A review of the literature on psychopathy indicated that the concept has been defined in many different ways, causing confusion among those attempting to understand and treat the disorder. Studies were reviewed which showed there is a high frequency of E.E.G. abnormality among psychopaths. These abnormalities usually consist of an excess of bilateral theta activity of a non-specific kind, but they may be focal, especially in the posterior temporal regions. Studies indicated that these abnormalities disappear over time. Various autonomic correlates of psychopathy were examined, and the theory evolved that psychopaths are chronically cortically underaroused, since much of the data indicated that the psychopath's optimal level of stimulation tends to be significantly higher than that which is considered normal. Psychopaths with E.E.G. abnormalities tend to behave in a more socially acceptable manner as they get older, whereas the prognosis for psychopaths in general is poor. The central hypothesis of this study was that psychopaths with E.E.G. abnormalities manifest asocial behaviour because of their pathological need for stimulation, while psychopaths with normal E.E.G.s manifest asocial behaviour due to factors unrelated to pathological stimulation seeking. Ss were 39 male inmates of three correctional institutions. All Ss were volunteers. Ss were placed in four groups; psychopaths with E.E.G. abnormalities, psychopaths with normal E.E.G.'s, non-psychopaths with E.E.G. abnormalities and non-psychopaths with normal E.E.G's. Due to sampling problems, the fourth group had only 9 Ss, while the other three groups contained 10 Ss each. M.M.P.I. scores were used to assign the diagnosis of psychopathy, while E.E.G. recordings were made and analysed by two competent technicians. Standard criteria were used in the diagnosis of psychopathy using the M.M.P.I.; tests used for analysis of E.E.G. configurations were also standard. Both are described in the study. The Sensation Seeking Scale was used as a measure of need for stimulation. All Ss completed the standard S.S.S. as well as a short form of the M.M.P.I. Activity Preference Questionnaire data was also obtained, but was not used in the analysis, as S.S.S. scores rendered this information redundant. The results supported the central hypothesis that psychopaths with abnormally slow E.E.G.s have stronger needs for varied sensory experience than do psychopaths with normal E.E.G.s or non-psychopaths. The results have important implications for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of psychopaths. It appears logical to diag-nostically separate psychopaths with E.E.G. abnormalities from those with normal E.E.G.'s. Prognosis for the former group is good, and normalization of E.E.G. patterns could be speeded up through the use of biofeedback techniques. Suggestions for future research were made. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

Early viewpoints considered religion to be associated with negative mental health or unfit to being observed by scientific practice. However, more recent research has suggested that religion not only may play an important role in determining mental health, but that the particular details of religion and parental religion, such as intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity, strength of religious faith, and religious well-being, have not been examined thoroughly. The current study examined 486 undergraduate students and found that participant and perceived parental religiosity were correlated negatively with participants‘ internalizing and externalizing problems; extrinsic-social religiosity was correlated positively with participants‘ internalizing and externalizing problems; while extrinsic-personal religiosity had no correlation with participants‘ internalizing and externalizing problems. The findings also showed that participant and maternal religious well-being were significant predictors of internalizing problems, while participant and maternal religious well-being, paternal extrinsic-social religiosity, and participant extrinsic-personal religiosity were significant predictors of externalizing problems.

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-103).

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2007 / Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Social Work. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-73).

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. Bryan R. Loney, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Psychology. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Sep. 21,2004). Includes bibliographical references.

Family-based treatments for adolescent substance abuse demonstrate efficacy and are becoming a treatment of choice. Family risk factors for substance abuse may present barriers to or suggest targets for modification during treatment. The sample included 149 adolescents presenting for substance abuse treatment and their parents. Structural equation modeling tested the hypothesis that parent psychological problems, parent substance use, and parenting behaviors influence adolescent psychological problems and substance use. This study is among the first to examine the unique impact of maternal and paternal variables on adolescent problems within one analytical model. Results indicated that parental psychological problems were directly associated with adolescent psychological problems after controlling for parent substance use and parenting behaviors. Paternal positive involvement and poor monitoring were also independently associated with adolescent substance use. Results suggest that both mothers' and fathers' symptoms of psychopathology play an important role in the symptoms of adolescents in treatment for substance abuse. Findings highlight the need for family-based assessment in adolescent treatment populations to address important clinical and research questions.