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Showing papers in "Behavior Modification in 2009"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The study shows that the higher intellectual functioning in children with HFA does not compensate for the stress associated with parenting children with autism spectrum disorders, and treatment programs may need to address parental stress, which in turn will help optimize treatment outcome.
Abstract: The article discusses a study conducted to investigate the impact of children with high-functioning autism (HFA) on parental stress, sibling adjustment, and family functioning; the study involves a sample of parents of 15 children with HFA and parents of 15 matched control children who completed questionnaires measuring the dependent variables. The results indicate parents of children with HFA experience significantly more parenting stress than parents of children with no psychological disorder, which was found to be directly related to characteristics of the children. The study further shows that the higher intellectual functioning in children with HFA does not compensate for the stress associated with parenting children with autism spectrum disorders. Because the intervention efforts directed at children with HFA will not eliminate the child's primary symptoms, treatment programs may need to address parental stress, which in turn will help optimize treatment outcome for the child and the family.

356 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: VRCBT and CBT were significantly more effective than WLC in anxiety reduction on four of five anxiety measures, and on subject's self-rating of anxiety during a behavioral task.
Abstract: Public speaking anxiety (PSA) is a common phobia. Although cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is preferred, difficulties arise with the exposure component (lack of therapist control, patient's inability to imagine, self-flooding, loss of confidentiality resulting from public exposure). Virtual reality CBT (VRCBT) enables a high degree of therapist control, thus overcoming these difficulties. This study examined whether VRCBT is an alternative to CBT. Participants with PSA were randomly assigned to VRCBT (28 participants), CBT (30 participants), and wait list control (WLC; 30 participants). VRCBT and CBT were significantly more effective than WLC in anxiety reduction on four of five anxiety measures, and on subject's self-rating of anxiety during a behavioral task. No significant differences were found on observer ratings of the behavioral task. However, twice as many participants dropped out from CBT than from VRCBT. Our results demonstrated that VRCBT is an effective and brief treatment regimen, equal to CBT.

196 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Peter Sturmey1
TL;DR: There is sufficient evidence to conclude that behavioral activation is an evidence-based therapy for depression, which identified three meta-analyses, one recent randomized controlled trial and one recent follow-up of an earlier randomized control trial.
Abstract: Recent reviews of evidence-based treatment for depression did not identify behavioral activation as an evidence-based practice. Therefore, this article conducted a systematic review of behavioral activation treatment of depression, which identified three meta-analyses, one recent randomized controlled trial and one recent follow-up of an earlier randomized control trial. Behavioral activation was consistently superior to wait list and treatment as usual control groups. Effect sizes were not different from cognitive behavior therapy or cognitive therapy, both post-treatment and at follow-up. Indeed, behavioral activation may be more effective than cognitive therapy and cognitive behavior therapy in terms of lower dropout. Behavioral activation, like cognitive behavior therapy, may be superior to paroxitine because it results in less relapse and recurrence, may be substantially cheaper, and does not have risks of pharmacotherapy. There is some evidence that behavioral activation may also be useful with some people for whom cognitive and cognitive-behavior therapy is less effective, such as those with severe, lifelong depression, people with substance abuse and people with dementia and severe depression. There is now sufficient evidence to conclude that behavioral activation is an evidence-based therapy.

133 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors discuss the rationale and review potential mechanisms of action whereby exercise might benefit alcohol dependent patients in recovery, and describe the development of a 12-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program as an adjunctive intervention for alcohol dependent Patients in recovery.
Abstract: Alcohol use disorders are a major public health concern. Despite the demonstrated efficacy of a number of different treatments for alcohol dependence, relapse remains a major problem. Healthy lifestyle changes may contribute to long-term maintenance of recovery, and interventions targeting physical activity, in particular, may be especially valuable as an adjunct to alcohol treatment. In this article, the authors discuss the rationale and review potential mechanisms of action whereby exercise might benefit alcohol dependent patients in recovery. They then describe the development of a 12-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program as an adjunctive intervention for alcohol dependent patients in recovery. Preliminary data from a pilot study (N = 19) are presented, and the overall significance of this research effort is discussed.

125 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evaluated treatment outcomes of an interdisciplinary feeding program for 46 children with ASD indicated these children were treated successfully overall and follow-up data suggest gains were maintained following discharge from the program.
Abstract: There is abundant research to support that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit challenging feeding behaviors. Despite increase in empirical evidence supporting the role of behavior analysis in treating severe feeding problems, evaluation of the short- and long-term effects of these treatments for a large group of children with ASD is warranted. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate treatment outcomes of an interdisciplinary feeding program for 46 children with ASD. A retrospective chart analysis indicated these children were treated successfully overall and follow-up data suggest gains were maintained following discharge from the program.

104 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study lends support to the cognitive defusion interpretation of the effect of word repetition, suggesting that emotional discomfort and believability may be distinctive functional aspects of cognitive events.
Abstract: A previous time-series study showed that rapidly repeating a single-word version of a negative self-referential thought reduced the discomfort and the believability associated with that thought. The present parametric study examined whether durations of word repetition were differentially effective in altering the discomfort and believability of negative self-referential thought. In two studies, both discomfort and believability varied systematically with the duration of word repetition. The effects of rapid repetition on emotional discomfort bottomed out after 3 s to 10 s of rapid repetition, whereas the effects on believability did so after 20 s to 30 s of repetition. This study lends support to the cognitive defusion interpretation of the effect of word repetition, suggesting that emotional discomfort and believability may be distinctive functional aspects of cognitive events.

96 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is argued that a key limit to accomplishing this goal may be found back in the original research laboratories where these treatments were developed, and the value of basic research on core psychotherapeutic techniques and processes is focused on.
Abstract: Bridging the gap between lab and clinic has become a rallying cry for a generation of treatment researchers, and identifying and overcoming barriers to successful dissemination of best-practice treatment has become a major public mental health priority. In this review, the authors argue that a key limit to accomplishing this goal may be found back in the original research laboratories where these treatments were developed. Despite 50 years of research and 1,500 clinical trials, there are surprisingly little data on what makes youth psychotherapy therapeutic. To illustrate the problem this poses for dissemination, the adolescent depression literature is reviewed in terms of (a) critical core components of intervention and (b) basic processes through which these techniques operate. Process-outcome relationships in cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and family therapy models are examined with descriptive meta-analytic techniques. Discussion of treatment dissemination follows, focusing on the value of basic research on core psychotherapeutic techniques and processes.

94 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evaluated effectiveness of Teacher-Child Interaction Training (TCIT), an approach adapted from Eyberg’s Parent- child Interaction Therapy, suggests that TCIT is a promising approach for enhancing positive teacher-child interactions in a preschool setting and should receive further investigation.
Abstract: This research addressed the need for trained child care staff to support optimal early social-emotional development in urban, low-income, ethnic minority children. We evaluated effectiveness of Teacher-Child Interaction Training (TCIT), an approach adapted from Eyberg's Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). TCIT focuses on increasing preschool teachers' positive attention skills and consistent discipline in order to enhance children's psychosocial functioning and prevent mental health problems. A total of 12 teachers participated in small-group workshop sessions with in vivo coaching on their use of skills in the classroom. A multiple-baseline design across four classrooms (3 teachers each) evaluated effects of training on teacher behaviors during weekly classroom observations. Findings indicated systematic increases in trained skills during intervention, and consumer evaluations showed that the training was rated positively. Our results suggest that TCIT is a promising approach for enhancing positive teacher-child interactions in a preschool setting and should receive further investigation.

90 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that virtual reality is a useful vehicle for eliciting similar emotional reactions to those one would expect in real life situations and seems well suited for use in experimental studies as well as in evaluative and therapeutic contexts.
Abstract: This article explores the efficacy of virtual environments representing situations that are emotionally significant to patients with eating disorders (ED) to modify depression and anxiety levels both in these patients and in controls. Eighty-five ED patients and 108 students were randomly exposed to five experimental virtual environments (a kitchen with low-calorie food, a kitchen with high-calorie food, a restaurant with high-calorie food, a restaurant with low-calorie food, and a swimming-pool) and to one neutral environment. In the interval between the presentation of each situation, anxiety and depressed mood were assessed. Results of several repeated measures analyses demonstrated that patients show higher levels of anxiety and a more depressed mood after eating, especially high-calorie food, and after visiting the swimming pool than in the neutral room. In contrast, controls only show higher levels of anxiety in the swimming pool. In the rest of the situations they presented a similar mood state as in the neutral room. We concluded that virtual reality is a useful vehicle for eliciting similar emotional reactions to those one would expect in real life situations. Thus, this technology seems well suited for use in experimental studies as well as in evaluative and therapeutic contexts.

74 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results support the notions that social impairment remains a distinct feature of ASD in adults with ID, that autism and PDD-NOS are two conditions on the same spectrum, and that this spectrum is relevant for adults withID.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to systematically examine the social-skills profiles among adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID). Using one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), three groups (autism, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified [PDD-NOS], and ID only) were compared on seven global measures of social behavior. There were 72 individuals in each group matched on level of ID, verbal ability, age, and gender. Distinctions were noted in the areas of positive social behaviors and negative nonverbal social behaviors. Those with autism displayed the greatest deficits in these areas, followed by those with PDD-NOS. The results support the notions that social impairment remains a distinct feature of ASD in adults with ID, that autism and PDD-NOS are two conditions on the same spectrum, and that this spectrum is relevant for adults with ID. Implications of the results and directions for future research are discussed.

70 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The utility of the KEBSQ is examined, a 40-item self-report measure designed to assess reporter knowledge of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in the treatment of youth psychopathology, and results supported temporal stability, discriminative validity, and sensitivity to training.
Abstract: Although provider knowledge is a potential barrier in the dissemination of evidence-based services for youth, research in this area is currently limited by a lack of instrumentation. The present study examined the utility of the Knowledge of Evidence-Based Services Questionnaire (KEBSQ), a 40-item self-report measure designed to assess reporter knowledge of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in the treatment of youth psychopathology. The KEBSQ items encompass practice elements identified in both empirically supported and unsupported protocols used in the treatment of four prevalent childhood problem areas: anxious/avoidant, depressed/withdrawn, disruptive behavior, and attention/hyperactivity. Findings from the present investigation lend support for the basic psychometric properties of the KEBSQ. Results supported temporal stability, discriminative validity, and sensitivity to training. Practical implications to the dissemination of EBPs, areas for future research, and limitations are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: For 2 of the 3 participants, access to matched stimuli, unmatched stimuli, and music decreased immediate levels of vocal stereotypy; however, with the exception of matched stimuli for one participant, none of the stimuli produced a clear abolishing operation for subsequent vocal stereotyping.
Abstract: We used a three-component multiple-schedule with a brief reversal design to evaluate the effects of structurally unmatched and matched stimuli on immediate and subsequent vocal stereotypy that was displayed by three children with autism spectrum disorders. For 2 of the 3 participants, access to matched stimuli, unmatched stimuli, and music decreased immediate levels of vocal stereotypy; however, with the exception of matched stimuli for one participant, none of the stimuli produced a clear abolishing operation for subsequent vocal stereotypy. That is, vocal stereotypy typically increased to baseline levels shortly after alternative stimulation was removed. Detection of motivating operations for each participant's vocal stereotypy was aided by the analysis of component distributions. The results are discussed in terms of immediate and subsequent effects of preferred stimuli on automatically reinforced problem behavior.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Although coping + enhancement motivated drinkers may be at risk for problem drinking, they may be difficult to identify via personality measures.
Abstract: It is well-established that coping and enhancement drinking motives predict college student drinking and that personality traits predict drinking motives. Little is known, however, about personality and drinking patterns among individuals who drink for both enhancement and coping reasons. University students in the current study completed questionnaires assessing personality, alcohol use, and drinking motives. Past year drinkers (N=138) were categorized into one of four groups: coping, enhancement, coping + enhancement, and noninternally motivated drinkers. Drinking was lower among noninternally motivated drinkers and higher among coping motivated drinkers; coping + enhancement motivated drinkers reported drinking at levels most consistent with the coping group. Coping motivated drinkers reported higher levels of neuroticism, negative affect, and anxiety sensitivity, and lower levels of positive affect; coping + enhancement motivated drinkers were not significantly different from the other groups on personality traits. Although coping + enhancement motivated drinkers may be at risk for problem drinking, they may be difficult to identify via personality measures.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A revised self-instructional manual for teaching university students to implement a 21-component DTT procedure to teach three tasks to confederates role-playing children with autism found that students' average DTT performance improved from 52% in baseline to 88% while teaching a confederate.
Abstract: Discrete-trials teaching (DTT) is commonly used to implement applied behavior analysis treatment for children with autism. The authors investigated a revised self-instructional manual for teaching university students to implement a 21-component DTT procedure to teach three tasks to confederates role-playing children with autism. Also, as a motivational contingency, for each DTT session in which a student scored at or above 90% accuracy, they received US$10. After an average of 4.5 hr to master the training manual, students' average DTT performance improved from 52% in baseline to 88% while teaching a confederate. Students averaged 77% DTT performance during subsequent generalization sessions with a child with autism.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The application of a university—community partnership model to the problem of adapting evidence-based treatment approaches in a community mental health setting and an ongoing partnership research project concerned with the adaptation of evidence- based mental health treatments for childhood internalizing problems in community settings are described.
Abstract: This article describes the application of a university–community partnership model to the problem of adapting evidence-based treatment approaches in a community mental health setting. Background on partnership research is presented, with consideration of methodological and practical issues related to this kind of research. Then, a rationale for using partnerships as a basis for conducting mental health treatment research is presented. Finally, an ongoing partnership research project concerned with the adaptation of evidence-based mental health treatments for childhood internalizing problems in community settings is presented, with preliminary results of the ongoing effort discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that five highly effective intervention strategies were priming, self-control, training, positive reinforcement and punishment, and presenting preferential activities, and the least effective strategy was to teach perspective-taking skills.
Abstract: The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the percentage of data points exceeding the median of baseline phase (PEM) approach using data on autism treatment for illustrative purposes to compare the effectiveness of different interventions on the problem behaviors of individuals with autism. Electronic databases such as The ProQuest and Google were searched. A total of 163 articles were located, producing 1,502 effect sizes. The results demonstrate that five highly effective intervention strategies were priming, self-control, training, positive reinforcement and punishment, and presenting preferential activities. The least effective strategy was to teach perspective-taking skills. The PEM approach is recommended for use in meta-analysis for single-case experimental designs.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings suggest that researchers can employ previously underutilized patterns of consistencies and inconsistencies in outcomes effects as new resources for identifying evidence-based interventions.
Abstract: The article discusses a study involving a framework (range of possible changes [RPC] Model) developed and applied to identify patterns in consistent and inconsistent intervention outcomes effects by informant, measurement method, and method of statistical analysis to the meta-analytic study of trials testing two evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents (youth-focused cognitive-behavioral treatment for child anxiety problems; parent-focused behavioral parent training for childhood conduct problems). This article illustrates how findings gleaned from applying the RPC Model allow for unique opportunities for hypothesis generation based on the patterns of consistent outcomes effects. Based on the RPC Model, studies can be closely examined to identify the specific instances in which interventions yield robust effects, and the authors illustrate how examining effects in this way can lead to new understandings of interventions and the outcomes they produce. Findings suggest that researchers can employ previously underutilized patterns of consistencies and inconsistencies in outcomes effects as new resources for identifying evidence-based interventions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Test validity of the TPB was tested in a sample of bariatric patients and further validated its improvement over the TRA in predicting exercise adherence at different operative stages, and Perceived Behavioral Control emerged as the single-best predictor of both exercise intentions and self-reported behavior.
Abstract: Obesity is a world-wide health concern approaching epidemic proportions. Successful long-term treatment involves a combination of bariatric surgery, diet, and exercise. Social cognitive models, such as the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), are among the most commonly tested theories utilized in the prediction of exercise. As exercise is not a completely volitional behavior, it is hypothesized that the TPB is a superior theoretical model for the prediction of exercise intentions and behavior. This study tested validity of the TPB in a sample of bariatric patients and further validated its improvement over the TRA in predicting exercise adherence at different operative stages. Results generally confirmed research hypotheses. Superiority of the TPB model was validated in this sample of bariatric patients, and Perceived Behavioral Control emerged as the single-best predictor of both exercise intentions and self-reported behavior. Finally, results suggested that both subjective norms and attitudes toward exercise played a larger role in the prediction of intention and behavior than previously reported.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results suggested successful acquisition of emotion regulation skills (as evidenced by decreased thought suppression and increased acceptance of thoughts and feelings) in clinically irrelevant contexts was associated with decreases in obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Abstract: Research has highlighted the role of emotion regulation as a common factor underlying emotional disorders. The current study examined the relationship of emotion regulation skills to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. Seven participants with a principal diagnosis of OCD in a multiple-baseline across subjects design were taught the skill of prevention of emotional avoidance in the context of emotion provocation procedures to clinically irrelevant (nonspecific) cues prior to practicing this skill with clinically relevant (OCD-specific) cues. Results suggested successful acquisition of emotion regulation skills (as evidenced by decreased thought suppression and increased acceptance of thoughts and feelings) in clinically irrelevant contexts. Acquisition of this skill was associated with decreases in obsessive-compulsive symptoms, even though clinically relevant cues were not introduced during this phase. Implementation of skills in clinically relevant contexts was associated with greater reductions in OCD symptoms. Discussion focuses on implications for emotion regulatory processes in the maintenance and treatment of emotional disorders.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Strategies and efforts to disseminate trauma-focused empirically based practices in a public-sector mental health system are described to set clear goals, nurture broad-based organizational commitment and key stakeholder involvement, and implement specialty training efforts.
Abstract: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains largely untreated among adults with severe mental illnesses (SMI). The treatment of psychotic symptoms usually takes precedence in the care of adults with SMI. Such oversight is problematic in that PTSD in SMI populations is common (19%-43%), contributes a significant illness burden, and hinders mental health care. Yet few public-sector mental health agencies routinely provide specialized services for PTSD. The purpose of the article is to describe strategies and efforts to disseminate trauma-focused empirically based practices in a public-sector mental health system. Identified challenges include limited resources and commitment; knowledge deficits, attitudes, and biases; and limited practice accountability at provider, facility, and system levels. Proposed strategies for overcoming these challenges are to set clear goals, nurture broad-based organizational commitment and key stakeholder involvement, implement specialty training efforts to provide information and change attitudes, provide ongoing supervision, conduct fidelity monitoring, and ensure accountability to the extent possible.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that OCD is not associated with a knowledge deficit regarding OCD-related events but that patients feel personally more vulnerable than nonclinical controls.
Abstract: Overestimation of threat (OET) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The present study deconstructed this complex concept and looked for specific deviances in OCD relative to controls. A total of 46 participants with OCD and 51 nonclinical controls were asked: (a) to estimate the incidence rate for 20 events relating to washing, checking, positive, or negative incidents. Furthermore, they were required (b) to assess their personal vulnerability to experience each event type, and (c) to judge the degree of accompanying worry. Later, participants were confronted with the correct statistics and asked (d) to rate their degree of worry versus relief. OCD participants did not provide higher estimates for OCD-related events than healthy participants, thus rendering a knowledge deficit unlikely. The usual unrealistic optimism bias was found in both groups but was markedly attenuated in OCD participants. OCD-related events worried OCD participants more than controls. Confrontation with the correct statistics appeased OCD participants less than healthy participants. Even in the case of large initial overestimations for OCD-related events, correct information appeased OCD participants significantly less than healthy participants. Our results suggest that OCD is not associated with a knowledge deficit regarding OCD-related events but that patients feel personally more vulnerable than nonclinical controls.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Six older adults with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) were trained to recall a name—face association using the spaced retrieval technique and three booster sessions were administered at 6, 12, and 18 weeks after original training to promote long-term retention of the name— face association.
Abstract: Six older adults with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) were trained to recall a name—face association using the spaced retrieval technique. In this study, we retested these persons in a 6-month fo...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A comprehensive evidence-based treatment for substance abuse and other associated problems (Family Behavior Therapy) is described, including its application to both adolescents and adults across a wide range of clinical contexts.
Abstract: A comprehensive evidence-based treatment for substance abuse and other associated problems (Family Behavior Therapy) is described, including its application to both adolescents and adults across a wide range of clinical contexts (i.e., criminal justice, child welfare). Relevant to practitioners and applied clinical researchers, topic areas include its theoretical and empirical background, intervention protocols, methods of enhancing motivation for treatment, and future directions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A context-based model of assessment and intervention was used to explore whether interventions that modify context result in reduction of problem behavior in ecologically valid settings and demonstrated an almost complete elimination of problembehavior in the priority contexts.
Abstract: The present study used a context-based model of assessment and intervention to explore whether interventions that modify context result in reduction of problem behavior in ecologically valid settings (i.e., typical routines implemented by typical education personnel in neighborhood schools). The Contextual Assessment Inventory (CAI) and a postassessment interview were administered to parents and teachers of eight children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to identify problem contexts. Then, environmental modification techniques were implemented in three priority contexts: namely, transitions, termination of preferred activities, and presence of a feared stimulus. Our results demonstrated an almost complete elimination of problem behavior in the priority contexts as well as successful completion of activities and routines related to those contexts. We discuss the value of conceptualizing problem behavior as a function of context with respect to facilitating both assessment and intervention, and the need for enhancing breadth of effects to determine the larger impact of a context-based approach on promoting meaningful behavior change in the community.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A rubric for supervision that emphasizes case conceptualization, the use of immediacy in session, tolerating negative affect, harvesting open attitudes, cultural responsiveness, and technical proficiency is proposed.
Abstract: Empirically supported treatments (EST) hold much promise in relieving psychological distress and dysfunction. However, various obstacles to effective training and clinical practice have truncated dissemination efforts. One such obstacle is the perceived applicability of EST procedures to raw world clinical practice. This article proposes a rubric for supervision that emphasizes case conceptualization, the use of immediacy in session, tolerating negative affect, harvesting open attitudes, cultural responsiveness, and technical proficiency. Several specific training strategies and supervisory processes are recommended.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Examining the main and moderating effects of a construct labeled maternal sensitivity on youth externalizing and internalizing problems in a sample of 65 mothers with a history of depression and their 84 children ages 9-15 years indicated a significant three-way interaction among maternal depressive symptoms, maternal sensitivity, and youth gender forInternalizing problems.
Abstract: Maternal depression has been linked to deficits in parenting that contribute to youth's development of externalizing and/or internalizing problems. Maternal sensitivity has been implicated within the infant literature as a foundational aspect of parenting contributing to a child's adjustment. This study examines the main and moderating effects of a construct labeled maternal sensitivity, within the context of depressive symptoms, on youth externalizing and internalizing problems in a sample of 65 mothers with a history of depression and their 84 children ages 9-15 years. Sensitivity was related to child externalizing problems. Although two-way interactions were not significant, exploratory moderation analyses indicated a significant three-way interaction among maternal depressive symptoms, maternal sensitivity, and youth gender for internalizing problems: among girls only, high depressive symptoms, low sensitivity, and the combination of these two variables were each associated with high levels of internalizing problems.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Testing the hypothesis that individuals diagnosed with OCD share stronger latent aggression toward others, resulting in a high degree of interpersonal ambivalence results are consistent with the notion that participants with OCD show both inflated levels of (authentic) responsibility and latent aggression.
Abstract: Inflated responsibility is ascribed a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The aim of the study was to assess interpersonal attitudes and behaviors contributing to enhanced responsibility in OCD. In particular, we tested the hypothesis that individuals diagnosed with OCD share stronger latent aggression toward others, resulting in a high degree of interpersonal ambivalence. A total of 176 participants with OCD, 42 participants with anxiety or depression as well as 42 healthy controls completed the Responsibility and Interpersonal Behaviors and Attitudes Questionnaire (RIBAQ). The factor analysis confirmed three factors: (1) inflated worry/responsibility, (2) latent aggression/calculating behavior and (3) suspiciousness/distrust. Whereas the psychiatric group displayed enhanced scores relative to healthy participants regarding responsibility and suspiciousness, OCD patients achieved significantly higher scores on the latent aggression dimension relative to both control groups. Results are consistent with the notion that participants with OCD show both inflated levels of (authentic) responsibility and latent aggression.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Although the 2-factor model of the GFA has great theoretical utility and shows significant promise, confirmation within clinical samples of gamblers will be necessary to further validate the model.
Abstract: The Gambling Functional Assessment (GFA; Dixon & Johnson, 2007) is a 20-item self-report inventory identifying four potential consequences maintaining gambling behavior. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are performed for two large, nonclinical samples of university undergraduates. For the exploratory analysis, the optimal model yields two factors: Positive Reinforcement (correlated with GFA Sensory, Attention, and Tangible scores) and Negative Reinforcement (correlated with GFA Escape scores). One GFA item fails to load on either factor adequately. Factor loadings are confirmed using structural equation modeling for the second sample. The resulting model yields a mix of adequate and suboptimal fit indicators. Although the 2-factor model of the GFA has great theoretical utility and shows significant promise, confirmation within clinical samples of gamblers will be necessary to further validate the model. GFA Escape scores are uniquely distributed in the two samples and may represent functions most likely to maintain pathological gambling.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Examining children's self-reported affective and sensory states associated with hair pulling revealed that pulling hair for the first time was associated with pleasure and pain whereas recent hair pulling was related to pleasure only, suggesting that the punishing quality of hair pulling may diminish over time.
Abstract: Hair pulling in pediatric populations has not received adequate empirical study. Investigations of the affective and sensory states contributing to the etiology and maintenance of hair pulling may help to elucidate the classification of trichotillomania (TTM) as an impulse control disorder or obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder. The current study aimed to examine children's self-reported affective and sensory states associated with hair pulling. Fifteen participants completed a questionnaire assessing children's experiences during first and recent hair pulling episodes. Results revealed that pulling hair for the first time was associated with pleasure and pain whereas recent hair pulling was associated with pleasure only, suggesting that the punishing quality of hair pulling may diminish over time. The findings also support the notion that hair pulling may be maintained primarily through positive reinforcement, which is consistent with its classification as an impulse control disorder.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Intervention is found to be associated with improved staff attendance and reduced “lost wages” at a specialized school for students with developmental disabilities and practice and research implications are discussed.
Abstract: Chronic absenteeism is a problem encountered by many human services organizations. Large-scale intervention projects to reduce staff absences have incorporated applied behavior analysis methods but there are few studies in the extant literature. In the present study, the authors record staff absenteeism at a specialized school for students with developmental disabilities during a baseline phase and following implementation of a systems-change intervention that included distribution of an informational brochure, lottery-based financial incentive, and public posting. Intervention is found to be associated with improved staff attendance and reduced "lost wages." Practice and research implications are discussed.