Rory Remer

Social Skills Training in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized-Controlled Clinical Trial

Evaluated efficacy of social skills training (SST) on children with 2 subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants were 120 children (30 girls, 90 boys), ages 8 to 12 with ADHD-Inattentive type (ADHD-I; n = 59) or Combined type (ADHD-C; n = 61). The children were randomly assigned within diagnosis subtype to the treatment condition (8 weeks of SST) or the no-intervention control condition. SST led to greater improvements in both parent- and child-perceived assertion skills in the children with ADHD, yet did not affect the other domains of social competence. Diagnostically heterogeneous groups led to greater improvements on parent-report of their childs cooperation and assertion abilities as well as childrens report of their own empathy skills. Diagnostically homogeneous groups led to greater decreases in externalizing behaviors at posttreatment but not at follow-up. Children with comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) did not benefit as much from the intervention. Children with ADHD-I improved in assertion skills more than children with ADHD-C, yet the 2 diagnostic entities did not differ in improvement levels across all other social skills.

Marital Satisfaction in Later Life: An Examination of Equity, Equality, and Reward Theories.

This study extended equity, equality, and reward theories, which have been well examined in younger populations, to predictions of marital satisfaction of older adults. One hundred-thirty-five elderly married participants were surveyed. Results: indicated: 1) equity perceptions significantly influenced marital satisfaction; 2) perceptions of equality and reward significantly affected marital satisfaction; and 3) perceived reward was the single most influential of the three independent variables, accounting for 44 percent of the variance in marital satisfaction; 4) gender was not a factor for any of the variables under study. Overall, the elderly married individuals studied were satisfied in their marriages. Exchange factors were found to significantly influence individuals satisfaction in their marital relationships; however, the most important of these factors was perceived rewards.

Career plateauing: Implications for career development specialists

ConclusionWhile career plateauing is a major challenge facing contemporary organizations, possible solutions are available. The career development specialist possessing a variety of skills geared toward both proaction and reaction can be instrumental in designing interventions which minimize the negative impact of plateauing. While career plateauing can be a devastating problem for many high achieving, self-sacrificing baby boomers, for others it may present an opportunity to escape the internal pressures for “success.” Much of what happens to a plateaued employee is determined by the resources possessed by the employee as well as the organizations response to the employee. The activities of the career development specialist constitute much of what is considered the organizations response. A career plateau may mark the beginning of a period characterized by frustration and depression or it may present the opportunity for a new challenge or reappraisal of life direction and goals.

Conceptions of rape

Where previous studies have examined attitudes and perceptions of the rape act, we have attempted to delve into the meanings which people impute at a less conscious level. Using Semantic Differential methodology, a stratified sample of participants rated the concepts of “assault,” “rape,” “seduction” and “love-making”; these were chosen along an underlying dimension of violence/coercion. Analysis incorporating the blocking variables (gender X SES) and other demographic personal information demonstrated that: “assault/rape” and “seduction/love-making” were seen as similar; “rape/seduction” as somewhat similar; and “assault/love-making” and “rape/love-making” as dissimilar. In general, important demographic/personal variables yielded no interpretable results. However, “prior rape experience” influenced participants’ conceptions of the act of rape significantly. This result is discussed in light of some mixed results of previous studies in this area. We also present suggestions for interventions, based on the findings of this study.

Valence of arousal and emotive imagery.

Valence of affective arousal on effectiveness of in vivo emotive imagery was explored. The 34 subjects were pretested for tolerance to discomfort, then instructed in and assessed for imagery production. The subjects were posttested for tolerance under three valence conditions induced by positive imagery, negative imagery, and distractor (neutral) scripts. A significant linear trend, pretest being low followed by negative, distractor, and positive conditions, was found. Valence of arousal appears to be the most important element contributing to effectiveness.

Urban Resource Teachers and Their Needs

handicapping conditions provide a significant portion of services for the disabled. Besides offering direct instruction, they serve as diagnosticians, program planners, and consultant-liaison personnel to other teachers and parents (McLoughlin & Kass, 1978). The role of the resource teacher is particularly popular because it enables disabled students to receive support from these specialists on a part-time basis and prevents them from being isolated from their normally developing peers. Thus, this flexible, multidimensional role has been used to considerable benefit for students and teachers. For

Politics and school psychology: A case study

Abstract School psychology is one of several professions in education which offer services beyond the regular school curriculum and program. Psychologists who work in school systems have long recognized the need to cooperate with these other professionals in school settings. In addition, they have been aware of the pressures from parents, teachers, and community groups which can impinge upon their jobs. However, limited availability of funding, federally mandated services, and legislation regarding certification are rapidly placing local, state, and national politics into prominance for school psychologists. An example is provided using the Commonwealth of Kentucky.