Richard M. O'Brien

Self-efficacy and self-motivation as predictors of weight loss

The present study was attempted to determine whether self-efficacy and self-motivation would predict outcome in an intensive weight loss program. The subjects included 52 males and 95 females who were at least fifty pounds overweight (mean age = 43 years). The data were analyzed through multiple regression on three separate dependent variables: actual weight loss, adjusted weight loss and percentage of sessions attended. Outcome was predicted based on the following variables: self-efficacy (as measured by confidence estimates and outcome expectancies) and self-motivation (as measured by the Self-Motivation Inventory). The predictors accounted for 32.2% (p less than .01) of the variance in actual weight loss, 8.5% (p less than .01) of the variance in adjusted weight loss and none of the variance in percentage of sessions attended. Self-motivation did not correlate significantly with either actual or adjusted weight loss, while self-efficacy measures did. However, the correlation of the two self-efficacy measures (r = -.07, p greater than .05) suggests that these variables do not constitute a unitary construct and should be conceptualized as independent predictors. These findings suggest that confidence estimates and outcome expectancies are useful predictors of weight loss.

The effect of target behavior monitoring on weight loss and completion rate in a behavior modification program for weight reduction

Although behavior modification of obesity is usually described as a behavior change procedure, measurement is most often limited to the outcome variable of weight loss. The present investigation employed detailed behavior monitoring forms in half of 16 obesity groups (n = 173) matched across four different therapists. The percentage of compliance for nine specific treatment behaviors was charted from these monitoring forms. At the end of treatment, the eight groups that had the behavior monitoring treatment averaged over 6 pounds more weight lost than the matched control groups as well as showing significantly better attendance. The between group weight loss differences were still evident 3 months after treatment.

The efficacy of rational emotive therapy in adults: clinical fact or psychometric artifact?

The efficacy of Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET) in reducing maladjustment, while insistently touted by its advocates, has not been unambiguously demonstrated in outcome research. Previous reviews have generally been quite partisan and subjective, and have not reflected available research. The object of the present review was to determine the extent to which RET significantly improved adjustment of adult subjects on different outcome measures in comparison with wait-list, placebo, and other treatment conditions. In 75 outcome reports, RET was effective in only about 25% of comparisons. Its main effect was to reduce scores of self-reported irrationality and dysphoria. Little change was noted in behavioral measures. The few comparisons favoring RET could be attributed to psychometric artifacts rather than to the reduction of irrational beliefs.

Efficacy of Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) with children: A critical re-appraisal

Proponents of rational-emotive therapy (RET) advocate its use within the school curriculum to forestall future maladjustment through the early detection and eradication of irrational beliefs. A review of 33 unpublished dissertations and four published reports found RET effective in about 25% of comparisons with wait-list, placebo, and other treatment conditions. The major effects of RET were changes in scores on self-report measures of irrational beliefs, less on emotional distress, and little or no change in behavior; essentially the same pattern of effects previously found in a similar analysis of RET in adult populations. Little justification was found for continued use of RET in schools.

Effects of cash deposits on attendance and weight loss in a large-scale clinical program for obesity.

The effects of a cash deposit for attendance were examined in 579 clients at a fee for service obesity clinic. The weight loss and attendance of 26 groups required to submit a refundable attendance deposit were compared to 34 no-deposit groups. Significant differences in weight loss and attendance favored those groups who submitted refundable deposits.

Treatment of Anxiety about College Tests with Negative Practice and Systematic Desensitization: Some Negative Findings

72 test-anxious subjects were assigned to three treatment groups and two control groups for 6 weekly sessions. Treatment conditions were negative practice with and without homework instructions and systematic desensitization. The two control conditions involved a psychoanalytically oriented attention-placebo group and a waiting-list, no-treatment group. There were no differences in grade point average between groups following treatment. Only the group given systematic desensitization showed improvement in self-reported test anxiety. These negative results are discussed in comparison to earlier findings. The need for measures of behavioral outcome is emphasized.

IMMEDIATE AUDITORY FEEDBACK TO IMPROVE PUTTING QUICKLY

After being baserated for three putts from each of three distances, six veteran golfers were given immediate feedback for head and body movement in a brief treatment session. Providing immediate feedback of the inappropriate movement resulted in a statistically significant increase in the number of putts holed.

Effects of ethnicity of hypnotist and subject on hypnotic susceptibility.

Abstract The effect of ethnic similarity of hypnotist and hypnotic S on hypnotic susceptibility was examined in a 2–part study. The first part of the study compared the performance of Anglo versus Chinese hypnotists on Anglo versus Chinese Ss. In the second half of the study, Anglo and Hispanic Ss and hypnotists were compared using the same Anglo hypnotist-S control group. In total, 112 volunteers were administered the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form A, of A. M. Weitzenhoffer and Hilgard (1959), with 16 Ss (8 males and 8 females) in each condition. A 2 × 2 ANOVA was performed on the data for each part of the study. Ethnic similarity of hypnotist and S was found not to enhance hypnotic susceptibility. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to the assumed superiority of homoethnicity in psychotherapy.