Ronald S. Drabman

Doctor or nurse: children's perception of sex typed occupations.

128 children between ages of 5 and 6 years were shown 4 films depicting all possible combinations of female and male physicians and nurses. Results showed that when confronted with counter-stereotypical occupational portrayals, children were likely to relabel them into the typical instance of the male physician and the female nurse. There was a stronger tendency for the subjects to relabel the male nurse than to relabel the female physician. The childrens relabeling of the roles presented was not due to inattention to the stimulus materials (videotapes). Neither sex, nor age, nor the number of physician visits in the last year were related to the frequency of relabeling. Maternal employment and exposure to real male nurses were related to correct identification of the male nurse and the female physician. The results suggest that the relabeling and its asymmetric character may be due to the differential exposure of children to female physicians and male nurses.

Relationships among children's health-related behaviors: A multivariate, developmental perspective

Considerable evidence documents the aggregation of cardiovascular risk factors in children; yet, very little is known about the covariation of childrens health practices. Accordingly, using a multivariate and developmental perspective, the present research examines the interrelationships among multiple health behaviors (i.e., physical activity, eating habits, smoking, alcohol use, and stress-related behaviors) in 1,092 predominantly low-socioeconomic status, rural schoolchildren (ages 11-18, grades 6-12). Our data provide support for a multidimensional view of childrens health habits and suggest that patterns of interrelationships may vary at different developmental levels. Implications of these results are discussed and directions for future research are highlighted.

The performance of obese and normal size children on a delay of gratification task

Abstract We sought to extend Schachters external hypothesis of obesity to children by predicting that obese children would evidence fewer delayed choices than normals on a delay of gratification task. Obese and normal size children ranging in age from 6–11 yr were presented with ten choices (5 food, 5 non-food) each of which involved an immediately available, smaller reward or two of the same available the next day. For the total group, the expected relationship between degree of obesity and delayed choices was significant for the food but not the non-food items. While significant, the former relationship was small and not characteristic of all age groups. The results are discussed within a developmental framework of externality and obesity.

The trials of childhood: The development, reliability, and validity of the daily life stressors scale

The assessment of daily life stress in youngsters is receiving extensive research attention due to its pertinence to psychological and medical problems. This investigation addressed concerns from previous studies of daily life stress in children and adolescents. These included an integration with ratings of negative affectivity, exploration of developmental changes, and presentation of psychometric data. The Daily Life Stressors Scale (DLSS) is a 30-item measure designed to assess the severity of aversive feelings and everday events for youngsters. Three groups of children and adolescents were evaluated to assess the scales test-retest reliability and construct and concurrent validity. Developmental changes in a normative group were also examined. Results indicated the DLSS to be moderately reliable and valid for children. Also, male children reported more stress than female children, whereas female adolescents reported more stress than male adolescents. Results were discussed with respect to resilience, gender role stress, therapy implications, and usefulness for determining precursors to physiological problems.

A modified habit reversal procedure in a recalcitrant case of trichotillomania.

An 11-year-old girl with a severe and recalcitrant case of trichotillomania was successfully treated with a modified habit reversal procedure. Erosion estimates and serial photographic assessment methods were used to document client progress over a one-year period. Treatment effects were socially validated by attractiveness ratings of 20 same-aged children. Results extend the use of habit reversal procedures to a severe case and address the need for reliable and valid assessment procedures as well as extended follow-up.

Children's Perception of Media-Portrayed Sex Roles.

The immediate impact on preschool and elementary school children of a televised presentation in which the traditional sex roles of physician and nurse were reversed was examined. After viewing a videotape of a male nurse and a female physician, subjects were asked to identify photographs or names of the physician and nurse. Preschool, first-, and fourth-grade children selected male names or pictures for the physician and female names or pictures for the nurse, thereby reversing genders. Their immediate recall appeared strongly influenced by their stereotypes rather than by the film they had just viewed. Seventh-grade children correctly identified the names of the physician and nurse.

Eating styles of obese and nonobese black and white children in a naturalistic setting.

Abstract The number of bites, number of chews, number of sips, number of talks, and number of chews per bite were compared by observing 120 obese and nonobese, black and white children in their school cafeterias. A 2 × 2 × 2 analysis of variance revealed that obese children took significantly more bites, significantly fewer chews, and significantly fewer chews per bite in 30-sec intervals. Males took significantly more bites and chewed more often than females. There were no significant effects of race and no significant interactions. Additionally, the data on sips and talks did not reach significance. These data represent the beginnings of a microanalysis of the problems of childhood obesity, and their behavioral treatment implications are discussed.

Handbook of Clinical Behavioral Pediatrics

I Basic Principles.- 1 Clinical Behavioral Pediatrics: An Introduction.- 2 The Psychologist as a Pediatric Consultant: Inpatient and Outpatient.- 3 Developmental Issues in Behavioral Pediatrics.- 4 Assessment Strategies in Clinical Behavioral Pediatrics.- II Clinical Disorders.- 5 Cognitive-Biobehavioral Assessment and Treatment of Pediatric Pain.- 6 Headache.- 7 Eating Disorders: Food Refusal and Failure to Thrive.- 8 Cancer in Children and Adolescents.- 9 Behavioral Management of the Child with Diabetes.- 10 Bladder-Control Problems and Self-Catheterization.- 11 Asthma.- 12 Childhood Sleep Disorders.- III Newer Areas of Clinical Intervention in Behavioral Pediatrics.- 13 Pediatric Burns.- 14 Tics and Tourette Syndrome.- 15 The Role of Behavior Therapy in Cystic Fibrosis.- 16 Allergies: Behavioral Effects and Treatment Implications.- 17 Therapeutic Consultation in Pediatric Dentistry.- 18 Recurrent Abdominal Pain in Children: Assessment and Treatment.- 19 Elevated Blood Pressure.- 20 Prematurity and Low Birthweight: Clinical Behavioral Intervention.- 21 Short Stature: The Special Case of Growth Hormone Deficiency.- IV General Issues.- 22 Preparing Children for Hospitalization and Threatening Medical Procedures.- 23 Patient Compliance: Pediatric and Adolescent Populations.- 24 Accident Prevention: Overview and Reconceptualization.- 25 Psychology and Pediatrics: The Future of the Relationship.

An investigation of pledging behavior to a national charitable telethon

The present study examined when individuals were most likely to donate money to a national televised telethon. With the cooperation of local television producers in Greenville, Mississippi, during the 1980 Cerebral Palsy Telethon, the investigators examined how the number of pledges and the amount of money pledged varied with three naturally occurring events of the 20-hr telethon: national time (live from Hollywood, primarily celebrity entertainment, interviews, and information about cerebral palsy), local time (live from Greenwood, Mississippi, primarily local celebrities and entertainment), and local time with pledges announced (announcing the names of the individuals pledging money and the amount of money pledged). Local time with pledges announced was the most effective fundraising period during the telethon.

Suppression of chronic drooling in mentally retarded children and adolescents: Effectiveness of a behavioral treatment package

A treatment package consisting of positive reinforcement for dryness and overcorrection for wetness was used to reduce drooling in two populations. Experiment I assessed the effectiveness of the procedure with three profoundly retarded and physically handicapped subjects. Experiment II examined the effectiveness of the procedure with two nonhandicapped moderately and mildly retarded subjects. In both experiments, the treatment package was effective in reducing or eliminating long-term chronic drooling. Maintenance of gains over a 6-month period was found for four of the five subjects.