Showing papers in "Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1997"
TL;DR: In this paper, the terms mediating and moderating are defined and differentiated, and recommended statistical strategies that can be used to test for these effects are reviewed (i.e., multiple regression and structural equation modeling techniques).
Abstract: Numerous recent attempts to identify mediated and moderated effects in child-clinical and pediatric research on child adjustment have been characterized by terminological, conceptual, and statistical inconsistencies. To promote greater clarity, the terms mediating and moderating are defined and differentiated. Recommended statistical strategies that can be used to test for these effects are reviewed (i.e., multiple regression and structural equation modeling techniques). The distinction between mediated and indirect effects is also discussed. Examples of troublesome and appropriate uses of these terms in the child-clinical and pediatric psychology literatures are highlighted.
2,625 citations
TL;DR: A preliminary examination of treatment segments suggested that the enactive exposure (when it follows cognitive-educational training) was an active force in beneficial change.
Abstract: Ninety-four children (aged 9-13 years) with anxiety disorders were randomly assigned to cognitive behavioral treatment or waiting-list control. Outcomes were evaluated using diagnostic status, child self-reports, parent and teacher reports, cognitive assessment and behavioral observation: maintenance was examined using 1-year follow-up data. Analyses of dependent measures indicated significant improvements over time, with the majority indicating greater gains for those receiving treatment. Treatment gains returned cases to within nondeviant limits (i.e., normative comparisons) and were maintained at 1-year follow-up. Client age and comorbid status did not moderate outcomes. A preliminary examination of treatment segments suggested that the enactive exposure (when it follows cognitive-educational training) was an active force in beneficial change. Discussion includes suggestions for future research.
895 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, families of 97 children with early-onset conduct problems, 4 to 8 years old, were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: a parent training treatment group (PT), a child training group (CT), a combined child and parent training group(CT + PT), or a waiting-list control group (CON).
Abstract: Families of 97 children with early-onset conduct problems, 4 to 8 years old, were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 conditions: a parent training treatment group (PT), a child training group (CT), a combined child and parent training group (CT + PT), or a waiting-list control group (CON). Posttreatment assessments indicated that all 3 treatment conditions had resulted in significant improvements in comparison with controls. Comparisons of the 3 treatment conditions indicated that CT and CT + PT children showed significant improvements in problem solving as well as conflict management skills, as measured by observations of their interactions with a best friend; differences among treatment conditions on these measures consistently favored the CT condition over the PT condition. As for parent and child behavior at home, PT and CT + PT parents and children had significantly more positive interactions, compared with CT parents and children. One-year follow-up assessments indicated that all the significant changes noted immediately posttreatment had been maintained over time. Moreover, child conduct problems at home had significantly lessened over time. Analyses of the clinical significance of the results suggested that the combined CT + PT condition produced the most significant improvements in child behavior at 1-year follow-up.
857 citations
TL;DR: Findings support a vicious cycle relationship in which substance use increases risk of future assault and assault increasesrisk of subsequent substance use, for illicit drug use.
Abstract: Women experience alarming levels of physical and sexual assault, which may lead to escalation of substance use Reciprocally, evidence from cross-sectional studies indicates that substance use may increase risk of assault To date, directionality of this relationship remains unclear This issue is addressed by the present 3-wave longitudinal study in which a national probability sample of 3,006 women were followed for 2 years Dependent measures were obtained at each wave of the study and included questions about lifetime and new assault status, alcohol abuse, and drug use Wave 1 use of drugs, but not abuse of alcohol, increased odds of new assault in the subsequent 2 years Reciprocally, after a new assault, odds of both alcohol abuse and drug use were significantly increased, even among women with no previous use or assault history For illicit drug use, findings support a vicious cycle relationship in which substance use increases risk of future assault and assault increases risk of subsequent substance use
721 citations
TL;DR: Although MST improved adolescent symptomology at posttreatment and decreased incarceration by 47% at a 1.7-year follow-up, findings for decreased criminal activity were not as favorable as observed on other recent trials of MST.
Abstract: The effects of multisystemic therapy (MST) in treating violent and chronic juvenile offenders and their families in the absence of ongoing treatment fidelity checks were examined. Across 2 public sector mental health sites, 155 youths and their families were randomly assigned to MST versus usual juvenile justice services. Although MST improved adolescent symptomology at posttreatment and decreased incarceration by 47% at a 1.7-year follow-up, findings for decreased criminal activity were not as favorable as observed on other recent trials of MST. Analyses of parent, adolescent, and therapist reports of MST treatment adherence, however, indicated that outcomes were substantially better in cases where treatment adherence ratings were high. These results highlight the importance of maintaining treatment fidelity when disseminating complex family-based services to community settings.
667 citations
TL;DR: Parent perceptions of the difficulties of participating in treatment (including stressors and obstacles associated with treatment, perceptions that treatment is not very relevant, and a poor relationship with the therapist) influenced who dropped out.
Abstract: Barriers to participation in treatment were proposed as a basis for dropping out of treatment among children seen in outpatient therapy. Families (N = 242) of children referred for treatment for oppositional, aggressive, and antisocial behavior participated. The main findings were that (a) barriers to participation in treatment contributed significantly to dropping out of therapy; (b) perceived barriers to treatment were not explained by family, parent, and child characteristics that also predicted dropping out; and (c) among families at high risk for dropping out of treatment, the perception of few barriers attenuated risk. Parent perceptions of the difficulties of participating in treatment (including stressors and obstacles associated with treatment, perceptions that treatment is not very relevant, and a poor relationship with the therapist) influenced who dropped out.
605 citations
TL;DR: Severe physical violence was more strongly associated with unemployment, low educational attainment, few social support resources, polydrug use, antisocial personality disorder symptoms, depression symptoms, and violence toward strangers for men than for women.
Abstract: This study describes partner violence in a representative sample of young adults. Physical violence perpetration was reported by 37.2% of women and 21.8% of men. Correlates of involvement in severe physical violence differed by gender. Severe physical violence was more strongly associated with unemployment, low educational attainment, few social support resources, polydrug use, antisocial personality disorder symptoms, depression symptoms, and violence toward strangers for men than for women. Women who were victims of severe physical violence were more likely than men who were victims to experience symptoms of anxiety. The findings converge with community studies showing that more women than men are physically violent toward a partner and with clinical studies highlighting violence perpetrated against women by men with deviant characteristics.
541 citations
TL;DR: Quantitative review of the controlled treatment outcome literature for obsessive-compulsive disorder showed that exposure with response prevention was highly effective in reducing OCD symptoms and cognitive approaches were also found to be at least as effective as exposure procedures.
Abstract: Quantitative review of the controlled treatment outcome literature for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) showed that exposure with response prevention was highly effective in reducing OCD symptoms. Cognitive approaches were also found to be at least as effective as exposure procedures. It appears that both cognitive and exposure interventions involve some overlapping procedures and capitalize on similar mechanisms of change. Serotonergic medication, particularly clomipramine, also substantially reduced OCD symptoms. However, clomipramine may not be particularly superior to other serotonergic medication. The relationship between side effects and effect size in medication trials was explored.
487 citations
TL;DR: Overall, the results showed that anxiety problems and disorders identified using child and teacher reports can be successfully targeted through an early intervention school-based program.
Abstract: The Queensland Early Intervention and Prevention of Anxiety Project evaluated the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral and family-based group intervention for preventing the onset and development of anxiety problems in children. A total of 1,786 7- to 14-year-olds were screened for anxiety problems using teacher nominations and children's self-report. After recruitment and diagnostic interviews, 128 children were selected and assigned to a 10-week school-based child- and parent-focused psychosocial intervention or to a monitoring group. Both groups showed improvements immediately postintervention. At 6 months follow-up, the improvement maintained in the intervention group only, reducing the rate of existing anxiety disorder and preventing the onset of new anxiety disorders. Overall, the results showed that anxiety problems and disorders identified using child and teacher reports can be successfully targeted through an early intervention school-based program.
478 citations
TL;DR: The dramatic disparity between patients' expectations and professional recommendations and the need to help patients accept more modest weight loss outcomes are illustrated.
Abstract: Expert panels and governmental guidelines now recommend that obese persons seek modest (i.e., "reasonable") reductions in body weight rather than striving for "ideal" weights. Little is known, however, about patients' views of what is a "reasonable" weight loss. This study assessed patients' goals, expectations, and evaluations of various outcomes before, during, and after 48 weeks of treatment. Before treatment, 60 obese women (99.1 +/- 12.3 kg; body mass index of 36.3 +/- 4.3 kg/ m2) defined their goal weight and 4 other weights: "dream weight"; "happy weight"; "acceptable weight"; and "disappointed weight." Goal weight averaged a 32% reduction in body weight. A 17-kg weight loss was defined as disappointed; a 25-kg loss, was acceptable. After 48 weeks of treatment and a 16-kg weight loss, 47% of patients did not achieve even a disappointed weight. These data illustrate the dramatic disparity between patients' expectations and professional recommendations and the need to help patients accept more modest weight loss outcomes.
471 citations
TL;DR: Hare et al. as mentioned in this paper investigated a potential interaction between the quality of parenting that a child receives and callous-unemotional traits in the child for predicting conduct problems.
Abstract: A sample of 6- to 13-year-old clinic-referred (n = 136} and volunteer (n = 30) participants was investigated for a potential interaction between the quality of parenting that a child receives and callous-unemotional traits in the child for predicting conduct problems. Ineffective parenting was associated with conduct problems only in children without significant levels of callous (e.g., lack of empathy, manipulativeness) and unemotional (e.g., lack of guilt, emotional constrictedness) traits. In contrast, children high on these traits exhibited a significant number of conduct problems, regardless of the quality of parenting they experienced. Results are interpreted in the context of a model that proposes that callous-unemotional traits designate a group of children with conduct problems who have distinct causal factors involved in the development of their problematic behavior. Hare, Harpur, and their colleagues developed a two-factor model of psychopathy that has been shown to be useful for studying severe and chronic patterns of adult antisocial behavior (Hare, Hart, & Harpur, 1991; Harpur, Hare, & Hakstian, 1989). The model specifies two partially independent psychological dimensions: One dimension includes the interpersonal characteristics (such as superficial charm, callous use of others, absence of empathy) and emotional style (absence of guilt, shallow emotions, lack of anxiety) that have been hallmarks of the psychopathic personality (see Cleckley, 1976; McCord & McCord, 1964). The second dimension includes the unstable and antisocial lifestyle (such as multiple marriages, poor employment history, multiple arrests, aggression) that defines antisocial personality disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Several studies have shown that these two dimensions are separable through factor analysis and, more importantly, they have different correlates that could suggest divergent etiologies (Hare et al., 1990; Harpur, Hakstian, & Hare, 1988; Harpur et al., 1989). This two-factor model was tested in clinic-referr ed children and, consistent with the findings in adult samples, two separable psychological dimensions emerged in factor analyses (Prick, O'Brien, Wootton, & McBurnett, 1994). One dimension involved a callous-unemotional (CU) interpersonal style, and the second dimension involved poor impulse control and conduct problems. This second dimension was highly associated with traditional behavioral definitions of conduct problems such as definitions of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder (CD) from the revised third edition of the Diagnostic and
TL;DR: In this paper, psychological sequelae are examined in 130 former childhood leukemia patients and 155 comparison participants and their parents and their major dependent variables are symptoms of anxiety and posttraumatic stress, family functioning, and social support.
Abstract: Psychological sequelae are examined in 130 former childhood leukemia patients and 155 comparison participants and their parents. The major dependent variables are symptoms of anxiety and posttraumatic stress, family functioning, and social support. Multivariate analyses of covariance indicated significantly more posttraumatic stress symptoms in mothers and fathers of childhood leukemia survivors (p < .001) and no differences between survivors and peers. There were no significant group differences for family functioning or social support, although they were associated with anxiety and posttraumatic stress outcomes. Current child age, age at diagnosis, and months off treatment were not significantly correlated with outcome. These findings document the long-term impact of childhood cancer treatment on parents. The lack of significant differences for survivors argues for further attention to the relevance of posttraumatic stress disorder for childhood cancer survivors. The clinical implications are that psychological interventions are needed during and after cancer treatment.
TL;DR: Posttest results indicated highly significant changes in the treatment group on all outcome measures, and analysis of data from 6- and 12-month follow-ups revealed maintenance of therapeutic gains.
Abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral treatment package for pathological gambling. Twenty-nine men who met criteria for pathological gambling in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., revised; DSM-III-R; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) were randomly assigned to treatment or wait-list control. The treatment included 4 components: (a) cognitive correction of erroneous perceptions about gambling, (b) problem-solving training, (c) social skills training, and (d) relapse prevention. The dependent variables were the South Oaks Gambling Screen, perception of control, frequency of gambling, perceived self-efficacy, desire to gamble, and number of DSM-III-R criteria met by participants. Posttest results indicated highly significant changes in the treatment group on all outcome measures, and analysis of data from 6- and 12-month follow-ups revealed maintenance of therapeutic gains. Recommendations for clinical interventions are discussed and focus on the cognitive correction of erroneous perceptions of gambling.
TL;DR: Longitudinal latent growth models were used to examine the relation between changes in adolescent alcohol use and changes in peer alcohol use over a 3-year period in a community-based sample of 363 Hispanic and Caucasian adolescents and results are inconsistent with models positing solely unidirectional effects.
Abstract: Longitudinal latent growth models were used to examine the relation between changes in adolescent alcohol use and changes in peer alcohol use over a 3-year period in a community-based sample of 363 Hispanic and Caucasian adolescents. Both adolescent alcohol use and peer alcohol use were characterized by positive linear growth over time. Not only were changes in adolescent alcohol use closely related to changes in peer alcohol use, but the initial status on peer alcohol use was predictive of later increases in adolescent alcohol use and the initial status on adolescent alcohol use was predictive of later increases in peer alcohol use. These results are inconsistent with models positing solely unidirectional effects between adolescent alcohol use and peer alcohol use.
TL;DR: Younger and older probands with ADHD were significantly impaired on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Stroop test, and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure, regardless of various psychiatric and cognitive comorbidities.
Abstract: Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is known to have neuropsychological consequences that are evident from psychological tests and measures of school failure. However, most available data are based on studies of preadolescent children. For a developmental perspective, older (> or = 15 years) and younger (< 15 years) children with ADHD were assessed. Participants were 118 male participants, ages 9 to 22 years, with ADHD and 99 male controls. Younger and older probands with ADHD were significantly impaired on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Stroop test, and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure, regardless of various psychiatric and cognitive comorbidities. Longitudinal research is needed to test the hypothesis that neuropsychological dysfunctions persist in ADHD into adulthood.
TL;DR: The authors used a hand-held computer to record smoking lapse episodes from 127 participants who had quit smoking, and lapses and temptations were recorded in near-real time using a computer.
Abstract: Research and treatment assessments often rely on retrospective recall of events. The accuracy of recall was tested using accounts of smoking lapse episodes from 127 participants who had quit smoking, and lapses and temptations were recorded in near-real time using a hand-held computer. These computer records were compared with retrospective accounts elicited 12 weeks later, with a focus on recall of lapses in 4 content domains: mood, activity, episode Triggers, and abstinence violation effects. Recall of lapses was quite poor: Average kappas for items ranged from 0.18 to 0.27. Mean profile rs assessing recall for the overall pattern of behavior were .36, .30, .33, and .44 for these domains, respectively. In recall, participants overestimated their negative affect and the number of cigarettes they had smoked during the lapse, and their recall was influenced by current smoking status. The findings suggest caution in the use of recall in research and intervention.
TL;DR: Results indicated that increased affiliation with AA predicted better outcomes, and the effects of AA affiliation was related to maintenance of self-efficacy and motivation, as well as to increased active coping efforts.
Abstract: Relatively little is known about how substance abuse treatment facilitates positive outcomes. This study examined the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of affiliation with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) after treatment. Patients (N = 100) in intensive 12-step substance abuse treatment were assessed during treatment and at 1- and 6-month follow-ups. Results indicated that increased affiliation with AA predicted better outcomes. The effects of AA affiliation were mediated by a set of common change factors. Affiliation with AA after treatment was related to maintenance of self-efficacy and motivation, as well as to increased active coping efforts. These processes, in turn, were significant predictors of outcome. Findings help to illustrate the value of embedding a test of explanatory models in an evaluation study.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined perceived benefit and mental health adjustment after three different types of disaster, including hurricanes, mass killing, and plane crash, and found that the perceived benefit moderated the effect of severity of disaster exposure on mental health diagnosis change over time.
Abstract: The study of growth and perceived benefit after traumatic events has been hailed as one of the most promising directions for stress research. This research, however, has been limited by several methodological limitations. These limitations are addressed in this prospective study, which examines perceived benefit and mental health adjustment after 3 different types of disaster. Survivors of a tornado in Madison, Florida, had the highest rates of perceived benefit, followed by survivors of a mass killing in Killeen, Texas, and survivors of a plane crash in Indianapolis, Indiana. Perceived benefit 4-6 weeks postdisaster predicted posttraumatic stress disorder 3 years later. Perceived benefit moderated the effect of severity of disaster exposure on mental health diagnosis change over time. Without perceived benefit, as exposure severity increased, the amount of recovery decreased. If benefit was perceived, as exposure severity increased, the amount of recovery increased. Implications for clinical interventions and future research are discussed.
TL;DR: An intervention designed to foster forgiveness was implemented with postabortion men, which demonstrated a significant gain in forgiveness and significant reductions in anxiety, anger, and grief as compared with controls.
Abstract: An intervention designed to foster forgiveness was implemented with postabortion men. Participants were randomly assigned to either the treatment or the control (wait list) condition, which received treatment after a 12-week waiting period. Following treatment, the participants demonstrated a significant gain in forgiveness and significant reductions in anxiety, anger, and grief as compared with controls. Similar significant findings were evident among control participants after they participated in the treatment. Maintenance of psychological benefits among the 1st set of participants was demonstrated at a 3-month follow-up.
TL;DR: The relationship between the therapeutic alliance and treatment participation and drinking outcomes during and after treatment was evaluated among alcoholic outpatient and aftercare clients in this paper, showing that ratings of the working alliance, whether provided by the client or therapist, were significant predictors of treatment participation, after a variety of other sources of variance were controlled.
Abstract: The relationship between the therapeutic alliance and treatment participation and drinking outcomes during and after treatment was evaluated among alcoholic outpatient and aftercare clients. In the outpatient sample, ratings of the working alliance, whether provided by the client or therapist, were significant predictors of treatment participation and drinking behavior during the treatment and 12-month posttreatment periods, after a variety of other sources of variance were controlled. Ratings of the alliance by the aftercare clients did not predict treatment participation or drinking outcomes. Therapists ratings of the alliance in the aftercare sample predicted only percentage of days abstinent during treatment and follow-up. The results document the independent contribution of the therapeutic alliance to treatment participation and outcomes among alcoholic outpatients.
TL;DR: The comparative effectiveness of 12-step and cognitive-behavioral models of substance abuse treatment was examined among 3,018 patients from 15 programs at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, and the finding of equal effectiveness was consistent over several treatment subgroups.
Abstract: The comparative effectiveness of 12-step and cognitive-behavioral (C-B) models of substance abuse treatment was examined among 3,018 patients from 15 programs at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Across program types, participants showed significant improvements in functioning from treatment admission to a 1-year follow-up. Although 12-step patients were somewhat more likely to be abstinent at the 1-year follow-up, 12-step, C-B, and combined 12-Step-C-B treatment programs were equally effective in reducing substance use and improving most other areas of functioning. The finding of equal effectiveness was consistent over several treatment subgroups: Patients attending the "purest" 12-step and C-B treatment programs, and patients who had received the "full dose" of treatment. Also, patients with only substance abuse diagnoses, those with concomitant psychiatric diagnoses, and patients who were mandated to treatment showed similar improvement at the 1-year follow-up, regardless of type of treatment received. These data provide important new evidence supporting the effectiveness of 12-step treatment.
TL;DR: This paper found that panic patients were more likely to interpret ambiguous autonomic sensations as signs of immediately impending physical or mental disaster and more likely than other anxiety disorder patients and nonpatients to believe these interpretations.
Abstract: Cognitive accounts of panic predict that panic disorder patients will be particularly prone to misinterpret autonomic sensations. Several studies have produced results consistent with this prediction, but each is open to alternative interpretation. To clarify matters, 2 studies administered the Body Sensations Interpretation Questionnaire (BSIQ) to panic patients and controls. Panic patients were more likely to interpret ambiguous autonomic sensations as signs of immediately impending physical or mental disaster and were more likely than other anxiety disorder patients and nonpatients to believe these interpretations. In a 3rd study, a brief version of the BSIQ was shown to have satisfactory test-retest reliability, to change with treatment, and to discriminate treatments that varied in their effects on panic.
TL;DR: Investigating whether body vigilance is exaggerated among those with panic disorder, a condition characterized by intense fear and worry regarding bodily sensations, found anxiety sensitivity was found to be related to body vigilance and to predict changes in body vigilance during treatment.
Abstract: Body vigilance, consciously attending to internal cues, is a normal adaptive process. The present report investigated whether body vigilance is exaggerated among those with panic disorder, a condition characterized by intense fear and worry regarding bodily sensations. The Body Vigilance Scale is validated in nonclinical and anxiety disorder samples. Study 1 suggests that body vigilance is normally distributed in a nonclinical sample (n = 472) but vigilance is related to a history of spontaneous panic attacks, anxiety symptomatology, and anxiety sensitivity. Study 2 suggests that body vigilance is elevated in panic disorder patients (n = 48) relative to social phobia patients (n = 18) and nonclinical controls (n = 71). During cognitive-behavioral treatment, panic disorder patients show substantial reductions in body vigilance associated with reductions in anxiety symptomatology. Anxiety sensitivity was found to be related to body vigilance and to predict changes in body vigilance during treatment.
TL;DR: Results indicate that cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective in the treatment of patients with obsessive thoughts, a group that has often been considered resistant to treatment.
Abstract: Twenty-nine patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder as diagnosed in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., revised; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) who did not have overt compulsive rituals were randomly assigned to treatment and waiting-list conditions. Patients in the treatment condition received cognitive-behavioral therapy consisting of a detailed explanation of the occurrence and maintenance of obsessive thoughts, exposure to obsessive thoughts, response prevention of all neutralizing strategies, cognitive restructuring, and relapse prevention. Compared with waiting-list patients, treated patients improved significantly on measures of severity of obsessions, current functioning, self-report obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and anxiety. When waiting-list patients were subsequently treated, the combined group improved on all outcome measures. Treatment gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Results indicate that cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective in the treatment of patients with obsessive thoughts, a group that has often been considered resistant to treatment.
TL;DR: Elementary school children with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms were randomly assigned to a control group or an 8-session Primary and Secondary Control Enhancement Training program, which focused on primary control and secondary control, and treated children showed greater reductions than the control group in depressive symptomatology.
Abstract: Elementary school children with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms were randomly assigned to a control group or an 8-session Primary and Secondary Control Enhancement Training program. The program focused on (a) primary control (changing objective conditions to fit one's wishes; e.g., through activity selection and goal attainment) and (b) secondary control (changing oneself to buffer the impact of objective conditions; e.g., altering depressogenic thinking, practicing mood-enhancing cognitions). At immediate posttreatment and 9-month follow-up, the treatment group showed greater reductions than the control group in depressive symptomatology on the Children's Depression Inventory and the Revised Children's Depression Rating Scale, and treated children, more than controls, shifted from above to within the normal range on both measures. Future research is needed to test treatment effects with severely depressed youths.
TL;DR: Significant improvement in children's skill knowledge and in parent reports of social skills and disruptive behavior occurred for both treatment groups relative to the wait-list control group and maintained at a 4-month follow-up.
Abstract: The effectiveness of brief social skills training (SST) was evaluated in a controlled outcome study with 27 children meeting criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., revised; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) for an attention deficit disorder. Children were randomly assigned to either SST with parent-mediated generalization (SST-PG), child-only SST, or a wait-list control group. SST consisted of 8 group sessions in which skill modules were taught sequentially. Parents of children in the SST-PG group simultaneously participated in group generalization training designed to support their children's transfer of skills. Significant improvement in children's skill knowledge and in parent reports of social skills and disruptive behavior occurred for both treatment groups relative to the wait-list control group and maintained at a 4-month follow-up. More modest evidence was found for generalization of SST to the school setting.
TL;DR: The authors review a specific open-ended protocol analysis for assessing cognitive structures and processes--the thought-listing technique and discusses new and potentially useful methods for mapping cognitive representations and coping processes on the basis of data from thought listings in clinical and counseling psychology.
Abstract: Open-ended cognitive assessment techniques have helped illuminate the cognitive structures and processes underlying various clinical problems. The authors review a specific open-ended protocol analysis for assessing cognitive structures and processes-the thought-listing technique. They begin with a brief description of this technique and its validity, limitations, and potential clinical use. They then review representative research using the thought-listing technique in studies of psychopathology and psychotherapy. They conclude with a discussion of new and potentially useful methods (e.g., adjusted ratio of clustering scores, multidimensional scaling, implicit memory measures) for mapping cognitive representations and coping processes on the basis of data from thought listings in clinical and counseling psychology.
TL;DR: Treated women increased their knowledge and risk awareness, strengthened their intentions to adopt safer sexual practices, communicated their intentions with partners, reduced substance use proximal to sexual activities, and engaged in fewer acts of unprotected vaginal intercourse.
Abstract: This research evaluated a motivation-based HIV risk reduction intervention for economically disadvantaged urban women. Participants completed a survey that assessed HIV-related knowledge, risk perceptions, behavioral intentions, sexual communication, substance use, and risk behavior. A total of 102 at-risk women (76% African American) were randomly assigned to either the risk reduction intervention or to a waiting list. Women were reassessed at 3 and 12 weeks. Results indicated that treated women increased their knowledge and risk awareness, strengthened their intentions to adopt safer sexual practices, communicated their intentions with partners, reduced substance use proximal to sexual activities, and engaged in fewer acts of unprotected vaginal intercourse. These effects were observed immediately, and most were maintained at follow-up.
TL;DR: It was found that social disability at baseline in boys with ADHD was a significant predictor of later conduct disorder and most substance use disorders after baseline mood and conduct disorders and behavior checklist ratings of aggressive behavior and attention problems were controlled.
Abstract: IQ-achievement discrepancy methodology similar to that used in defining learning disabilities has recently been used to identify a subset of boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) evidencing marked impairment in social functioning. In this study, 2 issues were examined: (a) What is the longitudinal outcome of boys with ADHD identified at baseline as "socially disabled"? (b) Is social disability at baseline a significant predictor of severe long-term outcomes (such as substance use disorders) in boys with ADHD? If so, are its predictive relationships accounted for by conditions that are comorbid with ADHD? Results showed that, at follow-up, boys with ADHD who also had social disability evidenced significantly higher rates of mood, anxiety, disruptive, and substance use disorders, compared with nonsocially disabled boys with ADHD and comparison boys without ADHD. Findings also showed that social disability at baseline in boys with ADHD was a significant predictor of later conduct disorder and most substance use disorders after baseline mood and conduct disorders and behavior checklist ratings of aggressive behavior and attention problems were controlled.
TL;DR: The data support a unified construct model for younger children and are consistent with either a dual factor or a tripartite model of depression and anxiety in older children.
Abstract: Teacher, parent, peer, and self-ratings of depression and anxiety symptoms were obtained from 280 3rd-grade and 211 6th-grade children. Confirmatory factor analysis of these multitrait-multimethod data for 3rd graders revealed low but statistically significant levels of convergent validity, high levels of method variance, and an extremely high correlation between the depression and anxiety factors, even after controlling for shared method variance. Similar analyses of 6th graders revealed slightly higher levels of convergent validity and a somewhat smaller correlation between the depression and anxiety factors. The data support a unified construct model for younger children and are consistent with either a dual factor or a tripartite model of depression and anxiety in older children.