Elizabeth C. Pomeroy

Intimate Partner Violence and Psychological Health in a Sample of Asian and Caucasian Women: The Roles of Social Support and Coping

This study examined the potential mediating effects of social support and coping strategies on the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and psychological outcomes. A sample of 100 Caucasian women and 61 Asian women were recruited from domestic violence agencies. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model. Analysis of the combined group revealed that there was an indirect effect of the level of violence on psychological outcomes via the mediating variables of perceived social support and passive coping strategies. Ethnic group comparisons, however, indicated differences between Caucasian and Asian women. In the Caucasian group, the level of violence had an indirect effect on psychological outcomes via the mediating variables of perceived social support and passive coping strategies. In contrast, in the Asian group, the direct effect of the level of violence on psychological outcomes was strong and significant, and the mediating roles of these variables were not found. Research implications for practice are delineated.

Couples Who Care: The Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Group Intervention for HIV Serodiscordant Couples

Objective: The pilot study examined the effectiveness of a psychoeducational group intervention for HIV/AIDS, serodiscordant, heterosexual couples. Method: A quasi-experimental pretest posttest design was used to examine depression, anxiety, and marital satisfaction of couples in which one spouse was HIV positive and the other spouse was negative. Results: Univariate analyses of covariance indicated significant differences between the experimental and comparison groups on each dependent variable. Effect sizes ranged from moderate to strong. Conclusions: The group intervention was effective in reducing depression and anxiety and in increasing marital satisfaction among serodiscordant heterosexual couples.

Anticipatory Grief and Alzheimer’s Disease: Strategies for Intervention

This article will identify a number of variables that can be expected to influence the anticipatory grief process, including the stigmatization of the disease process, multiple losses and psycho- social death. The impact of each of the variables on the anticipatory grief process of caregivers of patients with Alzheimers disease (AD) will be delineated. Finally, the anticipatory mourning tasks for caregivers at each stage of chronic illness will be presented. Empha- sis will be placed on the special tasks of the caregivers of persons with AD and the role of the practitioner in assisting the caregiver to simultaneously remain actively involved with the patient, while they grieve their losses and prepare for death, which is the very compli- cated work of anticipatory grief.

The Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Group for HIV-Infected/Affected Incarcerated Women:

Objective: The effectiveness of a psychoeducational group intervention for HIV/AIDS-infected and affected women was examined at a large southeastern county jail facility. Method: A quasiexperimental pretest-posttest design was used to examine depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms of women inmates. Results: A multivariate analysis of covariance yielded significant differences between the experimental and comparison groups. Subsequent analysis of covariance for each dependent variable indicated significant differences between groups as well. Effect sizes ranged from moderate to strong. Conclusions: The psychoeducational group intervention appeared to be effective in alleviating depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms among women inmates infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Crime Victims: What Is the Role of Social Support?

ABSTRACT Assessment of perceived social support and received social support available to victims of violent and non-violent crime is considered an integral function of the ensuing well-being for those victims. This study examines the effects of perceived and received social support on the initial levels of distress, coping strategy and subsequent well-being. A cross-sectional survey collected self-report data from personal interviews with 175 victims of crime. Findings indicate a direct relationship between levels of perceived social support and anger. A direct relationship was also found between received social support and anxiety. There was an inverse relationship between social support and emotion-focused coping and avoidance-oriented coping and a significant positive relationship between social support and problem-focused coping.

A Psychoeducational Model for Caregivers of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Psychoeducational groups for families of patients with Alzheimers disease have been utilized as a means to reduce the burden experienced by caregivers and prolong the time a patient can remain in the community. Research studies utilizing clinical impres- sions tv~icallv remrt successful outcomes. However, studies uti- lizing more objeche measures are inconclusive. The authors pro- mse a conceptual model that takes into account the determinants of burden, the &ge of illness of the patient, and the stage of mourning of the caregiver. These factors are utilized to assess the differential need of the caregiver for support and education, as well as the actual content of the education and focus of the support. It is felt by the authors that this model will assist researchers in overcoming some of the limitations of previous research and thus, in riding significant differences in objective outcome measures. More importantly, it will assist practitioners in designing more effective interventions.

Family-Based Treatment Models Targeting Substance Use and High-Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents: A Review

Abstract Recent reviews of services for families with youths coping with a wide variety of problems have strongly urged inclusion of families in all services. This manuscript will review family-based intervention models that have considerable empirical support for treating adolescent substance abuse and have demonstrated success in preventing substance use. Major interventions reviewed include: Multisystemic Family Therapy, Strengthening Families Program, Brief Strategic Family Therapy, Multidimensional Family Therapy, and Integrated Behavioral Family Therapy.

“Straight Talk”: The Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Group Intervention for Heterosexuals with HIV/AIDS

A quasi-experimental research study found that a 6-week psychoeducational group intervention was effective in alleviating stress, depression, and anxiety among eight heterosexual persons with HIV/AIDS in an experimental group. The group intervention consisted of both educational topics and psychological support. Scores on several measures changed significantly from pretest to posttest. A comparison group of heterosexual persons living with HIV/AIDS showed no significant differences from pretest to posttest. Implications for further research, practice, and program development are discussed.

Crime Victimization: Assessing Differences Between Violent and Nonviolent Experiences

Abstract Experiencing a criminal victimization is among one of the most stressful human experiences. A cross-sectional study of victims of violent crime and victims of nonviolent crime suggests that there are statistically significant differences in experiences in the initial aftermath of the crime event and a few common effects. This article describes the common effects that are associated with criminal victimization in the context of intense distress and discusses the theoretical implications of well-being in the coping process. One hundred seventy-five victims of violent or nonviolent crime were interviewed. Implications for social work practice and theory and future research are delineated.

Early Intervention for Alcohol Use Prevention and Vehicle Safety Skills: Evaluating the "Protecting You/Protecting Me" Curriculum.

ABSTRACT The present study reports the evaluation results of the “Protecting You/Protecting Me” (PY/PM) alcohol use prevention and safety curriculum for third, fourth, and fifth graders when taught by high school peer leaders. The primary goal of the PY/PM prevention program, developed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), is to prevent injury and death of children due to underage consumption of alcoholic beverages and vehicle-related risks, especially as passengers in vehicles in which the driver is not alcohol-free. Two classrooms for each grade were randomly assigned to receive either the Intervention or serve as a Comparison in four sites in Texas. From pre-test to post-test, 259 surveys were matched (Intervention n = 128, Comparison n = 131). A 6-week follow-up survey was also completed with 120 Intervention students. The results showed the Intervention group made significant improvements, relative to the Comparison group, in Vehicle Safety Skills, Intentions not to Ride with an Alcohol Impaired Driver, Media Literacy, and Knowledge about Brain Development. Additional findings showed some individual differences by gender and grade and that the interventions effect varied in a few areas depending on pre-test score, gender, and grade. Overall, the curriculum benefits students by influencing their attitudes toward advertisements, increasing their intentions not to ride with a driver who has been drinking, developing their skills to protect themselves when they have no other option but to ride with an alcohol impaired driver, and improving their knowledge about the developing brain.