Robert G. Meyer

Behavioral treatment parameters with primary dysmenorrhea

Fourteen women with primary dysmenorrhea were administered four sessions of systematic desensitization (SD) by either a male or a female therapist. The following measures were taken during the flow periods before and after treatment and at a 6-month follow-up: menstrual symptom checklist, medication usage, invalid hours, and menstrual attitudes. At pretreatment, menstrually distressed women had significantly higher scores on all measures compared to a normative group and an explicitly nondistressed group. At posttreatment, treated womens scores on the dependent variables were significantly reduced. All indices were reduced to a “nondistressed level” at posttreatment and at 6-month follow-up. Type of dysmenorrhea (congestive vs. spasmodic), trait anxiety level, and therapist sex did not predict differential responsiveness to SD. SD did not affect frontalis EMG, peripheral blood flow, or pain threshold. A Retrospective Symptom Scale of menstrual distress was found to be highly reliable, valid, and sensitive.

The reasons for living inventory and a college population: Adolescent suicidal behaviors, beliefs, and coping skills

The suicidal behavior of a college population (N = 205) was assessed. Individuals were categorized into four groups: never suicidal, brief suicidal ideation, serious suicidal ideation, and parasuicidal. They also answered questions about why they would not choose suicide, on the Reasons For Living (RFL) Inventory. Depression, hopelessness, and social desirability scales also were presented. A significant difference existed between suicidal and nonsuicidal individuals on the RFL. Hopelessness and depression were found to be correlated significantly with suicidal behavior; social desirability was found to be high among those who were not suicidal and declined as suicidal behaviors became more severe.

Two-, Three-, and Four-Factor PCL-R Models in Applied Sex Offender Risk Assessments.

The authors compared 2-, 3-, 4-factor, and 2-factor/4-facet Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) models in a previously unpublished sample of 1,566 adult male sex offenders assessed under applied clinical conditions as part of a comprehensive state-mandated community notification risk assessment procedure. “Testlets” significantly improved the performance of all models. The 3-factor model provided the best fit to the current data, followed by the 2-factor/4-facet model. The 2-factor model was not supported.

A behavioral alteration of sexual preferences in the human male

Sexual behavior is analyzed as a complex social episode composed of alternating instrumental and respondent behaviors. The type of sexual consummatory behavior selected by an individual is mainly a function of the type of stimuli eliciting sexual arousal and penile erection. A therapy was designed to alter the arousal eliciting stimuli for nine male homosexuals by classical conditioning techniques.

PHASED BIOFEEDBACK APPROACH FOR EPILEPTIC SEIZURE CONTROL

Abstract A phased biofeedback method for seizure control was used in an 18-yr-old female. Based on reports that epileptic seizures can be prevented by EEG biofeedback, we employed a phased sequence of relaxation training, EMG feedback, and feedback of alpha and theta EEG frequencies, to develop a low arousal, anti-stress response. Intervention over a 1-yr period resulted in a 46 per cent decrease in monthly seizures. Follow-up showed maintenance of her decreased seizure activity. Self-report and charges in locus of control orientation affirm the learning of an effective anti-stress response.

Delay therapy: Two case reports

Delay therapy is a behavioral management technique particularly appropriate for breaking the obsession-impulse crystallization-compulsion sequence. Continued implementation of delay strategies, as noted in the two case histories, results in dissipation of the obsession. The particular subset of delay strategies is indicated by the individual case and may include spaced phone calls, isolated use of medication, as well as behavioral contracts and tasks.

The efficacy of automated relaxation training with response contingent feedback

This experiment explored the efficacy of adding response-contingentfeedback to an automated relaxation procedure. Prior studies show automated relaxation inferior to face-to-face techniques, and the absence of feedback is seen as the crucial factor. Eighteen subjects received each of three treatment procedures (automated with feedback, face-to-face, attention-placebo) in a counterbalanced order. Three objective measures (heart rate, gross motor movement, and GSR), and two subjective measures (semantic differential, ranking scale) were taken. The automated with feedback and face-to-face conditions were equally effective for the most valid objective measures, motor movement and heart rate, and these conditions were superior to the attention-placebo condition. Yet the attention-placebo condition was seen as equally or even more effective than the other conditions for the subjective measures. The hypothesis that the addition of response-contingent feedback toautomated relaxation renders it equally effective to face-to-face techniques was supported. The problem of using GSR as a criterion for relaxation and the subjective power of a drug placebo are discussed.

Development of the Lost Pleasure of Life Scale

The concept of hedonic damages for loss of pleasure of life has been developed by forensic cases up to and includingMolzof v. United States (1992). One instrument available for assessment in this area, the Lost Pleasure of Life (LPL) scale, was refined through development of a rating matrix consisting of 37 behavioral anchors which experts had categorized into progressive levels of loss. Using brief instructions and case examples, mental health clinicians rated 15 written vignettes for loss of pleasure of life resulting from physical injuries. Results indicated moderate reliability (ICCR=.65 to .70) and moderately high correlation (r≥.86) between rank orderings of the case vignettes based on LPL ratings given by the clinicians and on financial awards for each case given by undergraduate students.

Reduction of Test Anxiety VIA Autogenic Therapy

To evaluate the role of active and passive instructions to Ss given abbreviated training with Schultz and Luthes six exercises, 18 Ss completed the test anxiety questionnaire and the Wonderlic Personnel Test. Analyses of repeated (two) measures showed treatment decreased test anxiety scores somewhat more for active Ss; 78% of Ss reported high relaxation was achieved and improved performance.

Alleviation of performance deficits of depression through thermal biofeedback training

Explored thermal biofeedback as a method of reducing performance deficits associated with depression. A depressed and nondepressed control group and a depressed group given pretreatment with biofeedback were (N = 30) compared on their performance on an escape/avoidance task. As predicted by the learned helplessness model of depression, depressed controls showed significantly poorer performance than both other groups. The depressed biofeedback and nondepressed control groups did not differ from one another. Implications for alleviation of depression are discussed.