Janice L. Delucia

Accuracy of self-reported weight: A meta-analysis

The debate over the ability of researchers to substitute self-reports for measured weights is not settled. Studies conducted to date on the self-reports of weight have not provided a clear conclusion as to whether self-reports of weight are valid. The purpose of the present study was to organize and integrate the conflicting findings utilizing the statistical methods of meta-analysis ( Hedges & Olkin, 1985 ). Data were analyzed by two methods of constructing effect sizes for the total sample, by sex of subject, and by type of population. Bias was found to be a significant component of self-reported weight for all groups. Discrepancies between self-report and true weight are reported for all groups, including estimations in pounds. Self-reported weight is concluded to be sufficiently accurate for epidemiological groups but not in clinical weight-loss subjects pools. Recommendations for future research and practice are suggested.

An examination of the tension reduction hypothesis: The relationship between anxiety and alcohol in college students

The Tension Reduction Theory posits that alcohol is consumed to achieve tension reduction. The drinking patterns of high anxiety college students differed from low anxiety college students. Eighty-one students completed the Trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Khavari Alcohol Test (KAT). Several indices of alcohol use derived from the KAT were used to assess patterns of alcohol use. Five two-way analyses of variance were conducted using gender and anxiety as factors. Hypothesis One predicted that there would be a significant difference in alcohol consumption between high and low anxiety students when a comprehensive measure of alcohol use was used. This hypothesis was supported. Hypothesis Two predicted that frequency alone would not differentiate between anxiety levels; this was also supported. The Third Hypothesis was that volume measures of beer, wine and liquor would differentiate between the high and low anxiety levels; this hypothesis was partially supported--beer volume did differentiate between groups, while wine and liquor volume did not. The final hypothesis was that there would be an interaction between gender and anxiety; this was not supported.

The Use of Parallel Process in Supervision and Group Counseling to Facilitate Counselor and Client Growth.

Abstract This article presents a model for supervision of group counselors focusing on the parallel process between the supervisory and counseling relationships

Preparation for Group Therapy: The Effects of Preparer and Modality on Group Process and Individual Functioning.

Abstract This study examined the effects of preparer and modality on group process and individual functioning in a group therapy preparation program.

The individual and combined effects of cognitive therapy and nutrition education as additions to a behavior modification program for weight loss

This study examined the effectiveness of the addition of cognitive and nutritional interventions to a behavioral treatment for obesity. Sixty-nine overweight subjects were randomly assigned to either behavior therapy plus cognitive therapy (BT + CT), behavior therapy plus nutrition education (BT + NE), behavior therapy plus cognitive therapy and nutrition education (BT + CT + NE), or behavior therapy plus social support (BT). Repeated measures multivariate analyses of variance indicated that there were significant differences across time, but not between treatment conditions, for physiological measures of obesity. The effects of the behavioral intervention resulted in a significant increase in reported usage of behavioral weight control techniques. Cognitive groups reported more adaptive weight-related cognitions than noncognitive groups, and all treatment groups demonstrated a significant increase in adaptive thoughts about weight. A significant time main effect for nutrition indicated that positive change in diet existed for subjects regardless of treatment. These results highlight the need for comprehensive pretreatment assessment and individualized treatment for obesity.

Gender Role Identity and Dating Behavior: What Is the Relationship?

The influence of gender role identity on dating behaviors of college students was examined using the Bem Sex Role Inventory and a behavioral questionnaire constructed by the author. One hundred and ninety-seven students were classified as androgynous, undifferientated, feminine, or masculine based on their Bem Sex Role Inventory scores. A behavioral questionnaire was used to generate two self-report behavioral indexes: the masculine dating behavior and feminine dating behavior indexes. Results indicated that high-masculine individuals (androgynous and masculine individuals) scored higher on the masculine dating behavior index and that high-feminine individuals (androgynous and feminine individuals) scored higher on the feminine interactional index. The results of this study support the hypothesis that gender role identity influences self-reported dating behavior of college students.

An individualized cognitive intervention : does it increase the efficacy of behavioral interventions for obesity ?

This study examined the effectiveness of the addition of a cognitive intervention based on individualized assessment to a behavioral intervention. Sixty-three subjects who were at least 15% overweight were randomly assigned to a behavioral intervention or a behavioral intervention and a cognitive intervention focused on changing specific maladaptive self-statements related to weight loss. It was predicted that the behavioral and cognitive intervention would result in greater weight loss and reduction in body fat than the behavioral alone intervention at posttest and at 3-month follow-up; results did not support this hypothesis. Support was found for the construct validity of the behavioral intervention with significant differences between time points on behavioral measures observed. On the cognitive measures, both treatment conditions showed changes over time on cognitive measures, but differences between the treatments were not significant. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that future research examining the effectiveness of cognitive interventions in the area of weight loss include measures other than those that are weight-related, longer follow-ups to assess long-term maintenance, and sufficient amounts of cognitive therapy so that clients have fully integrated the newly learned cognitive dialogues into their everyday lives.

The effect of two nutritional software programs used as adjuncts to the behavioral treatment of obesity

The need to provide nutritional information in the behavioral treatment of obesity is now generally recognized. However, the comparative efficacy of various delivery modes remains to be demonstrated. Two commercial software packages (The Eating Machine and EATS) were embedded in Fergusons (1975) prototypical behavioral program and contrasted with the Ferguson approach deployed alone. Assessments of weight, nutritional knowledge, eating behavior, and related cognitive variables were made at pretest, posttest, 1-month follow-up and 6-month follow-up occasions. No incremental effects attributable to the software programs appeared.

Internal consistency and factor structure of the group counselor behavior rating form

Abstract The purpose of [his study was to examine the internal consistency and factor structure of the Group Counselor Behavior Rating Form (Corey & Corey, 1987).

An interview with h. allan dye: Perspectives on the field of group work

Abstract In this interview, H. Allan Dye discusses how he became interested in the field of group work, his views on ethics, training, and the future of group work.