Karen C. Rose

Factors associated with caregiver readiness to use nonpharmacologic strategies to manage dementia‐related behavioral symptoms

Nonpharmacologic strategies to manage dementia‐related behavioral symptoms depend upon caregiver implementation. Caregivers may vary in readiness to use strategies. We examined characteristics associated with readiness, extent readiness changed during intervention, and predictors of change in readiness.

Perceptions and Credibility: Understanding the Nuances of Eyewitness Testimony

Of the first 225 exonerations of wrongfully convicted individuals in the United States by the Innocence Project, 77% were based on mistaken eyewitness identifications. Given the mounting evidence on reliability issues surrounding eyewitness testimony, coupled with the fact that forensic evidence is neither infallible nor always available, it becomes important to better understand how jurors use these different types of evidence in their decision making. The current research seeks to fill a void in the literature by evaluating the influence of eyewitness testimony on case outcomes while accounting for other types of evidence (e.g., DNA). Although the results underscore the value of forensic DNA evidence, they also highlight the importance of eyewitness testimony in juror decision making. In fact, both pretrial perceptions of the reliability of eyewitness evidence and the credibility of an eyewitness during trial significantly impact the desired verdict for jurors above and beyond other types of evidence. Implications for case processing and avenues for future research are discussed.

Impact of caregiver readiness on outcomes of a nonpharmacological intervention to address behavioral symptoms in persons with dementia.

Previous research shows that nonpharmacological strategies may effectively manage behavioral symptoms (agitation, wandering) in persons with dementia and improve caregiver wellbeing. However, strategies depend upon caregivers for their implementation. We examine the impact of caregiver readiness to use nonpharmacological strategies on treatment outcomes.

The Divisive Coverage Effect How Media May Cleave Differences of Opinion Between Social Groups

The media often depict public opinion as divided by gender, race, or political affiliation. Can this type of reporting help create the group differences portrayed? Two experiments investigated whether exposure to divisive coverage could widen the gulf between real groups. Participants in Experiment 1, some of whom were affiliated with pan-Hellenic (Greek) organizations, viewed a videotape depicting the tribunal of a fraternity member accused of vandalism. Interviews with other students ostensibly from the same university preceded the tribunal scene and depicted either (a) all Greek interviewees supporting the fraternity member and all non-Greek interviewees opposing him (divisive coverage) or (b) Greek and non-Greek interviewees holding equally mixed opinions (nondivisive coverage). Only the divisive coverage condition led to significant differences between Greek and non-Greek participants, with Greek participants judging the defendant less harshly. Experiment 2 replicated the divisive coverage effect using the issue of support for affirmative action among male and female participants.

Beyond Deserving More Psychological Entitlement Also Predicts Negative Attitudes Toward Personally Relevant Out-Groups

Psychological entitlement is defined as the “stable and pervasive sense that one deserves more and is entitled to more than others.” Research has shown those high in entitlement tend to behave selfishly, experience greater workplace conflict, and are low on the Big Five trait of Agreeableness. In a series of four studies, we demonstrate that psychological entitlement also predicts negative views of out-groups: It predicted lower liking for a rival student body, prejudice toward lesbians and gay men, negative attitudes toward female equality among male participants, and modern racism toward African Americans. Given that entitlement was unrelated to in-group identification or favoritism, these results suggest that it may be possible for those higher in entitlement to hold more negative views of out-groups without stronger in-group identification. Combined with previous findings, these studies suggest that the role of “others” in entitlement goes beyond merely believing that one deserves more than them.

Background characteristics and treatment-related factors associated with treatment success or failure in a non-pharmacological intervention for dementia caregivers

BACKGROUND Non-pharmacological interventions for persons with dementia often rely on family caregivers for implementation. However, caregivers differ in their readiness to use strategies. This study examines dyadic characteristics and treatment-related mechanisms associated with treatment success (high readiness to use strategies) and failure (low readiness to use strategies) at the conclusion of the Advancing Caregiver Training (ACT) intervention. METHODS Caregiver and person with dementia characteristics and treatment-related variables (treatment participation, number and type of strategies introduced and enacted) were examined in 110 caregivers in intervention. Interventionists rated readiness (1=precontemplation; 2=contemplation; 3=preparation; 4=action) of caregivers to use strategies at the final ACT session. Univariate analyses examined dyadic characteristics, and Multiple Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) and Analyses of Covariance (ANCOVA) examined treatment-related factors associated with readiness to use strategies at treatment completion. RESULTS At treatment completion, 28.2% (N=31) scored in pre-action and 71.8% (N=79) at action. Caregivers at pre-action readiness levels were more likely than those at action to be a spouse, report greater financial difficulties and be managing fewer problem behaviors. Although both groups were introduced an equivalent number of non-pharmacological strategies, caregivers at pre-action were less likely than those at action to report enacting strategies. CONCLUSIONS Certain dyadic characteristics and treatment-related factors were associated with treatment failure including financial strain and lack of strategy integration. Findings suggest that developing intervention components to address financial concerns and increase opportunities for practicing strategies and then using them between treatment sessions may be important for caregivers at risk of treatment failure.