A. Stephen Lenz

Calculating Effect Size in Single-Case Research: A Comparison of Nonoverlap Methods

A guide for researchers to calculate effect sizes for single-case research using three nonoverlap methods is provided. These methods are evaluated for their strengths and limitations, applied to a data set, and contrasted with one another. Criteria are presented to determine goodness of fit between nonoverlap procedures and data sets.

Integrating Wellness Concepts within a Clinical Supervision Model

Wellness, considered a multidimensional synergistic concept (Roscoe, 2009) has been viewed as a fundamental component of counseling (Myers & Sweeney, 2005c). As such, wellness concepts integrated within clinical supervision need to be explored. In this article, the authors identify the need for a model of supervision that features wellness concepts, discuss some relevant concepts of wellness in the helping profession, and describe how they can be integrated within a model of clinical supervision. In addition to proposing a model for integrating wellness as a central construct into a clinical supervision, case examples are utilized to illustrate the implementation of this model.

Meta-Analysis of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treating PTSD and Co-occurring Depression Among Children and Adolescents

We evaluated the effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) for treating posttraumatic stress disorder and co-occurring depression symptoms across 21 between-group studies representing the data of 1,860 children and adolescents (1,106 girls and 754 boys). Separate meta-analytic procedures were conducted for studies that implemented wait-list/no treatment and alternative treatment comparisons to estimate aggregated treatment effect of TF-CBT and moderators of effect size magnitude. Limitations of our findings and implications for counselors are discussed.

Relational-Cultural Therapy Intervention With Incarcerated Adolescents: A Single-Case Effectiveness Design

The authors implemented a small series (N = 4) single-case research design to assess the effectiveness of a nine-session Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT) intervention with adolescent females incarcerated in a youth detention facility. Analysis of participants’ scores on the Relational Health Inventory using the Percentage Of Data Points Exceeding the Median procedure yielded treatment effects indicating that RCT may be effective for promoting relational empowerment and engagement with others; however, treatment was not associated with a greater amount of relational authenticity with others. Discussion of systemic variables that limit relational development during incarceration is provided.

Positive Psychology and Familial Factors as Predictors of Latina/o Students' Psychological Grit.

Positive psychology is a useful framework to understand Latina/o students’ experiences. In the current study, we examined how presence of meaning in life, search for meaning in life, hope, and family importance influenced 128 Latina/o college students’ psychological grit. We used the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), Subjective Happiness Scale, Hope Scale, Pan-Hispanic Familism Scale, and Short Grit Scale to measure the aforementioned factors. Using multiple regression analysis, findings indicated that hope and search for meaning in life were significant predictors of psychological grit. Higher levels of hope positively predicted psychological grit, while higher levels of search for meaning in life negatively predicted psychological grit. We provide a discussion regarding the importance of these findings as well as recommendations for future research.

Positive Psychology and Familial Factors as Predictors of Latina/o Students’ Hope and College Performance

We investigated the contributions of positive psychology and familial factors as predictors of hope and academic performance among 166 Latina/o college students enrolled at a Hispanic Serving Institution of Higher Education. The results indicated that presence of meaning in life, search for meaning in life, daily spiritual experiences, and mother’s educational level were significant predictors of goal-specific hope. None of the positive psychology or familial factors predicted Latina/o students’ college performance.

A Pilot Evaluation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents Within a Partial Hospitalization Treatment Milieu

This study investigated the magnitude of treatment effect associated with a time-limited, transdiagnostic application of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents delivered within a partial hospitalization program. Participants were 48 adolescents (25 girls, 52%; 23 boys, 48%) with a mean age of 15.41 years (SD = 1.48) who met diagnostic criteria for a primary diagnosis of a depressive disorder (n = 17, 35%); bipolar disorder (n = 11, 23%); and mood disorder, not otherwise specified (n = 10, 21%); anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (n = 3; 6%); disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (n = 3; 6%); attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (n = 3; 6%); and obsessive-compulsive disorder (n = 1; 2%). Results of paired-samples ttests and interpretation of effect sizes indicated meaningful changes from intake assessment to discharge on measures of evaluating psychological symptoms, ways of coping, emotional regulation, and mindfulness. No significant findings were detected for participants’ development of relational health. Implications of these findings and recommendations for mental health counselors who work with adolescents are provided.

Evaluation of a Partial Hospitalization Program for Adolescents

This study investigated the magnitude of treatment and client perceptions of change within a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for adolescents with mental health concerns. Participants were 35 adolescents (19 girls; 16 boys) with a mean age of 14.91 years who were predominately Caucasian (n = 31) and experiencing the symptoms of mood disorders (n = 30). Results of a mixed methodology sequential explanatory design indicated that a 6-week PHP effectively decreased symptom severity and increased relational health of participants over time. Qualitative data yielded four themes identified as renewed well-being, relationships, perceptions of effective programming, and areas of dissatisfaction.

Meta-Analysis of Group Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Decreasing Symptoms of Acute Depression

We implemented a meta-analysis of randomized trials to estimate the treatment effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in a group format compared to no treatment or alternative group interventions. We inspected moderators of effect size and estimated treatment effects over time across 31 studies with yielded mean effect sizes revealing large and medium effects for no treatment and alternative treatment comparisons, respectively. Moderator analyses revealed differential models for explaining variations in treatment effects related to age, percentage of men in studies, domicile, study setting, and type of alternative treatment comparison. Implications for group work and limitations of this study are discussed.

Meta-Analysis of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Treating Symptoms of Internalizing Disorders

We evaluated the effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) for treating symptoms of internalizing disorders with youth and adults across 26 between-group studies representing the data of 2,968 participants. Separate meta-analytic procedures for studies implementing waitlist/no treatment (n = 1,342) or alternative treatments (n = 1,626) yielded modest effect sizes for SFBT when treating internalizing disorders. Limitations of our findings and implications for counselors are discussed.