Monthly Archives: June 2012

Abstract   Language-impaired individuals with autism perform poorly on tests such as non-word repetition that are sensitive clinical markers of specific language impairment (SLI). This has fuelled the theory that language impairment in autism represents a co-morbid SLI. However, the underlying cause of these deficits may be different in each disorder. In a novel task, we manipulated non-word stimuli in three ways known to influence the repetition accuracy of children with SLI. Participants with SLI were affected differently by these manipulations …

Child & Family Behavior Therapy, Volume 34, Issue 2, Page 156-162, April-June 2012.

Abstract   We hypothesized that the amount of positive experiences at work (job satisfaction, pleasure, engagement, meaning) is a function of the extent to which the situational circumstances at the workplace allow for the application of an individual’s signature character strengths. For the description of the individual a reliable and valid instrument already exists, but not for the environment. Hence, the newly developed Applicability of Character Strengths Rating Scales (ACS-RS) with information on its reliability and validity were also presented. A …

Abstract: Background: The incidence of dementia in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not fully known, and previous studies have provided a wide range of rates owing to variations in diagnostic criteria and methodologies used. We estimated the risk of dementia in newly diagnosed cases of PD in a population-based cohort of subjects aged >65 years.Methods: We performed repetitive systematic screening of PD diagnosis, cognitive performances, and clinical dementia during 15 years (at year 0, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 15) in …

Objective Given the inconsistent relationship between stress and metabolic control, the purpose of this study was to empirically derive patterns of perceived diabetes-related stress among youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and determine if these patterns relate to overall diabetes-related stress levels and metabolic control. Method A sample of 204 youth with T1DM completed the diabetes stress questionnaire, and their hemoglobin A1c (a long-term measure of metabolic control) was obtained from their medical record. Results Latent profile analyses revealed …

This article reflects on the important sociological contribution made by Manuel Castells. The potential implications for social work theory and practice are considered, especially in relation to his theories of networks and power. The article acknowledges Castells’s thesis that we are witnessing a ‘transformational’ phase in social development, as ‘networks’ become fundamentally significant as a vehicle for ordering and shaping human lives. The interactions within and between social networks are considered, especially in relation to the domains of social work …

This investigation examined the relationship of abuse-specific coping strategies and perceived responses to abuse disclosure to symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress among 131 women seeking a protection order against an intimate partner. Disengagement, denial, and self-blame coping strategies, as well as blaming of the participant by others, were associated with greater depressive and posttraumatic symptoms. None of the strategies of coping or responses to abuse disclosure were negatively related to depressive or posttraumatic stress symptoms. Findings suggest that mental …

Abstract   Our goal was to explore the perceived determinants of obesity in Brazilian, Latin American and Haitian women. This is part of an ongoing community-based participatory intervention. Focus groups by immigrant group were conducted and themes extracted. Women expressed differences in beliefs, attitudes, and barriers regarding diet and physical activity in the US versus their home country. Participants thought food in the US is “less natural,” there is less time for preparation, and there is more variety. The weather is …

Abstract   Health literacy (HL) is associated with preventive health behaviors. Self-efficacy is a predictor of health behavior, including physical activity (PA); however, causal pathways between HL and self-efficacy for PA are unknown, especially among Latinas who are at risk for chronic disease. To explore this potential relationship, secondary analyses were conducted on data [Shortened Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (STOFHLA), PA self-efficacy, and socio-demographics] from a 6-month, randomized controlled trial of a print-based PA intervention (n = 89 Spanish-speaking Latinas). …

Abstract   Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is related to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Smokers are at greater risk than nonsmokers of becoming insulin resistant and to develop cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to explore the association between cigarette smoking, MetSyn and its components among Puerto Rican adults. A representative sample of 856 persons aged 21–79 years from the San Juan Metropolitan area participated in this study. Demographic and lifestyle characteristics, including smoking habits, were gathered from a …

Abstract   Testing of REBT theory in the work environment is a relatively new research domain, with few promising studies, especially in the context of occupational stress. The aim of this study is to explore the role that irrational and rational beliefs play, as factors of cognitive appraisal, in the development of some of the occupational stress indicators, as well as possible interaction between stressful working conditions and irrational beliefs. A sample of 221 Serbian employees, mostly from the private and …

Abstract   This study assessed the combined effects of coping style and intra-procedural information on indices of distress (physiological measures, observed distress, self-report measures of anxiety and affect) among a group of patients undergoing colposcopy. High and low monitors were exposed to one of three interventions: high information (live video feed of colposcopy); low information (complete audiovisual distraction); and control. Results revealed a 2 (monitoring style) × 3 (information level) × 2 (time) interaction for systolic blood pressure (SBP), F(2, 111) = 3.55, p = .032. Among low monitors, …

Abstract   From the mid-1980s onwards, US courts have seen a dramatic increase in personal injury and criminal cases alleging harm caused by sexual abuse whose memories were “recovered” after decades of forgetting. These recovered memory claims were countered by the defense that they were false memories. Three types of personal injury cases have been the center of media attention: (1) adult daughters suing their fathers for alleged childhood incest; (2) families and patients suing psychotherapists for allegedly suggesting false incest …

Abstract   Maternal and newborn death is common in Sierra Leone; significant reductions in both maternal and newborn mortality require universal access to a skilled attendant during labor and delivery. When too few women use health facilities MDGs 4 and 5 targets will not be met. Our objectives were to identify why women use services provided by TBAs as compared to health facilities; and to suggest strategies to improve utilization of health facilities for maternity and newborn care services. Qualitative data …

Abstract   The primary purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of low-income women considered high priority for receiving the novel influenza A (H1N1) vaccine to improve communication in emergency preparedness and response. Researchers sought to identify the factors that affect this high priority population’s ability to successfully comply with vaccination recommendations. By utilizing an existing communication framework through the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) they were able to document …

Abstract   Whether women’s orgasm is an adaptation is arguably the most contentious question in the study of the evolution of human sexuality. Indeed, this question is a veritable litmus test for adaptationism, separating those profoundly impressed with the pervasive and myriad correspondences between organisms’ phenotypes and their conditions of life from those who apply the “onerous concept” of adaptation with more caution, skepticism or suspicion. Yet, the adaptedness of female orgasm is a question whose answer will elucidate mating dynamics …

Who Needs to Understand Hook Up Culture? Content Type Journal Article Category Media Review Pages 1-3 DOI 10.1007/s11199-012-0172-0 Authors Maureen C. McHugh, Department of Psychology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Uhler Hall, Indiana, PA 15705, USA Becky Pearlson, Department of Psychology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Uhler Hall, Indiana, PA 15705, USA Andrea Poet, Department of Psychology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Uhler Hall, Indiana, PA 15705, USA Journal Sex Roles Online ISSN 1573-2762 Print ISSN 0360-0025

Abstract   The purpose of this study was to examine 1) the extent to which the gender marketing of toys on the Internet replicates findings of previous studies of the gendering of toys, and 2) the extent to which toys for “both boys and girls”, a previously overlooked category of toys, share characteristics, such as color and type of toy, with toys marketed for “boys only” or for “girls only”. The sample consisted of the 410 toys listed for boys and …

Abstract   This study examined the Theory of Mind (ToM) ability of schizophrenic persons in association with other cognitive functions like memory, executive functioning and attention. Results showed evidence of relationship between ToM and cognitive functions i.e. executive function, working memory and intelligence but no uniform predictive model was found across all the ToM tasks. It was also noted that predicting variables related to different cognitive domains varied markedly for schizophrenia and control groups. It seems that there are multiple cognitive …

Abstract   The effect of imagery based strategy training on retention in children of 9–10 years age (n = 60) was investigated. The imagery instructed group evinced greater recall than the control group on measures of accuracy and speed of recall. Also the recall performance of girls was better during training and maintenance sessions. The speed of recall was significantly faster in the imagery instructed group as compared to control group. As found in the follow up the strategy instructed group continued to use …

Abstract   Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorders (ADHD) and Autistic-Spectrum-Disorders (ASD) share overlapping clinical and cognitive features that may confuse the diagnosis. Evaluation of executive problems and planning dysfunction may aid the clinical diagnostic process and help disentangle the neurobiological process underlying these conditions. This study evaluates the planning function problems in 80 male children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and 23 male children and adolescents with ASD using the Zoo Map Task; both groups were comparable in terms of age and IQ. The relationship …

Abstract   Despite evidence that neighborhoods confer both risk and resilience for youth development, the existing neighborhood research has a number of methodological limitations including lack of diversity in neighborhoods sampled and neighborhood characteristics assessed. The purpose of this study was to address these methodological limitations of existing research and to examine the relationship of neighborhood structural and social characteristics to family-level social processes and teacher-reported social competence during early adolescence. The study sample of 3,624 fifth graders (51 % girls) was …

Abstract   This study aimed to establish potential mechanisms through which economic disadvantage contributes to the development of young children’s internalizing and externalizing problems. Prospective data from fetal life to age 3 years were collected in a total of 2,169 families participating in the Generation R Study. The observed physical home environment, the provision of learning materials in the home, maternal depressive symptoms, parenting stress, and harsh disciplining practices were all analyzed as potential mediators of the association between economic disadvantage and …

Erratum to: Youth Appraisals of Inter-parental Conflict and Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Examination of GxE Effects in a Twin Sample Content Type Journal Article Category Erratum Pages 1-1 DOI 10.1007/s10802-012-9652-5 Authors Molly Nikolas, Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, E112 SSH, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA Kelly L. Klump, Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 107B Psychology Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA S. Alexandra Burt, Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 107D Psychology Building, East …

Abstract   The Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory-Short Version (YPI-S; van Baardewijk et al., 2010) is a self-report measure to assess psychopathic-like traits in adolescents. The aim of the present study is to investigate the factor structure, the internal consistency, and the criterion validity of the YPI-S in 768 Belgian community adolescents (45.4 % males). In general, our study supported the YPI three factor structure while relevant indices showed that the instrument is internally consistent. In addition, relations between the YPI-S total score …

Abstract   Although it is still unclear what causes autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), over time researchers and clinicians have become more precise with detecting and diagnosing ASD. Many diagnoses, however, are based on the criteria established within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM); thus, any change in these diagnostic criteria can have a great effect upon children with ASD and their families. It is predicted that the prevalence of ASD diagnoses will dramatically decrease with the adoption of …

Abstract   The current revolution, that could pass us by if we are not prepared to join it, is a consumer-directed, technologically driven revolution in the way we receive, process, and use information. Today, the knowledge we need—as business owners, healthcare consumers, and informed citizens—is literally in the palm of our hands. The future has arrived and we cannot be late to the dance. Citizen science, integration, and data-driven care will shape our future. Healthcare leaders must be comfortable with complexity …

Abstract Objective: Set-shifting difficulties are documented for adults with anorexia nervosa (AN). However, AN typically onsets in adolescents and it is unclear if set-shifting difficulties are a result of chronic AN or present earlier in its course. This study examined whether adolescents with short duration AN demonstrated set-shifting difficulties compared to healthy controls (HC). Method: Data on set-shifting collected from the Delis-Kaplan executive functioning system and Wisconsin card sort task (WCST) as well as eating psychopathology were collected from 32 …

This study developed and tested a relational theory of positive and negative gossip about managers. It is argued that spreading information about managers depends on trust in organizations, more specifically the employees’ generalized and interpersonal trust in managers and colleagues. Hypotheses were tested by conducting two studies in a medium-sized Dutch child care organization, namely, an employee survey (N = 132) and a network study at two sites (N = 58). Multiple regressions and cross-sectional social network analysis (exponential random …

International Journal of Culture and Mental Health, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 1-9, Ahead of Print.

Abstract   Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) groups are challenged by high attrition particularly in early sessions. This leads to disturbances in the composition of the groups and potential dissatisfaction. In order to support patients in their decision about participation and to accommodate the program to psychiatric patients, an adapted version of MBCT was developed with nine instead of 8 weekly units, reduced duration of some exercises, and patients invited to make an active decision about continuing with the program or leaving …

Abstract   The objectives of this study were (1) to develop a Japanese version of Mother-to- Infant Bonding Scale Japanese version (MIBS-J) based on Kumar’s Mother Infant Bonding Questionnaire that could be used to screen the general population for problems in the mother’s feelings towards her new baby and to validate it for clinical use and (2) to examine the factor structure of the items and create subscales of the questionnaire for the Japanese version. The MIBS-J is a simple self-report …

Abstract   Little is known about the biopsychosocial determinants that predict postpartum treatment outcome for mood and anxiety disorders. Postpartum mood and anxiety symptoms and psychosocial/biological variables were recorded for 8 months of 22 women treated with antidepressants during pregnancy. Depression scores decreased by 58 %, whereas anxiety scores decreased by 35 %. Family history of psychiatric illness and prior psychiatric illness unrelated to pregnancy predicted depressive treatment outcome, and sexual abuse history and prior psychiatric illness unrelated to pregnancy predicted anxiety outcome. Biological …

Who are we missing? Non-participation in an Internet intervention trial for depression and anxiety in adolescents Content Type Journal Article Category Letter to the Editor Pages 1-3 DOI 10.1007/s00787-012-0295-4 Authors Willemijn Hoek, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, EMGO+ Institute, VU University, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands Floor Aarts, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, EMGO+ Institute, VU University, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands Josien Schuurmans, …

Abstract   The aims of this paper were to develop an internet-based support and coaching model for young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and to validate the model. A user-centred design was applied to develop a model for internet-based support and coaching, where individuals received 8-week support via internet (chat). The model was validated by 10 individuals, 15–26 years of age, with ASD and/or ADHD. Self-report questionnaires [Sense of Coherence (SOC), the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, the …

Abstract   The developmental cognitive neuroscience literature has grown exponentially over the last decade. This paper reviews the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) literature on brain function development of typically late developing functions of cognitive and motivation control, timing and attention as well as of resting state neural networks. Evidence shows that between childhood and adulthood, concomitant with cognitive maturation, there is progressively increased functional activation in task-relevant lateral and medial frontal, striatal and parieto-temporal brain regions that mediate these higher …

Journal of Child Psychotherapy, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 1-4, Ahead of Print.

To test for group differences in growth trajectories in mixed (fixed and random effects) models, researchers frequently interpret the coefficient of Group-by-Time product terms. While this practice is straightforward in linear mixed models, it is less so in generalized linear mixed models. Using both an empirical example and synthetic data, we show that the coefficient of Group-by-Time product terms in a specific class of mixed models—mixed Poisson models for count outcome variables—estimates the group difference in slope as the multiplicative …

In this article, we extend the propensity score method by matching on multiple groups. Using data from first wave (1987–1988) and third wave (2001–2003) of National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH), we match married individuals with no premarital cohabitation, single premarital cohabitation with the spouse, and serial premarital cohabitations, and apply Cox proportional hazards models to explore how premarital cohabitation history affects marital disruption. Our results indicate that both selection and causation help explain the relationship. The selection effect …

Past research in both the transitions to adulthood literature and cultural sociology more broadly suggests that the working class relies on traditional cultural models in their construction of identity. In the contemporary post-industrial world, however, traditional life pathways are now much less available to working-class men and women. I draw on 93 interviews with black and white working-class young people in their 20s to 30s and ask, in an era of increasing uncertainty, where traditional markers of adulthood have become …

Contemporary Social Science, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 1-15, Ahead of Print.

Social Identities, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 1-20, Ahead of Print.

Social Identities, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 1-13, Ahead of Print.

This study explored a computerized adaptive test delivery algorithm for latent class identification based on the mixture Rasch model. Four item selection methods based on the Kullback–Leibler (KL) information were proposed and compared with the reversed and the adaptive KL information under simulated testing conditions. When item separation was large, all item selection methods did not differ evidently in terms of accuracy in classifying examinees into different latent classes and estimating latent ability. However, when item separation was small, two …

A Monte Carlo study was conducted to examine the accuracy of differential item functioning (DIF) detection using the differential functioning of items and tests (DFIT) method. Specifically, the performance of DFIT was compared using “testwide” critical values suggested by Flowers, Oshima, and Raju, based on simulations involving large numbers of DIF-free items, with item-specific critical values obtained via the newer item parameter replication (IPR) method. Also examined were the benefits of single-stage, two-stage, and iterative linking for dichotomous and ordered …

Abstract Purpose   To evaluate the dimensionality and measurement invariance of the aphasia communication outcome measure (ACOM), a self- and surrogate-reported measure of communicative functioning in aphasia. Methods   Responses to a large pool of items describing communication activities were collected from 133 community-dwelling persons with aphasia of ≥ 1 month post-onset and their associated surrogate respondents. These responses were evaluated using confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. Chi-square difference tests of nested factor models were used to evaluate patient–surrogate measurement invariance and the equality of …

Abstract   It has long been recognized that human beings exposed to severe stress may develop psychological symptoms. With recent terrorist acts around the world including the New York City World Trade Center September 11, 2001 atrocity, there has been a growing interest in the specific impact of terrorist acts on the victims and witnesses. One area that has received less study is the specific impact on children. This paper reviews some of the general effects of traumatic stress on children …

While deviance can foster innovation within groups, research does not always find beneficial effects. The current studies provide an information processing account of the influence of deviants in group decision-making. We predicted deviants would undermine decision confidence and promote greater elaboration when tasks were difficult. Study 1 manipulated the strength (systematic cue) and gender (heuristic cue) of a job applicant to investigate the effect of a deviant in a difficult task. As predicted, a deviant was associated with lowered confidence, …

Five-month-old infants’ vocalization when alone was investigated. Several researchers have reported observing that young infants vocalize in comfortable states without any response from others. As is implied by episodic reports in previous studies, it is possible that infants vocalize to play with their own vocal sound. Producing and listening to their vocalizations as sound play could be an early emergence of musical behavior. A hypothesis of this study is that infants vocalize when alone in a comfortable condition for the …

About 700,000 cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect are substantiated each year, making childhood maltreatment a common form of trauma in the histories of adults. We summarize the literature on the consequences of child maltreatment across the lifespan, agreeing with those researchers who see maltreatment as a public health problem. We examine low-income women’s perceptions of the impacts of childhood abuse on their adult experiences through 19 life narratives collected during 2008. Using a theoretical lens of …

Families served within child welfare settings evidence a wide range of emergencies or unexpected crises or circumstances that may lead to danger and make it difficult for them to focus on treatment planning. Mental health treatment providers are often unprepared to effectively manage emergencies during implementation of evidence-based prescribed therapy sessions. In this study, the authors empirically developed a standardized intervention to assist mental health providers in emergency prevention and management (EPM) with their clients. EPM includes assessment of emergent …

Background and Aims: Immigrants in Europe appear at higher risk of psychiatric coercive interventions. No studies have investigated this issue in Italy. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the use of physical restraint, compulsory admission and other treatment characteristics differ in immigrated and Italian-born patients admitted to a psychiatric intensive care unit. Methods: One hundred first-generation immigrant patients were compared to 100 age-, gender- and diagnosis-matched Italian-born patients. Subjects were diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR and rated on …

Objectives To investigate the effect of secondhand smoke exposure from a partner on the risk of having a newborn baby with neural tube defects (NTDs) in Chinese non-smoking women. Methods Data were derived from an on-going population-based case–control study of external malformations in northern China. The case group included 580 infants or fetuses with NTDs identified between November 2002 and December 2007. Controls were 795 newborn infants without major external malformations. Data were collected by trained health workers through face-to-face …

Abstract Purpose – This paper seeks to explain the reasons for use of a therapeutic community for personality disorder in a high secure intellectual disability service. Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the rationale for, and early experiences of, a therapeutic community intervention for people with mild intellectual disability and personality disorder in a high secure setting. Findings – No empirical findings are reported. Evaluation is being undertaken and will be reported in due course. Originality/value – The therapeutic community approach …

Abstract Purpose – The aim of the present study is to explore the psychometric properties of the EssenCES measure (patient report) of social climate in a secure service for people with intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – Patients (37 men, 14 women, Mean age=33.24 years, SD=11.29, age range: 18-71 years) residing in a secure intellectual disabilities service completed the EssenCES as part of routine clinical practice. Findings – Reliability analysis revealed acceptable reliability for all three subscales (a=0.76-0.88). In order to consider …

Abstract Purpose – This study aims to explore the cultural context of care-giving amongst South Asian communities caring for a child with intellectual disabilities in the United Kingdom. Design/methodology/approach – In the context of the United Kingdom’s Children’s Intellectual Disability Services, the study set out to develop a culturally sensitive account of Sikh and Muslim parents’ experiences of caring for a child with intellectual disabilities. Focus groups were conducted with parents from Sikh and Muslim support groups who were all …

Abstract Purpose – This article is the first in a two-part series exploring challenging behaviour, its prevalence, risk factors and causes. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of prevalence studies and explore the various risk factors that have been associated with challenging behaviour. The authors also seek to explore methodological differences across studies that may contribute to the prevalence variations reported in the literature. Design/methodology/approach – The article summarises the findings from frequently cited prevalence studies …

The behavior of participants within Milgram’s obedience paradigm is commonly understood to arise from the propensity to cede responsibility to those in authority and hence to obey them. This parallels a belief that brutality in general arises from passive conformity to roles. However, recent historical and social psychological research suggests that agents of tyranny actively identify with their leaders and are motivated to display creative followership in working toward goals that they believe those leaders wish to see fulfilled. Such …

Behavior change is more effective and lasting when patients are autonomously motivated. To examine this idea, we identified 184 independent data sets from studies that utilized self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000) in health care and health promotion contexts. A meta-analysis evaluated relations between the SDT-based constructs of practitioner support for patient autonomy and patients’ experience of psychological need satisfaction, as well as relations between these SDT constructs and indices of mental and physical health. Results showed the expected …

From early childhood, human beings learn not only from collections of facts about the world but also from social contexts through observations of other people, communication, and explicit teaching. In these contexts, the data are the result of human actions—actions that come about because of people’s goals and intentions. To interpret the implications of others’ actions correctly, learners must understand the people generating the data. Most models of learning, however, assume that data are randomly collected facts about the world …

When people wakefully rest in the functional MRI scanner, their minds wander, and they engage a so-called default mode (DM) of neural processing that is relatively suppressed when attention is focused on the outside world. Accruing evidence suggests that DM brain systems activated during rest are also important for active, internally focused psychosocial mental processing, for example, when recalling personal memories, imagining the future, and feeling social emotions with moral connotations. Here the authors review evidence for the DM and …

Parents regularly use words to express and discuss emotion with their children, but does it matter which language they use to do so? In this article, we examine this question in the multilingual family context by integrating findings from both psychological and linguistic research. We propose that parents’ use of different languages for emotional expression or discussion holds significant implications for children’s emotional experience, understanding, and regulation. Finally, we suggest that an understanding of the implications of emotion-related language shifts …

Abstract   There is a fundamental change proposed for DSM-5 in the general definition of personality disorder, representing a new conceptualization that shapes how the DSM distinguishes personality pathology from other undesirable or negative personality features. The change is needed due to serious deficiencies in the current DSM-IV approach. Specifically, personality disorder is to be conceptualized as impairment in both self organization and interpersonal relating, caused by pathological (extreme) personality traits. This represents progress in that marked impairment in self organization …

This article examines associations between biological father’s incarceration and internalizing and externalizing outcomes of depression and serious delinquency, across White, Black, and Hispanic subsamples of youth in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Among respondents whose father was first incarcerated during childhood or adolescence, father’s incarceration is found to be associated with increased depression and delinquency. On the whole, results indicate that associations between father’s incarceration and depression and delinquency do not vary by race and ethnicity or gender. …

Abstract Adherence research has been dominated by attitudinal approaches that isolate individual statements made in interviews and then assign a fixed attitude to the individual who made that statement. Despite much sociological research having raised questions about the notion of fixed attitudes, little research has theorised the process by which individual utterances about medicine-taking are produced as a form of resistance to medications within interviews. Using Goffman’s concept of performance as a starting point, this article offers an alternative framework …

Background:  Problem perception and perceived need for professional care are important determinants that can contribute to ethnic differences in the use of mental health care. Therefore, we studied ethnic differences in problem perception and perceived need for professional care in the parents and teachers of 5- to 6-year-old children from the general population who were selected for having emotional and behavioural problems. Methods:  A cross-sectional study with data of 10,951 children from grade two of the elementary schools in the …

An effective approach to reducing recidivism is, first, to identify a youth’s risk of reoffending and then to match the intensity of interventions to that risk level. This pre–post quasi-experimental, prospective study compared 247 (pre) with 217 (post) adjudicated youths to examine the implementation of the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) and its effects on case management practices in Louisiana’s Caddo parish probation office. The results indicated that placement rates dropped by 50%, use of maximum levels …

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate brief communication skills training for healthcare professionals (HCPs) in offering antenatal sickle cell and thalassaemia (SCT) screening in primary care.Design: Descriptive study within a cluster randomised controlled trial in 17 inner city practices.Methods: 126 HCPs were invited to attend a training session. Outcome measures were: attendance; perceived usefulness of training; comfort and confidence in offering screening; offering screening at pregnancy confirmation consultations; gestational age at test uptake.Results: 62% (78/126) HCPs attended training and 61 completed both …

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the readability of published patient-related outcome (PRO) questionnaires completed by persons with oral disease and to compare the readability results to existing data about average reading levels for adults living in the United States.Methods: A search was conducted via Pubmed and Google Scholar to identify PRO oral health-related questionnaires completed by patients. Reading grade levels were analyzed for 10 oral health-related PRO questionnaires using three readability formulas.Results: The most significant …