The use of sociometric assessment as a method for investigating the social competence of children and the prediction of future adjustment difficulties was reviewed. Recent methods used to form up to five sociometric groups (Popular, Average, Rejected, Neglected, and Controversial) were surveyed. Various combinations of raw scores, standard deviation units, standardized scores, and binomial probability scores have been used in classification procedures. lnclusion/exclusion criteria, or cutoff scores, have been based on arbitrary statistical decisions regarding the ”extremeness" of children’s statements (positive and negative nominations) regarding their peers. These aspects of sociometric categorization result in limitations on the validity and generalizability of research in the area. The current study attempted to develop an empirically based categorization system to remedy limitations to sociometric research. Four components made up the study. The relationship between a set of teacher-reported behavioral descriptors and continuous sociometric data was determined. Second, contingent-frequency tables for the behavioral descriptors most strongly associated with the sociometric data were developed. Third, cutting scores to maximize the behavioral homogeneity of sociometric groups were determined from this information. Finally, the efficiency of binomial scores in classifying children sociometrically was compared to that achieved by arbitrary classification schemes. An empirically based method for sociometric categorization was developed which differed significantly from previously devised methods. Discriminant function analyses for the new method and two arbitrary methods were performed to assess the prediction of Average, Popular, and Rejected groups from parent ratings. No significant difference was found between the three methods’ ability to correctly classify cases into one of the three groups with parent ratings as predictor variables. However, two important groups (Neglected and Controversial children) were deleted from the comparison because of inadequate size. This placed an unintended limit on the validational comparison. Advantages of an empirical approach to sociometric classification and implications of the study are discussed in terms of the cognitive psychological concept of prototypes. Limitations of the current study together with possible directions for future research are presented.

<p> For many people, providing care for a seriously ill family member is a major life event that may disrupt their life and personal goals. Research has demonstrated the experience of such events is often associated with increased symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. Although many researchers have examined factors that influence this relation, few have explored it from a motivational perspective. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to examine the influence of self-regulatory processes and motivational orientation on the relations between burden (caregiver and objective burden) and psychological distress (defined as the experience of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress). Caregivers of adult family members diagnosed with cancer in the past three years were asked to complete a battery of questionnaires on psychological distress, caregiver burden, objective burden, goal adjustment and regulatory focus orientation. It was predicted that caregiver burden would partially mediate the relation between objective burden and caregiver psychological distress. Furthermore, based on the notion of regulatory fit, the strength of the relation between objective burden and caregiver burden would be greater for caregivers who tend to exhibit a weaker prevention focus than a stronger prevention focus. Lastly, it was hypothesized that the strength of the relation between caregiver burden and psychological distress would be greater for caregivers who report a greater inability to disengage from goals than caregivers who report a greater ability to disengage from goals. Results suggested that objective burden is associated with psychological distress through caregiver burden. Inconsistent with our hypotheses, promotion focus, instead of prevention focus, moderated the relation between objective burden and caregiver burden. Lastly, findings suggest that an ability to disengage from goals alleviates symptoms of anxiety and stress, and an ability to disengage from goals alleviates symptoms of anxiety and stress, and an ability to reengage in goals alleviates symptoms of depressed mood.</p>

<p> The current study was conducted to assess if college students believed <i> Scared Straight</i> was an effective treatment for teens who commit crimes. This study also aimed to examine if a teaching component during the experimental group would change the students beliefs. There were 41 participants in this study all of which were recruited from an introductory psychology class. Participants were asked to complete the Treatment Evaluation Inventory- Short Form at pretest and posttest to assess the participants&rsquo; level of rated effectiveness. There was a significant relationship found between and within groups during pretest and posttest. Findings suggest that after viewing an episode of <i> Beyond Scared Straight</i> participants in both groups rated <i> Scared Straight</i> to be effective. After the Experimental group was presented with findings about the ineffectiveness of <i>Scared Straight </i> programs their effectiveness scores significantly decreased. </p>

<p>The psychological assessment literature has consistently reflected the importance of psychological assessment competency for professional psychologists across all training and practice settings. Past surveys of pre-doctoral internship directors have highlighted a troublesome misalignment between internship directors? assessment-related expectations of students and the actual competencies demonstrated by many beginning pre-doctoral psychology interns. The purpose of the present study was to survey psychology internship directors within the United States to examine their perspectives regarding current practices, emerging trends, and desired modifications in psychological assessment training at the internship level. A 32-item, online questionnaire was developed for this study that consisted of five distinct sections: (a) administration instructions; (b) respondent demographics; (c) characteristics of the internship program, including assessment training methods, role/function of assessment, and director?s satisfaction with assessment-related preparation of incoming interns; (d) training expectations and current psychological assessment measures used within the internship program; and (e) future directions of psychological assessment practices. The present dissertation maintained a particular focus on the fourth section, while two co-investigators addressed the other sections. Participants included 182 directors of pre-doctoral internships nationwide (26% response rate), as identified in the 2014-2015 APPIC directory of approved internship programs. The majority of the 182 responders identified as Caucasian (88%), with a mean age of 46.88 years; 66% were female and 34% were male. The results revealed broad similarities with past studies, including the continued importance of psychological assessment as a core competency and varying usage patterns of specific psychological measures across different types of internship settings. Likewise, a handful of measures were found to be relatively stable regarding high use by interns compared to earlier studies, including several Wechsler scales, the MMPI-2, and the BDI-II. Reported BAI and PAI use increased compared to earlier surveys. Results also revealed a significant decline in internship directors? reported use of projective instruments by interns, as well as a remarkable decrease in projective assessment emphasis overall. However, the Rorschach remained a highly valued assessment measure for pre-internship experience. These findings present significant implications for academic curriculum and practicum-level training in assessment. Other findings, recommendations, study limitations, and suggestions for future research are explored.

<p> Family businesses are critical to the economy and quality of life of over 50% of the world&rsquo;s population (European Family Businesses, 2012, p.2). Prevalent as they are, scant research exists with regard to the emotional, every day aspects.</p><p> This study included people who have participated in a family business for at least 5 years, either in Mexico or the United States. The aim of this thematic analysis study is to highlight the complexities of the psychological&ndash;emotional aspects affecting family businesses and to qualify Mexican and United States cultural aspects capable of influencing the operation of family businesses. </p><p> Data were generated through semistructured interviews with 12 participants. The analysis produced three core themes. First, in the business and family confluence, the identity of families who own businesses was explored. The main findings were: feelings of pressure to join in family businesses experienced by heirs to these businesses, difficulties in the process of transferring leadership of the businesses, and the concern of families to maintain a positive public image.</p><p> Second, relationship issues of family businesses were explored. The main participants found in a family business were identified as the originator, the son/daughter, the spouse, and the trusted employee. An exploration of their roles and how they interacted yielded two themes: conflict and boundaries. Multilayered, complex relationships make for difficult-to-manage dynamics in both business and family. Exploring the boundaries produced a unified systems perspective, suggesting that there is more permeability between subsystems in a family business than traditional approaches imply.</p><p> Finally, in the intersection of culture, family, and business, three themes emerged. First, individualism versus collectivism in the family business: U.S. participants experienced family expectations as external demands that reduced their sense of agency. Mexican participants appeared to foster group entrenchment, but with support. Second, levels of affect in interpersonal relationships were high in Mexican families, whereas U.S. participants were more open to discussing issues while keeping greater emotional distance. Third, the power dynamics of U.S. families seemed to be characterized by a challenge to authority; their Mexican counterparts were found to be highly hierarchical and patriarchal dependent.</p>

<p> This study used an inductive, qualitative content analysis to investigate what aspects or elements of personal growth influence professional development in first-year clinical psychology doctoral students. Fifty-three journal entries reflecting critical moments during clinical training were coded using consensual agreement and interpretative phenomenological analysis. This study found six core themes representing aspects or elements of personal growth influencing professional development: Hindering beliefs and experiences, uncertainty, emotional presence, cognitive shifts, experiential learning, and intent. These findings are discussed in relation to current literature. Implications of the findings, future directions for research, and personal reflections are included.</p>

<p> Scope of Study: The scope of this study was to examine the experiences of mothers participating in a pilot program for teaching PCIT skills in a group setting. The importance of the current research is the implementation of a new delivery method of PCIT concepts in a psychoeducational group setting specifically designed for substance using women who do not have the frequency of contact with their children necessary to complete PCIT as it was intended. Developed by the researcher, the PCIT skills group used in this study was a new modality for PCIT treatment to teach the components of PCIT to substance using mothers. The PCIT skills group also included additional educational components including information on how attachments are formed, the impact of substance use on parent-child attachments, the struggles children with attachment problems face, and on repairing attachment problems. </p><p> Findings and Conclusions: The purpose of this study was to utilize a newly designed treatment model, a psychoeducational PCIT skills parenting group with an attachment-based focus, with substance using mothers in a residential treatment program in order to assess the potential effectiveness of this treatment delivery model and method. The results demonstrated success in some areas, such as enhancing the understanding of the impact of substance use on the parent-child relationship and increasing knowledge about the importance of meeting children&rsquo;s emotional needs along with to their physical needs. In addition, some themes not being specifically addressed in the research were represented in the results. The main theme identified was the high presence of guilt experienced by the participants and the influence that guilt has on multiple dynamics within the parent-child relationship. Based on these finding, modifications will be made to the treatment group to incorporate a significant component focusing on guilt along with interventions and techniques to address issues stemming from the guilt. </p><p> The results of this study contributed to ideas for further research in regard to substance using mothers and their relationships with their children. More research needs to be conducted in order to further the development of effective attachment-based treatment modality for this population. The results of this study also identified an important need in terms of addressing guilt when working with substance using mothers, as it was identified as highly influential in parent-child attachment, parent-child interactions and in the parents&rsquo; ability to implement appropriate parenting interventions with their children.</p>

The effects of two physical fitness programs on children's self-concept, locus of control and mood were investigated in this study. It was expected that children who participated in a vigorous running program would demonstrate reduced depression and anxiety but a more internal locus of control and an increase in self-concept than children in a routine exercise group. Participants in the Running Group were three fifth grade classes of a public elementary school in Richmond, Virginia (N = 60). Participants in the Routine Exercise Group were three fifth grade classes from a comparable public elementary school in the same district (N = 75). Children in both groups completed the Children's Depression Inventory (CDl), trait measure of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC-T), Children's Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Control Scale (CNS-I E), and Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale prior to treatment. Nine-minute timed runs, skinfold measurement, and a test of the number of sit-ups completed during a 60-second time period were also administered. Children in both groups received daily 10-20 minute exercise periods for five weeks, supervised and monitored by their classroom teachers. Children in the Routine Exercise Group received a variety of fitness activities. Children in the Running Group received a running program a maximum of three days a week and a variety of fitness activities on the remaining days. At the end of five weeks, both groups were re-assessed on the same measures. Overall, statistical analyses suggest that differential treatment effects were non-significant. The influence of both exercise programs taken as a whole on physical and psychological measures was assessed due to the project's inability to substantiate the original hypotheses. The calculation of repeated measures analysis of variance revealed statistically significant differences on all physical and psychological measures, but no significant clinical effects. A correlation matrix was then computed. High pre- and post-scores on the timed run test were significantly correlated with low depression and anxiety scores and with a more internal locus of control. These findings suggested possible weaknesses in the study including strong demand characteristics, weak intervention, and/or inadequate psychological measures for future studies were outlined.

<p> This autoethnographic study, from the perspective of novice clinicians, used a directed, or deductive, qualitative content analysis to explore the presence of transcendent experiences, as one aspect of personal growth for three first year clinical psychology doctoral students. A total of fifty-three journal entries describing critical moments during their first-year clinical training and supervision experience were used for this study. Coding categories for transcendence that reflected the quality of &ldquo;being more&rdquo; were drawn from existing literature. In descending order of frequency, results from this exploratory study found that transcendence was experienced by these trainees, centered first and predominantly on capacity (or competence), followed by themes involving: the pursuit of truth, the emergence of altruism, the development of self-identity, reflections beyond the self, awe and spirituality and finally, growth through peak experiences. The findings are discussed as they relate to current literature, along with limitations, implications and recommendations, and this author&rsquo;s personal reflections.</p>

<p> Bipolar disorder is a condition leading to an increased risk of suicide, often due to non-compliance and mood instability. Research has shown the desire of many to incorporate complementary medicine in order to more effectively reduce the negative symptoms of bipolar disorder. However, there is still little research as to which complementary treatments have been utilized by individuals with bipolar disorder and the effectiveness of said treatments. The study objectives were to determine, based on participant perception, which complementary treatment was perceived to be most effective in reducing symptoms of bipolar disorder. Twenty-three participants completed a self-report questionnaire where they were asked about types of CAM treatments utilized and the perceived effectiveness of these therapies. Information received from the participants provided knowledge about the types of CAM treatments utilized. According to the perception of the participants, CAM use was considered to be more effective in reducing symptoms of bipolar disorder compared to the effectiveness of psychotherapy. Chi square and t test analyses were performed to determine significance of CAM use versus psychotherapy. Future research could be to research the effectiveness of specific CAM treatments and determine whether CAM use alone is more effective than CAM use and psychotherapy.</p>