bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nature of relations between the physical and social microenvironment of the two‐year‐old child
Authors: Wachs Theodore D.
Published: June 2007

Previous research has demonstrated that high levels of noise, crowing or person traffic pattern in infants' homes are associated with less involved and less responsive caregiving by parents. Based on these previous findings two questions were investigated in the present research. First, does the same pattern of relations appear with older toddlers; second, are these patterns unique to the specific dimensions of noise, crowding and traffic pattern? Subjects were 56 2‐year‐old toddlers. Based upon repeated home observations the physical and social environments fo the toddlers' homes were assessed using codes from the Purdue Home Stimulation Inventory. Analysis of the interrelation between the phychology and social microenvironments of these toddlers was based upon canonical correlation. Congruent with preovious research, interpretation of the canonical structure revealed that high levels of noise, crowding or traffic pattern in the home were associated with lower caregiver attentiveness and responsivity. Results also indicated that this pattern was unique to the specific physical environment dimensions of noise, crowding and traffic pattern. Implications of these results for alternate care settings are discussed.
What do parents talk about to infants?
Authors: Pěcheux Marie‐Germaine , Labrell Florence , Pistorio Marc
Published: June 2007

The content of parents' talk is studied here as expressing their conception of their developing infant, from the initial symbiotic fusion to an individual situtated in space, time and society. The topics parents introduce in their speech to their infant reflect the perception and expectations they have of their baby. The social and parental status of fathers and mothers, and the anticipated role and status of the child‐ and adult‐to‐be, and in particular the age and gender of the infant, mediate the choice of topics. Parents' spontaneous speech to 3‐month‐ and 9‐month‐old infants was studied during a diapering episode, before leaving the day‐care centre. Five minutes of such a speech was recorded, and each utterance was assigned to a semantic category (e. g. greetings, comments on diapering, on mood). Sex‐typing is already noticeable as early as 3 months of age: comments on the present situation and state are more frequent for girls, and comments about absent persons or events more frequent with boys. Both parents contribute to this effect, fathers more than mothers. With age parents become less concerned with immediate problems and more aware of the infant's own performances. First names are used more for boys than for gilrs. As a whole, boys are considered as individuals earlier than girls.
Deafness and mother–child interaction: Scaffolded instruction and the learning of problem‐solving skills
Authors: Jamieson Janet R. , Pedersen Eigil D.
Published: June 2007

This study examines the effects of maternal teaching style on the developing problem‐solving abilities of deaf and hearing pre‐school children. Mothers and children from three matched groups, hearing mother‐deaf child, hearing mother‐hearing child, and deaf mother‐deaf child, were videotaped while the mother instructed the child on a block construction task and again when the child attempted the task independently. Dependent measures were maternal instructional style and child performance. The mothers in the deaf mother‐deaf child and hearing mother‐hearing child dyads used appropriate scaffolding behaviour and their children were more likely to exhibit adept and independent problem‐solving abilities than the deaf children of hearing mothers. The findings of this study support Vygotsky's notion of the ‘zone of proximal development’ and the concept of adult scaffolding of children's learning.
Sibling attachment: The development of a new infant‐based measure (SPPIR)
Authors: Kier Cheryl A. , Lewis Charlie N.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes a new infant‐based measure for assessing infant attachment to a sibling during a modified strange situation procedure. Research has demonstrated that young siblings often form a special relationship and that they prefer to interact with one another rather than with an unfamiliar peer. Also it has been shown that older siblings can respond appropriately to the distress of an infant. Research on relationships has moved from frequency counts of discrete behaviours towards more global measures of the ways in which behaviour is organized. These have tended to focus upon the older child as caregiver or the influence of the mother‐child relationship on child‐child interaction during the strange situation. The main findings of previous studies are presented. This paper describes a new method for measuring sibling attachment. Advantages of the new scoring system over previous procedures are that it utilizes ethological attachment theory, it is infant‐based, it allows for a variety of infant reactions to reunion with the older sibling, and it focuses on overall patterns of behaviour rather than tallies of frequences.
Lack of early child care effects on school‐age children's social competence and academic achievement
Authors: Chin‐Quee Dawn S. , Scarr Sandra
Published: June 2007

Teacher ratings of social competence and academic achievement were obtained from a sample of 127 Bermudian children at ages 5, 6, 7 and 8 years. The children were studied first during their pre‐school years, when they had been exposed to various amounts and qualities of day care. Quality of care was found to be important to the children's intellectual and social development while they were in the day care settings but not after 1–4 years of primary schooling. In hierarchical and simultaneous regressions, family background characteristics, not child care amounts or qualities, were found to be predictive of social competence and academic achievement in the primary grades. By school age, the effects of infant and preschool child care experiences were no longer influential in children's development, but family background continued to be important. These findings and their implications for child care are discussed.
Infant food refusal and parental social support
Authors: Lindberg Lene , Bohlin Gunilla , Hagekull Berit
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the relations between various aspects of social support and maternal and infant outcome variables in a group of families having infants showing food refusal compared to a control group. In the case of early food refusal, the results indicated that access to emotional support and satisfaction with support were related to maternal psychosomatic health. The relationships were interpreted as showing that social support has moderating effects on negative outcomes of food refusal.
Adults' estimates of pre‐school children's verbal and motor abilities compared with those children's scores on an individual developmental test
Authors: Gudmundsson Einar , Gretarsson Sigurdur J.
Published: June 2007

Forty‐seven mothers estimated their pre‐school children's development on a psychometrically constructed multidomain mothers' inventory. Similar data were obtained for the same children from 13 pre‐school teachers. The mothers' and pre‐school teachers' estimates were compared to the children's scores on McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA). The mothers' inventory responses yielded convergent–divergent correlations with the MSCA results; in two domains out of seven, their standardized estimations were significantly lower than standardized MSCA scores, and in no case higher. Teachers' estimates deviated more than mothers' estimates from MSCA verbal and motor development scores, though in the latter case the difference between teachers and mothers were less marked. Both mothers' and teachers' difference scores (i.e. deviation of their estimates from MSCA scores) were highly correlated with the respective MSCA scores. However, when the difference scores are adjusted for shared error variance, the correlations shrink and are in most cases non‐significant.
Facial expressions and vagal tone of infants of depressed and non‐depressed mothers
Authors: Pickens Jeffrey N. , Field Tiffany
Published: June 2007

Mothers classified as ‘depressed’, ‘non‐depressed’ or ‘low scoring’ on the Beck Depression Inventory and their 3‐month‐old infants were videotaped during 3‐minute face‐to‐face play interactions. Infants' facial expressions were coded using the AFFEX facial expression coding system and their EKG was recorded during the interactions to assess the relationship between cardiac measures and facial expressivity. Infants of both ‘depressed’ and ‘low scoring’ mothers showed significantly more sad and anger expressions and fewer interest expressions than infants of nondepressed mothers. Cardiac vagal tone, (quantified from the amplitude of respiratory sinus arrhythmia) was correlated with infants' joy and interest expressions and with self‐comfort behaviours in the non‐depressed and low scoring groups, but not in the depressed group. The results suggest that matermal depression affects infants' affective state and appearance as well as their biobehavioural emotional regulation systems.
Clinical, developmental and social aspects of infant crying and colic
Authors: James‐Roberts Ian St , Conroy Sue , Wilsher Katie
Published: June 2007

Persistent unexplained infant crying in the first few months is a common source of distress for parents and is costly for the health services. The aim was to assess the merits of developmental and social conceptualizations of this phenomenon, compared to the clinical approach as represented by the concept of colic. From a community sample of 530 infants, 67 who met the ‘rule of threes’ definition of colic by fussing and crying for 3 or more hours per day at 4‐5 weeks of age were chosen. To avoid confusion, these infants were called ‘persistent criers’. Groups of ‘evening criers’ (N = 38) and ‘moderate cries’ (N = 55) were also selected. These 160 infants were assessed by researcher measures of their consolability and by maternal diary measures of their amounts of fussing, crying and colic behaviour when 5‐6 weeks old. The persistent and evening criers cried more than the moderate criers. However, irritable, ‘fussy’ behaviour was the predominant form of distress for all three groups of infants. Colic bouts–defined as ‘bouts of intense, unsoothable crying and other behaviour, perhaps due to stomach or bowel pain’–were rare even among the persistent criers and only 7% of these infants were found to be inconsolable. The results support growing evidence that normal infant developmental processes are central to this phenomenon. In addition, social interactions between infants and parents, and parental subjective variables, appear to be involved. Colic was distinguished as a rare and separate form of distress by the infants' mothers. Further evidence needs to determine whether colic is a distinct clinical phenomenon or an extreme degree of normal distress interpreted within a western cultural framework.
Detecting haplotype effects in genomewide association studies
Authors: Huang B.E. , Amos C.I. , Lin D.Y.
Published: June 2007

The analysis of genomewide association studies requires methods that are both computationally feasible and statistically powerful. Given the large‐scale collection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), it is desirable to explore the information contained in their interrelationships. In particular, utilizing haplotypes rather than individual SNPs and accounting for correlations of polymorphisms in adjustment for multiple testing can lead to increased power. We present a statistically powerful and numerically efficient method based on sliding windows of adjacent SNPs to detect haplotype‐disease association in genomewide studies. This method consists of an efficient algorithm to calculate a proper likelihood‐ratio statistic for any given window of SNPs, along with an accurate and efficient Monte Carlo procedure to adjust for multiple testing. Simulation studies using the HapMap data showed that the proposed method performs well in realistic situations. We applied the new method to a case‐control study on rheumatoid arthritis and identified several loci worthy of further investigations. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Testing association for markers on the X chromosome
Authors: Zheng Gang , Joo Jungnam , Zhang Chun , Geller Nancy L.
Published: June 2007

Test statistics for association between markers on autosomal chromosomes and a disease have been extensively studied. No research has been reported on performance of such test statistics for association on the X chromosome. With 100,000 or more single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) available for genome‐wide association studies, thousands of them come from the X chromosome. The X chromosome contains rich information about population history and linkage disequilibrium. To identify X‐linked marker susceptibility to a disease, it is important to study properties of various statistics that can be used to test for association on the X chromosome. In this article, we compare performance of several approaches for testing association on the X chromosome, and examine how departure from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium would affect type I error and power of these association tests using X‐linked SNPs. The results are applied to the X chromosome of Klein et al. [2005], a genome‐wide association study with 100K SNPs for age‐related macular degeneration. We found that a SNP (rs10521496) covered by DIAPH2, known to cause premature ovarian failure (POF) in females, is associated with age‐related macular degeneration. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Operational Effect Variables and Functional Ecosystem Classifications – a Review on Empirical Models for Aquatic Systems along a Salinity Gradient
Authors: Håkanson Lars , Bryhn Andreas C. , Blenckner Thorsten
Published: June 2007

This paper presents a comparative study based on a very comprehensive set of empirical data from many international data bases including fresh water systems, coastal brackish water areas and marine coastal areas. We present a general trophic level classification system (oligotrophic, mesotrophic, eutrophic and hypertrophic categories) for sites/areas characterised by a wide range of salinities. This classification system targets on the following operational effect variables (bioindicators), which are meant to reflect key structural and functional aspects of aquatic ecosystems and characteristic (median) values for entire defined areas (the ecosystem scale) for the growing season: Secchi depth (as a standard measure of water clarity), chlorophyll‐a concentrations (a measure of primary phytoplankton biomass), the oxygen saturation in the deep‐water zone (an indicator reflecting sedimentation, oxygen consumption, oxygen concentrations and the habitat conditions for zoobenthos, an important functional group) and the macrophyte cover (an important variable for the bioproduction potential, including fish production, and the “biological value” of aquatic systems). For a wide range of systems, these bioindicators can be predicted using practically useful models, i.e., models based on variables that can be accessed from standard monitoring programs and maps. These bioindicators are regulated by a set of abiotic factors, such as salinity, suspended particulate matter (SPM), nutrient concentrations (N and P), morphometry and water exchange. Empirical data ultimately form the basis for most ecological/environmental studies and this work uses maybe the most comprehensive data set ever related to trophic level conditions. It also gives compilations of empirically‐based (statistical) models quantifying how the variables are interrelated and how they reflect fundamental aspects of aquatic ecosystems. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the existence of resolvable K4 − e designs
Authors: Ge Gennian , Ling Alan C. H.
Published: June 2007

In this article, we settle a problem which originated in 4 regarding the existence of resolvable (K4 − e)‐design. We solve the problem with two possible exceptions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 15: 502–510, 2007
Pair covering and other designs with block size 6
Authors: Abel R. Julian R. , Bluskov Iliya , Greig Malcolm , de Heer Jan
Published: June 2007

A t‐(v, k, λ) covering design is a set of b blocks of size k such that each t‐set of points occurs in at least λ blocks, and the covering number Cλ(v, k, t) is the minimum value of b in any t‐(v, k, λ) covering design. In this article, we determine C1(v, 6, 2) for v ≡ 2 (mod 5), showing C1(v, 6, 2) attains the Schönheim bound. We also show C1(v, 6, 2) attains the Schönheim bound for v ≡ 1 (mod 5) whenever v ≥ 23986. If Uλ(v, k, t) denotes the Schönheim bound for t‐(v, k,λ) packing designs, then we show that D1(v, 6, 2) = U1(v, 6, 2) − 1 and D1(v − 1, 6, 2) = U1(v − 1, 6, 2) if v ≡ 11 (mod 15) and v ≥ 23441, and D1(v, 6, 2) = U1(v, 6, 2) and D1(v − 1, 6, 2) = U1(v − 1, 6, 2) if v ≡ 1, 6, (mod 15) and v ≥ 811. In addition, we improve the existence results for (v, 6, 1( BIBDs and (v, K, 1) PBDs when K = H1(5) = {k:k ≡ 1 (mod 5)} and when K = {6} ∪ (H1(5) ∩ {prime powers}). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 15: 511–533, 2007
A SepPak unit for batch processing serial blood plasma samples for PET
Authors: Grierson John R. , Wiens Linda , Peterson Lanell , Vesselle Hubert
Published: June 2007

A prototype blood plasma processor unit was designed and tested for generic PET‐tracer metabolite analyses, using solid‐phase‐extraction cartridges (SepPaks). An assay method for FLT (3′‐deoxy‐3′‐[F‐18]fluorothymidine) and its blood metabolite: FLT‐glucuronide, in serial, patient‐derived samples was developed to evaluate the device. The unit is simple to construct from readily available components and can process up to six samples in parallel for high throughput. The precision of sample results was evaluated in a test–retest trial and was 98%. A syringe pump method for sample application and SepPak elution proved to be a reliable technique. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Olfactory axon guidance: The modified rules
Authors: Schwarting Gerald A. , Henion Timothy R.
Published: June 2007

The olfactory system represents a complex model for the investigation of factors that influence the guidance of sensory axon populations to specific targets in the CNS. In the mouse, the projections of approximately 1,000 neuronal subsets, each defined by expression of a distinct odorant receptor (OR), converge at unique glomerular loci in the olfactory bulb (OB). Unlike the case in other sensory systems, proper guidance is achieved without benefit of any known cues in the target itself that are capable of attracting or repelling specific axons. It has long been argued that OR proteins are the critical molecules orchestrating guidance. However, recent studies suggest that axon identity may be dependent on the graded expression of a variety of unique olfactory axon guidance cues. This review focuses attention on these non‐OR factors and their roles in olfactory axon guidance. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Making a life in the field of organization science
Authors: Glick William H. , Miller C. Chet , Cardinal Laura B.
Published: June 2007

In a provocative address and article, Jeff Pfeffer called for greater consensus and stronger paradigm development in organization science. John Van Maanen and others responded with encouragement for the existing order where a thousand flowers can bloom. More than 10 years after this debate, it appears that many flowers are still blooming. Lost in the original and current discourse, however, is the story of individuals struggling to make a life in a field characterized by weak paradigm development. In this essay, we tell their story, a story of wasted efforts and uncertain outcomes. The degree of dissensus and weak paradigm development in our field has significant implications for junior scholars. These implications will not be ameliorated by calling for stronger paradigm development. Wishing for consensus does not appear to have any impact on our field or on individual outcomes. Rather than despair over the plight of the field and the tremendous costs to individuals, we conclude with a simple proposal designed to aid aspiring scholars. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patellar blood flow during knee arthroplasty surgical exposure: Intraoperative monitoring by laser doppler flowmetry
Authors: Hempfing Axel , Schoeniger Ralf , Koch Peter P. , Bischel Oliver , Thomsen Marc
Published: June 2007

Patellofemoral complications following knee arthroplasty are a well‐known problem. Patellar ischemia has been suspected to be causative for fracture, anterior knee pain, and patella component failure. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of knee arthroplasty surgical dissection on patellar blood flow. Patellar blood flow was measured by means of intraosseous laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in 10 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty by a standard medial parapatellar approach. The initial blood flow was 121.6 ± 114.7 AU. The signal significantly decreased by 71% (p = 0.0051) when the knee was flexed and lost the pulsatile signal pattern in 80%. After arthrotomy, the signal was 100.1 ± 120.3 AU in extension. The lowest signal was found in flexion and eversion of the patella (mean, 18 ± 10.7 AU) and all signals lost pulsatility. As compared to the initial values, completion of the soft tissue dissection did not lead to a significant change of the blood flow signal (121.3 ± 104.8; p = 0.6835). Flexion of the knee joint markedly reduced patellar perfusion. Standard medial parapatellar approach did not significantly change patellar blood flow. This study does not support the theory of postoperative patellar ischemia as a cause of anterior knee pain or patellofemoral problems. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:1389–1394, 2007
Helping families of homicide victims: A multidimensional approach
Authors: Masters Rosemary , Friedman Lucy N. , Getzel George
Published: June 2007

Homicide inflicts massive injury upon the intrapsychic and interpersonal realities of the surviving kin of murder victims. A New York City pilot program of outreach and counselling to 1182 families of Brooklyn homicide victims suggests that surviving kin undergo the symptoms of traumatic stress disorder. Recovery is prolonged by knowledge that the perpetrator is usually alive and in some cases unpunished, by repetitive confrontations with the criminal justice system and by the multiple losses endured: loss of a family member, loss of illusions of safety and invulnerability, loss of a sense of trust in the surrounding community, and loss of a belief system. Effective help to survivors requires interventions that respond to all aspects of the survivors' losses.
Mediating effects of intrapersonal and social support on mental health 1 and 3 years after a natural disaster
Authors: Murphy Shirley A.
Published: June 2007

Knowledge regarding social support has increased expotentially in the last decade; however, it remains unclear how support prevents or relieves stress and whether persons experiencing different kinds of stress need different kinds of support. This paper explores these issues. First, some of the stressful encounters reported by disaster victims are identified. Next, alternative schools of thought regarding how social support is conceptualized and measured is discussed. Finally, a longitudinal disaster study conducted by the author in which two rival hypotheses (self‐efficacy and social support) were tested in mediating the relationship between stress and health is reported. Recommendations for future study are suggested in light of current methodological issues and study findings.
Post‐traumatic stress disorder in Vietnam combat veterans: Effects of traumatic violence exposure and military adjustment
Authors: Gallers Johanna , Foy David W. , Donahoe Clyde P. , Goldfarb John
Published: June 2007

Thirty high‐combat Vietnam veterans with a diagnosis of Post‐traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were compared with a second group of 30 high‐combat Vietnam veterans without evidence of PTSD on measures of military adjustment and exposure to traumatic violence during combat. Military adjustment was assessed for precombat and combat service periods and included measures of alcohol and drug use, disciplinary actions, and social support. The PTSD‐positive group reported significantly greater exposure to traumatic violence and more distress at having observed and participated in such acts than did the PTSD‐negative group. Multiple regression analysis revealed the five traumatic violence frequency and distress scales to be significant predictors of severity of PTSD symptoms. Group differences were not attributable to premilitary demographic or social adjustment variables. Analyses of covariance demonstrated that both groups increased their drug and alcohol use and reported fewer social supports from precombat to combat periods. Results support the residual stress model of PTSD etiology, implicating trauma as the major contributing factor in the disorder.
Familial abuse and post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: McCormack Arlene , Burgess Ann W. , Hartman Carol
Published: June 2007

Previous study of a sample of 149 adolescent runaways showed that youths who left home because of familial physical abuse were more likely than youths who left home for other reasons to report symptomatology consistent with the diagnostic criteria of Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The literature suggests that stress reactions, such as PTSD, are not direct responses to stressors, such as familial abuse. Rather, these relationships are mediated by factors which influence a person's ability to cope with stressors. This paper reports the results of exploring two factors which influence coping ability: (1) perceptions of control over the stressor, and (2) the availability of intrafamilial social support. Using information from the same sample of 149 adolescent runaways, we compared youth who left home because of familial physical abuse to youth who did not on the basis of these two coping resources. Results show that victims of familial physical abuse are significantly more likely than are other runaways to believe that they could not have changed or controlled the events that led to their running. Further, the intrafamilial social support systems of these young victims are highly dysfunctional. Study findings support the contention that factors which decreased the coping ability of runaway victims of familial abuse heightened the probability of their developing Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Multidimensional assessment of combat‐related PTSD: Phenomenological, psychometric, and psychophysiological considerations
Authors: Lyons Judith A. , Gerardi Robert J. , Wolfe Jessica , Keane Terence M.
Published: June 2007

The literature on assessment of PTSD in combat veterans is discussed as it relates to several major diagnostic issues. Studies bearing on the validity of the PTSD diagnosis are presented. Additionally, a multidimensional assessment of PTSD is described in detail. The major assessment instruments currently used are discussed and the research supporting the selection of each of the assessment tools is presented.
Psychological well‐being among Holocaust survivors and immigrants in Israel
Authors: Harel Zev , Kahana Boaz , Kahana Eva
Published: June 2007

This research assessed predictors of psychological well‐being among 180 survivors of the Holocaust and among a comparison group of 160 immigrants of similar sociocultural background living in Israel. Four variables: better health, higher instrumental coping, lower emotional coping, and lesser social concern, were found to be significant predictors of psychological well‐being in both groups. Among survivors, these four variables, as well as being married, fewer life crises, communication with co‐workers, and not being resigned to fate, accounted for 52% of explained variance in psychological well‐being. Among immigrants who served as a comparison group, these four variables, along with a relaxed personality style and good communication with one's spouse, accounted for 36% or explained variance in psychological well‐being. Theses factors underscore the importance of current social and psychological adaptation for psychological well‐being among survivors and among older persons of similar backgrounds who did not endure the extreme trauma of the Holocaust.
Psychological first aid and treatment approach to children exposed to community violence: Research implications
Authors: Pynoos Robert S. , Nader Kathi
Published: June 2007

This paper discusses research findings and their implications regarding children's responses to community violence. It outlines (1) theory and findings, (2) early intervention and psychological first aid, and (3) treatment approaches following a violent event. In each section we discuss post‐traumatic stress, grief, worry about a significant other, and experience with previous trauma. Detailed steps for psychological first aid are outlined according to age and grade level. Intervention strategies are proposed for each category of response with designed interventions for the classroom, the family, the individual, and the group.
Treating psychic trauma in children: A preliminary discussion
Authors: Terr Lenore C.
Published: June 2007

Treatment techniques for psychic trauma in children are as yet at a very preliminary stage. No generally accepted research study has established one certain technique as standard. Possibilities for treatment of childhood post‐traumatic stress disorders cluster into family, group, and individual treatments. Among the individual treatment modalities available, play therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive and behavioral therapies, and medication hold the most promise. A combination of several of these treatments would, in most cases, be the best program available today.
Family survivors of homicide victims: Theoretical perspectives and an exploratory study
Authors: Amick‐McMullan Angelynne , Kilpatrick Dean G. , Veronen Lois J. , Smith Susan
Published: June 2007

Little empirical information is available on the impact of homicide on surviving family members. Existing descriptions fall into a dichotomy of grief theory and those reporting symptoms of Post‐traumatic Stress Disorder. This pilot study offers a multidimensional formulation which combines symptoms reported across previous studies. Participants were 19 survivors recruited through a victim witness program and a victim rights organization. A learning model, Mowrer's Two Factor Theory, was applied to explain the acquisition and maintenance of post‐traumatic symptoms. Consistent with this model, survivors reported recurrent homicide‐related intrusions and avoidance behaviors on the Horowitz Impact of Event Scale (IES). Comparison of survivors' IES scores with those of victims of rape, loss of a family member, and other trauma revealed a high frequency of symptoms. Mean length of time since homicide was 2.5 years. The Derogatis Symptom Check List 90‐Revised (SCL9O‐R) revealed a high level of general psychiatric distress, with 66% of survivors meeting “caseness” criteria, indicating a need for treatment intervention. A 7‐point Likert scale measure of satisfaction with the criminal justice system was highly correlated with SCL9O‐R subscales of depression (r = − 0.82) and anxiety (r = − 0.82). This link between distress and perceptions of the justice system provided preliminary support for an equity theory perspective on survivor attributions. Conceptual, research, and clinical implications were discussed.
Psychosocial impact of disasters: Victims of the Baldwin Hills fire
Authors: Maida Carl A. , Gordon Norma S. , Steinberg Alan , Gordon Gail
Published: June 2007

A major fire occurred in the Baldwin Hills community of Los Angeles that resulted in the destruction of 50 homes. The life of this Black middle class community was seriously disrupted by this fire. Twenty‐five victims of the fire were interviewed using a modified version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule/Disaster Supplement and the Impact of Event Scale. Subjects reported on their emotional, psychosomatic, and physical health problems resulting from the fire. Additional information obtained by the interviewers included victims' opinions of media coverage of the event, attribution of blame for its occurrence and perception of community disruption. This study supports previous findings that exposure to the event is significantly related to the number of post‐traumatic stress symptoms as reported on the DIS/DS, and that depression symptoms, which were widespread, were correlated with the extent of loss.
A terrorist hijacking: Victims' experiences initially and 9 years later
Authors: Kleinman Stuart B.
Published: June 2007

Three victims of a terrorist attack were interviewed in order to determine the coping mechanisms they utilized during the attack, the psychopathology present after the attack and the ways they dealt with their psychopathology. Fantasy, the belief in one's ability to positively influence his environment, altruistic actions, and dissociation reportedly helped those interviewed to cope during the incident. Depressive and post‐traumatic stress phenomena comprised the major psychopathology present in those interviewed. Altruistic actions, symbolic repetition and mastery of the traumatic situation, self‐esteem enhancing activities, avoidance of reminders of the incident and involvement in certain types of relationships reportedly helped these victims to deal with the sequelae of the attack.
Implosive therapy for the treatment of combat‐related PTSD
Authors: Lyons Judith A. , Keane Terence M.
Published: June 2007

Implosive therapy for the treatment of post‐traumatic stress disorder is based on the principle of exposing the patient to trauma‐related cues until there is a reduction in the anxiety associated with the cues. It is a relatively specialized procedure regarding which few clinicians receive extensive supervised training, despite the numerous case studies that demonstrate its effectiveness. The present paper addresses a number of procedural issues and offers guidelines for conducting implosive therapy with traumatized combat veterans. Elements of controversy regarding the application of implosive therapy are discussed.
Being held hostage in the Netherlands: A study of long‐term aftereffects
Authors: van der Ploeg Henk M. , Chr. Kleijn Wim
Published: June 2007

In the 1970s, The Netherlands were confronted with eight large‐scale hijackings, in which a total of nearly 500 persons were held hostage. In 1985, the long‐term aftereffects (up to 9 years) of these hostage takings were studied. Approximately one‐third of the ex‐hostages studied were found to suffer from negative effects resulting from the hostage‐taking and mentioned symptoms related to DSM‐III categories “post‐traumatic stress disorder” and “generalized anxiety disorder,” and a variety of medical symptoms. Twelve percent of the ex‐hostages were found to be still in need of aftercare and help, even though nearly all of them had had several contacts with professional health care workers in the period following the hijacking. A number of variables are described which are related to lower degrees of well‐being and more negative aftereffects in ex‐hostages, thereby suggesting the predictability of greatervulnerability in some hostages.
Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories
Authors: Shapiro Francine
Published: June 2007

The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the recently developed Eye Movement Desensitization (EMD) procedure on traumatic memory symptomatology. Twenty‐two subjects suffering from symptoms related to traumatic memories were used in the study. All had been victims of traumatic incidents concerning the Vietnam War, childhood sexual molestation, sexual or physical assault, or emotional abuse. Memories of the traumatic incident were pivotal to the presenting complaints which included intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, sleep disturbances, low self‐esteem, and relationship problems. Dependent variables were (1) anxiety level, (2) validity of a positive self‐statement/assessment of the traumatic incident, and (3) presenting complaints. These measures were obtained at the initial session and at 1‐ and 3‐month follow‐up sessions. The results of the study indicated that a single session of the EMD procedure successfully desensitized the subjects' traumatic memories and dramatically altered their cognitive assessments of the situation, effects that were maintained through the 3‐month follow‐up check. This therapeutic benefit was accompanied by behavioral shifts which included the alleviation of the subjects' primary presenting complaints.
Inpatient psychiatric combat veterans' attitudes toward contemporary issues: A changing generation?
Authors: Pendorf James E.
Published: June 2007

Eighty military combat veterans (M age = 39.9 years) hospitalized for symptoms of traumatic stress completed a 29‐item questionnaire addressing such societal topics as political power, police authority, drugs, societal laws, religion, and sexual attitudes. Responses are compared to a sample of their adolescent age cohorts (N = 93) and their parents' age cohorts (N = 91) who answered the same questionnaire 20 years ago. Compared to the adolescent cohort sample, combat veterans' attitudes toward societal issues were significantly different on 87% of these issues. Now their parents' age, these veterans' attitudes are significantly different from 70% of the items as those of their parents' cohort 20 years ago. These results demonstrate how combat Vietnam veterans' attitudes toward some salient societal issues have shifted dramatically from those of their peers a generation ago, yet are also considerably different from the attitudes held by their parents' cohorts at that same time.
Prevention of post‐traumatic stress disorders
Authors: Brom D. , Kleber R. J.
Published: June 2007

This article deals with issues which are helpful in designing preventive outreach programs for victims of traumatic stress. The first part outlines a theoretical approach to the process of coping with serious life events. The second part analyzes the various aspect of mental assistance after such events. Aims of psychological intervention and different components of intervention programs are discussed. Finally the authors describe a specific program of psychological assistance that has been developed for employees of organizations (especially banking corporations), who have become victim of violence, such as in bank robberies and hijackings. The article is partly based on the practice of preventive counselling programs which are being developed in The Netherlands.
The collapse of a structure: A structural approach to trauma
Authors: Benyakar Mordechai , Kutz Ilan , Dasberg Haim , Stern Max J.
Published: June 2007

Applying an analytic approach to the concept of trauma, the authors differentiate trauma from other stress disorders and define trauma as the collapse of the structure of self along all its referential planes, resulting from the encounter of a catastrophic threat and a chaotic response, producing the unique traumatic experience. The post‐traumatic state is conceptualized as a reorganizing transitional state, aimed at restoring autonomy, which can proceed by encapsulation only. The post‐traumatic stress disorder is regarded as the manifest clinical syndrome of the post‐traumatic state. By providing a systematic conceptual framework, the analytic structural approach to trauma allows clearer guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of traumatized patients.
Eighteen‐month follow‐up of neuropsychiatric effects of pentaborane intoxication
Authors: Silverman Joel J. , Hart Robert P. , Stockman Susan J. , Hamer Robert M. , Garrettson Lorne K.
Published: June 2007

Fourteen individuals briefly exposed to the neurotoxic compound Pentaborane were reevaluated 18 months following initial neurpsychiatric study. Psychiatric interview utilizing standardized diagnostic criteria, neuropsychological and psychological assessment, and CT scan ventricular brain ratios were reevaluated. Assessment revealed interaction of bilogical and psychological factors worsening. Post‐traumatic stress disorder, major affective disorder, alcohol abuse, and phobias were the most common diagnoses at follow‐up.
Cross‐cultural care for PTSD: Research, training, and service needs for the future
Authors: Westermeyer Joseph
Published: June 2007

Treating the consequences of violence in refugees, immigrants, and other minority groups is complicated by several factors. One of these factors involves the treatment of such problems, which are often related to both past violence as well as to current adverse conditions or precipitants. Another factor relates to cross‐cultural assessment and treatment, which requires special education, experience, and supervision. Thirdly, there is usually the matter of concurrent acculturation, which may be undermined by biopsychosocial maladjustment due to past violence and which may in turn precipitate psychiatric syndromes that are related to previous violence. The future implications of these factors for research, training, and service needs are reviewed in this paper.
Comment on Dr. Westermeyer's paper
Authors: Athey Jean Garrison
Published: June 2007

This commentary on Dr. Westermeyer's paper emphasizes and further explicates several issues which are raised in the original paper. Problems of diagnosis and treatment of PTSD among refugee groups are discussed, as is the need for cross‐cultural training of mental health specialists. The lack of attention to the needs of child refugees in services, training, and research is pointed out.
Marital disruption and physical illness: The impact of divorce and spouse death on illness
Authors: Sherwood Williams J. , Siegel Judith P.
Published: June 2007

Most research focusing on life stresses and illness have focused on the history of stress on persons who present physicians with disease symptoms and have used ex‐post‐facto samples. These studies have tended to focus on specialized samples and, thus, screen out the potential effects of psychosocial factors. This study examines the relationship between two critical life stressors, divorce and spouse death, and physical illness in the general population. Data for this study were gathered from a national probability sample of noninstitutionalized adults in the continental United States. The influence of age, sex, education, and income on the relationship between the two life stressors and illness are examined. Statistically significant results were found between both life stressors and illness. Conditional analysis also yielded evidence that both divorce and spouse death were responded to differently depending on the respondent age, sex, income, and educational attainment. Among the findings, the significant increase of illness among younger persons who had experienced a divorce or the death of a spouse is considered most noteworthy.
Holocaust survivors: Coping with post‐traumatic memories in childhood and 40 years later
Authors: Mazor A. , Gampel Y. , Enright R. D. , Orenstein R.
Published: June 2007

This essay deals with coping processes of childhood trauma of survivors who were children during World War II over the lifecycle in a nonclinical group. The main issues refer to: (1) responses to war memories immediately after the war and 40 years later; (2) dealing with memories and feelings at present; (3) victims' feelings and attitudes toward the persecutor; (4) attitudes of survivors' children to the war experience of their parents; and (5) coping styles immediately and 40 years after the war, including the survivors' responses at present. Using a semistructural interview and a qualitative content analysis of interviews, it is suggested that for most persons the reactivation of memories and the need to document their experiences enhances, in a limited scope, the recognition of their loss and brings some relief; it also discloses new ways for these adults to comprehend their traumatic past.
The process of coping with sexual trauma
Authors: Roth Susan , Newman Elana
Published: June 2007

In coping with sexual trauma, a survivor must come to understand the emotional impact of the trauma so that she is no longer preoccupied or driven by negative feelings, and must grapple with the meaning of the trauma until an adaptive resolution is achieved. In this paper, we present a conceptual system that we believe characterizes the coping process of recovery from sexual trauma. We present clinical examples of the use of the system from a psychotherapy group for female incest survivors, and the system's preliminary reliability results in measuring the coping process.
Predisposing variables in PTSD patients
Authors: Emery V. Olga , Emery Paul E. , Shama Delek K. , Quiana Nancy A. , Jassani Amir K.
Published: June 2007

The conceptualization of predisposition to Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorders(PTSD) is summarized by three models: (1) predisposition due to preexisting psychopathology, (2) predisposition due to preexisting traits or characteristics considered normal, and (3) predisposition due to preexisting experience of specified stressors in family of origin. The investigation reported can be subsumed under the third model. The study involved the exploration of major stressors found in families of origin of 40 veterans, 20 who later developed PTSD and 20 who did not develop PTSD, with key demographic and military service variables balanced across groups. Additionally, the study focused on childhood perceptions of major stressors in family of origin. Findings suggest PTSD veterans had greater childhood stress related to parental alcoholism and unemployment than did non‐PTSD counterparts. Further, the data suggest two major sets of childhood perceptions separate the two groups of veterans: (1) parental alcoholism/unemployment in the perception of PTSD participants, and (2) parental strictness/delegation of responsibility in the perception of non‐PTSD participants. Methodological refinements are discussed that are needed to better hone in on the connection between family system stressors during primary socialization, subsequent phenomenology, and risk for PTSD.
Acute stressors and chronic stress at Three Mile Island
Authors: Davison Laura M. , Weiss Linda , O'Keeffe Mary , Baum Andrew
Published: June 2007

The relationship between acute and chronic stress was examined by studying the effects of an acute stressor on ongoing stress response. A group of people living near Three Mile Island were compared with a group of control subjects living 80 miles away on measures of stress 2 months before and 1 month after restart of the undamaged nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island. Consistent with earlier findings, people living near Three Mile Island, as a group, exhibited more evidence of stress before the restart than did controls, including greater symptom reporting, poorer task performances, and higher blood pressure and urinary catecholamine levels. The restart did not heighten stress responding in the Three Mile Island group; after the restart, symptom reporting decreased slightly but blood pressure, catecholamine levels, and task performance were comparable to prerestart levels. The implications of these findings are discussed.