Robert J. Thompson

Maternal psychological adjustment to the birth of an infant weighing 1,500 grams or less**

Guided by a transaclional stress and coping model, within-group processes associated with the psychological adjustment of 90 mothers with a very low birthweight infant (VLBW; ≤ 1,500 gms) were assessed. The rates of significant psychological distress varied from 48% at the time of birth, to 33% at 3 to 6 weeks postpartum, to 41 % at 6 months corrected age. Furthermore, there was only 53% stability in the classification of mothers as high or low distress across the three assessment times. There was also considerable change in processes hypothesized to mediate maternal adjustment. Over the course of their infants first 6 months, mothers perceived less stress related to the infant but more stress associated with daily hassles and less family support and more conflict. In particular, support was provided for the mediational role of the stress of daily hassles, efficacy expectations, coping methods, and family functioning in maternal adjustments.

Outcome of Temporal Lobectomy in Adolescents

We performed temporal lobectomy in 23 young patients with intractable complex partial seizures (CPS) at an average age of 14.5 years. At a mean follow-up interval of 4.8 years, we reevaluated the patients to assess the surgical outcome; 74% were seizure-free. Cognitive testing showed slight improvement in Full-scale I.Q. scores and in some subtest scores. Wechsler Memory Scales had not changed significantly from the preoperative scores. Both pre- and postoperative Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventories 168 (MMPIs) were obtained in nine patients; and only postoperative MMPIs were obtained in 18. Pre- and postoperative social function, reported by the patients in a structured interview with a clinical psychologist (H.S.S.), was scored by a rating scale. All patients reported postoperative improvement in social function, although of variable degree. Patients were divided into a well-adjusted and a poorly adjusted group based on their postoperative social function. As compared with the well-adjusted group, the poorly adjusted group reported more preoperative social problems, had lower preoperative and postoperative I.Q. scores, had poorer postoperative seizure control, and had higher postoperative MMPI scores.

Improved Reasoning in Undergraduate Writing through Structured Workshops

The Department of Economics at Duke University has endeavored to increase participation in undergraduate honors thesis research while ensuring a high-quality learning experience. Given the faculty-to-student ratio in the department (approximately 1:16), increasing research participation required the creation of a stable, replicable framework for mentoring students through research. The department aimed to make the research experience more consistent and interactive so that students also learned from each other in a group setting. Here, the authors assess the relationship between changes in mentoring support of honors research and students’ scientific reasoning and writing skills reflected in their undergraduate theses. They find that students who participated in structured courses designed to support and enhance their research exhibited the strongest learning outcomes, as measured by systematic writing assessment.

A Construct Validity Study of the Missouri Children's Behavior Checklist with Developmentally Disabled Children.

Evaluated the construct validity of the MCBC scales and behavior profiles by determining the relationship between the MCBC and the clinical findings and recommendations that resulted from an interdisciplinary evaluation of children (N = 217) referred to a clinic for developmental disabilities. There were few differences in MCBC scale means and percentage occurrences of behavior profiles as a function of demographic factors and broad diagnostic categories. Substantial association was found between the MCBC and clinical findings of behavior problems. The association of the MCBC and clinical findings suggestive of affective problems was not as substantial, which suggests a need to augment the sensitivity of the MCBC in this area. The findings also suggested both the potential and the need for evolving additional MCBC behavior profiles that would reflect additional clinically meaningful subgroups among developmentally disabled children.

Applied behavior analysis in the treatment of mealtime tantrums and delay in self feeding in a multi‐handicapped child

Abstract Applied behavior analysis was used to treat the feeding problem of mealtime tantrums (crying and self‐injurious behavior) and delay in self feeding in a moderately retarded 6‐year‐old girl with microcephaly and microphthalmia. Treatment was conducted by a second year medical student without previous experience with this approach and subsequently by family members. The case and treatment procedures are discussed in terms of design considerations and the continuing efforts to delineate feeding problems in children and to treat these with a behavioral approach.

Development of a measure of college students' adherence to religious doctrine concerning sexual behavior.

Abstract Objective: The authors developed a 14-item measure of adherence to religious doctrine concerning sexual behavior (ARDSB). The ARDSB psychometric properties were investigated to better understand religious motivations associated with changes in sexual behavior that may provide support for sexual health promotion and prevention programs. Participants: Four hundred eighty-three undergraduates aged 18 to 26. Methods: Data were collected from an online survey during the 2012–2013 academic school year. Results: Principle components factor analysis identified 2 factors: reasons to break religious doctrine and reasons to adhere to religious doctrine concerning sexual behavior. The subscales had good internal consistency. Correlations, t tests, and analyses of variance of the subscales with measures of intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity and self-reported sexual behavior and risk provide support for concurrent validity. Conclusions: The ARDSB could be employed as a measure to better understand sexual behavior; it is inexpensive and relatively easy to employ in both research and campus ministry settings.

Psychology and the Health Care System

The purpose of this chapter is to delineate the challenges and opportunities confronting psychology as a health care science and profession that arise from the transactions of psychologists with medical settings. These transactions are considered from the perspective of the unique characteristics and contributions of psychologists and the characteristics of a health care system that is currently undergoing unprecedented changes.The purpose of this chapter is to delineate the challenges and opportunities confronting psychology as a health care science and profession that arise from the transactions of psychologists with medical settings. These transactions are considered from the perspective of the unique characteristics and contributions of psychologists and the characteristics of a health care system that is currently undergoing unprecedented changes.