involvement, were interviewed about their AD use and quality-of-life. The findings indicate that female AD users with CP emphasize the capability to do things for the first time in their lives because of their ADs. They speak in terms of gains. In contrast, male AD non-users with SCI interpret ADs as poor replacements for their own functioning and see them as reminders of loss. AD users of both disabilities see their quality-of-life as being within their control whereas non-users believe otherwise. It was concluded that increased functional capabilities gained through AD utilization and the attainment of a “normalized” quality-of-life may present users with generalized “high functioning” expectations and frustrations for which their prior socialization did not prepare them. This, coupled with little peer contact, was discussed as contributing to participants' feelings of nervousness, depression, emotional inhibition and a sense of identity confusion.

Clinton E. Phillips

Papers

Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis

Some Useful Tests for Marriage Counseling