Linda C. Halgunseth

Do specific neurocognitive deficits predict specific domains of community function in schizophrenia

We examined whether specific neurocognitive deficits predicted specific domains of community outcome in 40 schizophrenic patients. Neuropsychological assessments were conducted before hospital discharge, and measures of functional outcome were obtained 1 to 3.5 years later. A priori hypotheses were generated based upon a recent review by Green (Green MF [1996] What are the functional consequences of neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia? American Journal of Psychiatry, 153(3):321-330). As hypothesized, verbal memory predicted all measures of community outcome, vigilance predicted social outcomes, and executive functioning predicted work and activities of daily living (ADLs). However, in addition to the predicted relationships, many other associations were found between neuropsychological test scores and adaptive function. Furthermore, both cognitive and functional measures were intercorrelated. If deficits in adaptive functioning are neurocognitively multi-determined, utilizing compensatory strategies to bypass multiple areas of cognitive impairment may be more efficient than cognitive remediation in improving community outcomes.

Psychological control, maternal emotion and cognition, and child outcomes in individualist and collectivist groups

SUMMARY This article presents data that explores the phenomenon of psychological control in a group of mothers from individualist backgrounds (West-European) and a group of mothers from collectivist backgrounds (Middle Eastern and South Asian). It is argued that measures of psychological control may reflect maladaptive processes in individualist groups, but they do not necessarily reflect maladaptive processes in collectivist groups. In this study, the collectivist group scored higher on psychological control than the individualist group. However, the collectivist group did not exhibit elevated levels of maladaptive maternal emotions and cognitions, or maladaptive child outcomes (school grades and self-esteem). Finally, psychological control was associated with maladaptive maternal cognitions in the individualist, but not the collectivist group.

Delinquent-oriented attitudes mediate the relation between parental inconsistent discipline and early adolescent behavior.

Although substantial research supports the association between parental inconsistent discipline and early adolescent behaviors, less is understood on mechanisms underlying this relation. This study examined the mediating influence of delinquent-oriented attitudes in early adolescence. Using a longitudinal sample of 324 rural adolescents and their parents, findings revealed that inconsistent discipline in sixth grade predicted an increase in adolescent delinquent-oriented attitudes by seventh grade which, in turn, predicted both an increase in early adolescent antisocial behaviors and a decrease in socially competent behaviors by eighth grade. Therefore, it appears that accepting attitudes toward delinquency may in part develop from experiencing inconsistent discipline at home and may offer a possible explanation as to why early adolescents later engage in more antisocial and less socially competent behaviors. Findings may inform family-based preventive intervention programs that seek to decrease behavior problems and promote social competence in early adolescents.

Using the Interactive Systems Framework in Understanding the Relation Between General Program Capacity and Implementation in Afterschool Settings

The present study uses the Interactive Systems Framework (ISF) to understand how general capacity influences the implementation of prevention programs in afterschool settings. Eight afterschool sites received the Good Behavior Game (GBG) intervention, a program designed to foster supportive behavioral management and positive youth behavior. In line with the Prevention Support System component of ISF, the intervention afterschool staff were trained and received weekly on-site support from coaches in implementing the GBG. It was found that GBG implementation scores were greatest in afterschool programs that rated high on both organizational- and community-levels of general capacity; high scores on only one level of general capacity resulted in lower implementation scores. Thus, afterschool sites that were more organized, maintained adequate facilities, and developed strong linkages to individuals or organizations in the community scored highest in implementation fidelity and quality. This study highlights the importance of considering interactions among multiple levels of general capacity in efforts to promote evidence-based practices in afterschool settings. Caution should be taken in generalizing findings due to the small sample in this study.

Relations Among Maternal Racial Identity, Maternal Parenting Behavior, and Child Outcomes in Low-Income, Urban, Black Families

This study examined maternal racial identity and its relations to maternal depression, maternal age, maternal parenting behavior, and 5-year-old childrens social and cognitive outcomes. Participants included 62 African American mother-child dyads enrolled in the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project. Mothers completed measures on their own racial identity and depression and on their childrens social competence. Children were assessed on reading and mathematical readiness. Parent-child interactions were videotaped and coded for levels of maternal power assertion and warmth. After controlling for maternal education and program status, a series of multiple regressions were conducted. Results indicated that maternal preencounter attitudes were negatively related to maternal age and power assertion. Maternal immersion attitudes and childrens cognitive achievement were negatively related. Maternal internalization attitudes were positively related to childrens social competence. A trend suggested a positive relation between maternal preencounter attitudes and childrens cognitive achievement. Maternal racial identity was not associated with maternal depression or maternal warmth.

Mexican Parenting Questionnaire (MPQ)

The present study was conducted in four phases and constructed a self-report parenting instrument for use with Mexican immigrant mothers of children aged 6 to 10. The 14-item measure was based on semistructured qualitative interviews with Mexican immigrant mothers (N = 10), was refined by a focus group of Mexican immigrant mothers (N = 5), and was then completed by a larger sample of Mexican immigrant mothers (N = 168). Children’s socioemotional and behavioral competence was examined on a subset of children (N = 30) from family drawings and teacher reports of behavior. Items of the parenting instrument pertained to one of three general parenting constructs: Warmth, Monitoring, and Discipline. Using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and respecification procedures, the three models were found to be a good fit with the data. Subscales consisted of moderate levels of internal consistency and predicted several children’s behaviors.

Maternal Health Status and Parenting Stress in Low-Income, Ethnic-Minority Mothers of Children with Conduct Disorder Problems: the Role of Daily Parenting Hassles

ObjectivesMinimal attention has been given to understanding parenting stress among low-income, ethnically diverse mothers of children with conduct problems. Maternal health and parenting hassles may serve as important risk factors for parenting stress. This study examined whether parenting hassles mediated the relations between maternal physical and mental health and parenting stress in a sample of low-income, ethnically diverse mothers of children with behavioral problems.MethodsThe sample included 177 low-income black, Latina, and white mothers of kindergartners with behavior problems. Path analysis was employed to assess the associations between maternal mental and physical health and parenting stress, as well as the moderating role of parenting hassles in this cross-sectional study.ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates, we found that parenting hassles mediated the relationship between social support and parenting stress as well as maternal health and parenting stress.ConclusionFindings suggest that promoting coping resources for daily parenting hassles and supporting the physical and mental health of minority mothers may have important implications for parenting children with high behavior problems.

Positive and negative perceived consequences of first intercourse among middle and high school students in Puebla, Mexico

Abstract Relatively little is known about young people’s interpretations of sexual behaviour in Latin America. In this study, we examine the most commonly perceived consequences of first sexual intercourse among Mexican middle and high school students, how perceived consequences differ by gender, and factors that may predict experiencing more positive or negative consequences. Sexually active Mexican students aged 12–19 years (n = 268) reported whether they had experienced each of 19 consequences following first intercourse. Both positive consequences, such as physical satisfaction and closeness to partner, and negative consequences, such as worry about STDs and pregnancy, were common. Sex with a non-relationship partner was associated with fewer positive and more negative consequences, with the effect for positive consequences being stronger for young women. Pressure to have sex was associated with fewer positive consequences of first intercourse, and pressure to remain a virgin was associated with more positive and negative consequences. These findings suggest that young people often report mixed feelings about their first sexual intercourse and that relationship context and sexual socialisation influence their perceptions of the event.

Romantic relationships in Mexico: Understanding the role of parenting and respeto in adolescence

This study examined whether adolescents’ perceptions of maternal warmth and monitoring were associated with dating experience (experience vs. no experience) and romantic relationship duration in Mexico. We also explored whether respeto, age, and gender moderated these associations. Mexican adolescents (54% girls), aged 12–19, self-reported on their perceptions of maternal warmth and monitoring and romantic relationships. Findings suggest that more perceived maternal warmth was associated with longer relationships. The association between monitoring and relationship length was moderated by age and respeto. Specifically, more monitoring was associated with shorter relationships among older adolescents and those who reported lower levels of respeto. Adolescents who endorse respeto and those who are younger may not perceive maternal monitoring as an attempt to hinder their romantic relationships. Findings highlight the importance of cultural context and parental relationships in Mexican adolescents’ romantic experiences.