Michael Waldo

Best Practice Guidelines on Prevention Practice, Research, Training, and Social Advocacy for Psychologists:

Preventive interventions have been shown to successfully aid the development of children, youths, and adults and avert maladjustment in individuals at risk for negative outcomes. Continued scientific advancement of preventive interventions is crucial to further the health of U.S. children, youths, and families. This article presents 15 best practice guidelines on prevention practice, research, training, and social advocacy for psychology. These guidelines articulate clear standards and a framework for moving the profession toward improving the well-being of a greater number of individuals and communities. The guidelines are intended to assist psychologists in evaluating their preparation for engaging in prevention work and in furthering their understanding through increased knowledge, skills, and experience in prevention.

Can Asperger's Disorder Be Differentiated From Autism Using DSM-IV Criteria?

Parents of 26 children With diagnoses of Aspergers disorder completed a symptom checklist to determine Whether the children met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) criteria for Aspergers disorder, autism, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherWise specified. Results shoWed that almost all (20) met criteria for autism, and a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of Aspergers disorder could not be confirmed in any child. Further, 95% of the parents Whose children did not have a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of Aspergers disorder agreed With their childs diagnosis of Aspergers disorder. Our findings suggest that the hierarchical DSM-IV-TR criteria are not applied by clinicians to diagnose Aspergers disorder because most children With diagnoses of Aspergers disorder actually met DSM-IV-TR criteria for autism, Which precludes a diagnosis of Aspergers disorder. These findings are consistent With previous studies. Most experts noW agree that autism is a spectrum disorder and Aspergers disorder is actually high-functioning autism. Implications for the next revision of the DSM are discussed.

Gender-Role Conflict and Self-Esteem: Factors Associated With Partner Abuse in Court-Referred Men.

This study investigated the relationship between gender-role conflict, self-esteem, and domestic violence. Seventy-four men entering a domestic violence treatment program completed self-report measures of gender-role conflict, self-esteem, and abusive and controlling behavior. Regression analysis revealed that high gender-role conflict with respect to success, power, and competition was positively related to physical abuse. Restrictive emotionality and self-esteem both negatively related to use of intimidation and threats. Finally, restrictive affectionate behavior between men was positively related to using isolation.

School-Linked Prevention Theory, Science, and Practice for Enhancing the Lives of Children and Youth

Principles drawn from contemporary developmental-contextualism are presented as a framework for guiding the design, implementation, and evaluation of school-linked prevention programs that are consistent with an emerging body of research specifying best practices in prevention. Two school-linked preventive interventions, the Gardner Extended Services School (GESS) and Supporting Teachers Supporting Students, are described and discussed according to developmental principles. Roles of counseling psychologists in each intervention are also discussed. Implications of the theory and science of school-linked prevention and the two program examples for training of counseling psychologists are described.

Effects of a Mindfulness Group on Latino Adolescent Students: Examining Levels of Perceived Stress, Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Psychological Symptoms.

This pilot study evaluated the impact of mindfulness groups on 20 Latino middle school students who participated in 8-session structured groups using the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Teens curriculum. The participants’ scores on the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale; the Self-Compassion Scale; the Perceived Stress Scale; and the Depression, Anxiety, and Hostility subscales of the Symptom Check List–90–R were examined at 3 points in time. There were no significant changes during the baseline period. Following participation in the groups, the adolescents’ mindfulness and self-compassion scores significantly increased, and their perceived stress and depression significantly decreased.

Attachment Styles: Relationship to Masculine Gender Role Conflict in College Men

This study examined the relationship between masculine gender role conflict and attachment in college men. One hundred seventy male undergraduate students completed the Gender Role Conflict Scale (J. M. O’ Neil, B. Helms, R. Gable, L. David, & L. Wrightsman, 1986) and the Relationship Questionnaire (K. Bartholomew & L. M. Horowitz, 1991). The results demonstrated that men with secure attachment styles had significantly less gender role conflict with Restrictive Emotionality when compared with men with preoccupied, dismissive, or fearful attachment styles. In addition, men with a secure attachment style had significantly less conflict with Success, Power, and Competition when compared with men with fearful attachment styles. Implications of the results for understanding the relationship between attachment and masculine gender role conflict are discussed.

Reliability and Validity of the SCL-90-R With Hispanic College Students

Reliability and validity of the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90-R) was investigated to determine if this instrument is appropriate for use with Hispanic college students. The sample(28males, 177females) consistedof 101participantswho identified as Anglo and 104 who identified as Hispanic (6 did not identify their ethnicity). Participants ranged in age from 17 to 50. Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess each of the SCL-90-R’s subscales. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was employed to check for significant differences between Anglo and Hispanic students’pretest scores. The extent to which the SCL-90-R measures change in both samples in a similar way was investigated. The data support the reliability and validity of the SCL-90-R as a measure of psychological symptoms for Hispanic college students.

Wife-Battering: A Theoretical Construct and Case Report.

Abstract A theoretical construct—prostrate-detonate-dominate-ingratiate—is presented to explain the development and maintenance of wife-battering. The construct is tied to research evidence and, along with clinical observations, is used to help develop a rationale for the type of therapy deemed most likely to be effective with wife-batterers. Group marital Relationship Enhancement, a method that fits this rationale, was chosen for trial with battering husbands and their wives. A case report on this group, including follow-up, is presented.

Regrouping the categorization of group work: A goals and process (GAP) matrix for groups

Abstract The four group work categories developed by the Association for Specialists in Group Work have been useful in organizing interventions and establishing training standards. The categories are problematic, however in that the goal and process dimensions of group work are combined within each category. Rigid fusion of goal and process makes it difficult to categorize the many groups that pursue goals from one category through a process associated with another. A new model for the classification of group work is proposed, which separates goals and process dimensions, forming a matrix that allows for more accurate categorization of group types.

Participants' perception of therapeutic factors in groups for incest survivors

Abstract An investigation of member-perceived curative factors in an incest-survivor group suggests that the relative importance of curative factors may be related to group stages.