David S. Glenwick

Relation of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Parent Version to Diagnosis, Stress, and Age.

This study explored the relation of severity of functional impairment on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Parent version (CARS-P) to diagnosis, parenting stress, and child age. Twenty-two mothers of children with autism and 19 mothers of children with pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) completed the CARS-P and the Parenting Stress Index. The autism group received significantly higher (i.e., more severe impairment) CARS-P ratings that did the PDD-NOS group. For the total sample, severity of impairment was a significant predictor of child-related parenting stress. The CARS-P was inconsistently associated with age-significantly positive for the PDD-NOS group but nonsignificantly for the autism group. Implications for the use of the CARS-P in assessment of children and the evaluation of interventions are discussed.

The relationship of religious coping and spirituality to adjustment and psychological distress in urban early adolescents

The present study explored the relation of religious coping and spirituality to adjustment and psychological distress in urban early adolescents. The participants were 76 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students attending Catholic day schools in the New York City area. They completed a set of self-report measures assessing religious coping, daily spiritual experiences, positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, and psychological distress. Correlational and regression analyses found positive religious coping and daily spiritual experiences to be associated with positive affect and life satisfaction, while negative religious coping was associated with negative affect and psychological distress. The relations generally were more robust among males, and their overall robustness decreased with age. Implications of the findings for research and clinical practice are offered to address the gap (compared to adults) in the literature on youth religious coping.

When Parent Becomes Peer: Loss of Intergenerational Boundaries in Single Parent Families.

This paper describes characteristics and treatment of one subtype of divorce produced single parent family, namely one in which intergenerational boundaries have become blurred and role expectations ill-defined. Characteristics include: (a) a late latency age child who typically resides with hislher mother, (b) abdication by the mother of the parental role, and (c) a parent-child relationship in which the mother functions as a peer/partner. Clinical intervention involves: (a) helping the mother return to her parental role and learn how to better resolve conflicts, (b) permitting the child to express thoughts and feelings more appropriately, and (c) examining and modifying parent-child communication patterns.

Outcome in psychoeducational day school programs: a review.

Psychoeducational day schools provide clinical and special education services to children with severe behavior disorders. Outcome studies indicate that treated children tend to improve in behavioral, academic, and family functioning but warrant continued intervention. Family therapy, development of academic skills, and coordination of aftercare services appear critical to long-term program success.

Predictors and Moderators of Psychological Distress in Mothers of Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders

ABSTRACT This study explored potential predictors of psychological distress and moderators of the relation between parenting stress and psychological distress in mothers of children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs). Ninety-seven mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders completed measures assessing childrens functional impairment, parenting stress, number of social supports, satisfaction with social support, parenting sense of competence, number of coping strategies, and maternal psychological distress. Consistent with hypotheses, parenting competence and satisfaction with social support were negatively related to maternal distress. However, number of coping strategies and number of social supports were not significantly related to distress. Regression analyses revealed that number of social supports augmented, rather than moderated, the relation between a composite of childrens functional impairment/parenting stress and maternal distress; no other variable significantly moderated this relation. Based on the findings, possible modifications to the existing stress-coping models are considered for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders, and implications for service providers are discussed.

Referral reasons for psychological services for adults with mental retardation.

This study examined 391 adult referrals made to a mental health clinic serving individuals with mental retardation, in order to explore the relationship between referral source and referral reason. Each referral was categorized into 1 of 8 referral sources (e.g., vocational placements, day treatment programs) and into 1 of more of 10 behavior categories (e.g., depression, externalizing behavior problems). Externalizing behaviors were the most common overall referral reason. However, referral reason did vary as a function of referral source. Also, sex and mental retardation level were associated with referral reason. Implications for assessment practices and future research are considered.

Identifying correlates of reabuse in maltreating parents

Forty-five abusive parents (40 mothers, 5 fathers) in treatment at a large, urban medical centers child abuse program were compared on 22 parent, child, and treatment variables posited to bear on reabuse. While no one variable by itself was strongly associated with reabuse, the data indicated that interactions involving several variables (e.g., income source, marital status, and the abusers personal abuse history) significantly differentiated between reabusers and nonreabusers. Implications of the findings for research and clinical intervention are discussed.

The Relationship of Religious and General Coping to Psychological Adjustment and Distress in Urban Adolescents

The present study explored the relationships among stress, general and religious coping, and mental health in a sample of urban adolescents. The participants included 587 9th- through 12th-grade students attending two Catholic high schools in the New York City area. They completed a set of self-report measures assessing perceived stress, religious coping, general coping, clinical symptomology, positive and negative affect, and life satisfaction. Correlation and regression analyses were used to describe relationships among variables. Perceived stress, negative religious coping, and avoidant coping were significantly associated with indicators of psychological distress. Conversely, positive religious coping and active/engagement coping were significantly associated with indicators of psychological adjustment. Negative religious coping also was found to moderate the relationship between perceived stress and positive affect. Finally, partial correlational analyses revealed significant relationships between religious coping and mental health indicators, even after controlling for the contributions of general coping. Implications of the findings for research and clinical practice with adolescent populations are considered.

The psychosocial challenges of solid organ transplant recipients during childhood

Annunziato RA, Jerson B, Seidel J, Glenwick DS. The psychosocial challenges of solid organ transplant recipients during childhood.

Egocentrism and Classroom Adjustment.

This study examined the relationship between persistent egocentrism and adjustment status in normal school children. Fifty-three fourth-graders (33 males, 20 females) were administered measures of egocentrism and peer sociometric status, and indices of classroom adjustment were obtained from teachers. Degree of egocentrism was shown to correlate with classroom adjustment for both boys and girls and with peer group status for boys. The pattern of correlations suggested that the negative consequences of persistent egocentrism were different for the two sexes, with high egocentrism associated with shy, anxious behavior for girls and acting-out and learning difficulties for boys.