Philip Balch

In person versus telephone treatment for obesity

Abstract This study examines the delivery of group treatment for obesity to 68 subjects on a university campus. Treatment conditions consisted of a pre-professional led group, groups led by trained or untrained paraprofessionals, and a telephone contact group. Results indicated significant decreases in weight and percent obesity for all four treatment groups vs controls, with no between-group differences. It is of particular interest that there were no differences between the combined in-person groups and the telephone contact group.

The effects of anxiety and response cost manipulations on the eating behavior of obese and normal-weight subjects

Abstract Sixty-four normal-weight and obese subjects were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design that assessed the effect of anxiety level and response cost on their eating behavior. The study was conducted in the context of a concept formation experiment. High-anxiety condition subjects were told that correct responses were related to intelligence and that electric shock would be dispensed for errors, while relaxation-inducing instructions were given to subjects in the low-anxiety condition. In addition, half the subjects had access to either tightly wrapped (high-response cost condition) or unwrapped (low-response cost condition) candies. Findings indicated that neither the anxiety or response-cost manipulations affected the number of normal-weight subjects who ate. However, more obese subjects in the low-response cost and low-anxiety conditions tended to eat than did the obese subjects in high-response cost, high-anxiety conditions. The obese were also more inaccurate in estimates of amount eaten. Theoretical and treatment implications of these findings are discussed.

A behaviorally oriented didactic-group treatment of obesity: An exploratory study☆

The current exploratory study reports on the application of a behaviorally oriented didactic-group approach to the treatment of obesity with a diverse population of employees and patients in a medical school setting. Three groups:(1) full treatment; (2) partial treatment (i.e. those failing to meet criteria for group completion); and (3) no treatment controls are compared in numbers of pounds and percent body weight lost over a 9-week treatment program, the goals of which were 1 to 2-lb weekly weight loss. The findings reveal significant differences between Group I vs II and III, but not between Groups II and III. The weight loss for the full treatment group (X = 10·6 lb) was consistent with the goals of the program and results of the 6-week follow-up indicate that Group I members acquired the skills necessary to maintain weight loss and/or continue gradual reduction. The applicability of the current program to the increasing numbers of obese as well as the possibility of paraprofessionals leading such programs are discussed.

A brief history of primary prevention in the twentieth century: 1908 to 1980

While primary prevention is a much talked about and debated topic in contemporary psychology, it has a considerable history. This paper critically traces primary prevention, philosophy and practice, in the 20th century. Beginning with the mental hygiene movement (1908-1960), the paper progresses to examine the child guidance movement (1920-1955), the eugenics movement (1860-1955), the initial era of federal involvement (1930s, 1940s) as well as significant research, events, and legislation in the decades between 1950 and 1980. The paper concludes with a synopsis of the major themes revealed by the review and suggestions for future efforts in prevention.

The training of paraprofessionals as behavior modifiers: A review

Paraprofessionals are increasingly being employed in the mental health field. While much interest has focused on their roles and functioning, little systematic attention has been devoted to an examination of training practices. Because a particularly compatible relationship may exist between paraprofessionals and the behavioral model of intervention, this review focuses on the training and use of paraprofessionals as behavior modifiers. Paraprofessional populations reviewed include psychiatric aides and nurses, college students, inpatients, and community and indigenous workers. The review concludes that a strong case can be made for the administrative feasibility of training and utilizing diverse groups of paraprofessionals as behavior modifiers. The lack of consistent, solid outcome evidence prohibits a conclusion relative to the effectiveness of these paraprofessionals at this point in time. Numerous researchable questions concerning the effectiveness of various forms of training with paraprofessionals, optimal length of training for various purposes, training resistances, etc., are unanswered. Beyond this, a serious lack of communication of the basic process of training is revealed, and the perhpas questionable roles paraprofessionals are being trained for is discussed.

Assessing a CMHC's impact: resident and gatekeeper awareness of center services.

One accessible measure of the impact a community mental health center has on the community it serves is the awareness levels of both residents and gatekeeper groups regarding the centers existence and services. This broad-based study was conducted with university students at no cost to the center and included 436 residents and 175 gatekeepers. The results indicated that awareness levels for community residents and gatekeeper groups were 34% and 53%, respectively, but varied dramatically as a function of how the awareness questions were phrased. The overall awareness findings generally supported those of other studies and were discussed in light of potential normative levels, methods for conducting surveys of this nature, response rates, and the increasing need to justify existence given the diminishing funding situation.

A comparison of strategies for behavioral obesity treatment

Abstract The present study examined different modes of behavioral obesity treatment, varying amounts of therapist time and contact, in a realistic health service setting. We examined effects on weight loss of group vs group plus individual contact, and of non-trained external agents vs trained agents. The results indicated significant losses in both pounds and percent obesity at the end of treatment and at six month follow-up for each of the treatment vs controls, with no between group differences. Implications for minimal therapist contact in behavioral obesity treatment are discussed.

A note on the assessment of ethnic attitudes in preschool children

Four commonly used measures of racial attitudes, the Preschool Racial Attitude Measure, Doll Test, Projective Prejudice Test, and Sticker Test, were adapted for use with preschoolers and were administered to 36 preschool children ranging in age from 31 to 72 months. Results indicated that each test had adequate reliability. A significant correlation was obtained between two measures, the Preschool Racial Attitude Measure and the Projective Prejudice Test. Correlations between age of the children and the Preschool Racial Attitude Measure and the Doll Test were also significant. The children indicated increasing awareness of racial attitudes as they got older. Five-year-olds were significantly different from the younger children. The development of racial attitudes, implications for assessment of young children, and the multidimensional make-up of racial attitudes are discussed.