bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Childhood Anxiety in Ethnic Families: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Barrett Paula M. , Turner Cynthia M. , Sonderegger Robi 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAustralia is a culturally diverse country with many migrant families in need of support and assistance from clinical psychologists. Yet, surveys indicate that migrants do not feel comfortable in accessing community mental health services, due to the lack of cultural sensitivity and understanding of our current practices. Despite this finding, there remains a paucity of research on migrant families, their different values and needs, and how they adjust to the Australian culture. The present article reviews research on migrant children, their characteristics, and the factors that help or hinder healthy adjustment to a new culture. This review focuses particularly on anxiety, which is not only the most common form of childhood psychopathology, but also frequently coincides with stressful life events such as migration. Our review concludes with recommendations for the development of assessment and intervention protocols, and areas of future research.
The FRIENDS Program for Young Former-Yugoslavian Refugees in Australia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Barrett Paula M. , Moore Alan F. , Sonderegger Robi 
Published: July 2008

AbstractYoung immigrants frequently experience anxiety as a consequence of the stress associated with migration. Despite being at high risk for the development of psychopathology, culturally sensitive assessment and intervention procedures for use with ethnic minority groups residing in Australia have yet to be developed and validated. The aims of the current study were to (a) investigate the level of anxiety in a sample of former-Yugoslavian teenage refugees; (b) appraise the efficacy of the FRIENDS program, a validated Anglo-Australian anxiety-prevention program, for use with this high-risk group; and (c) obtain information from both the program participants and facilitators regarding how the intervention could be modified to better meet the needs of this growing refugee population in Australia. Twenty female former-Yugoslavian youths completed standardised measures of internalising symptoms. Participants were allocated to either an intervention (n = 9) or a waiting list (n = 11) condition. In spite of the small sample size, post-assessment indicated that participants in the intervention condition reported significantly less internalising symptoms than participants in the waiting list condition. Social validity data indicated that, overall, participants were highly satisfied with the intervention. Suggestions for assessment and treatment program modifications are discussed.
A Validation Study of the Adolescent Risk-taking Questionnaire
Authors: Gullone Eleonora , Paul Jacqueline , Moore Susan M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe Adolescent Risk-taking Questionnaire (ARQ) was developed to comprehensively assess adolescent risk-taking beliefs and behaviours. Research has shown that it is a reliable instrument with strong construct validity. The current study investigated the convergent and discriminant validity of the ARQ by comparing responses of a sample of 52 male adolescents from a juvenile justice centre and 211 school-attending male adolescents. Consistent with past research, the juvenile justice centre youth reported significantly higher levels of depression and less optimal levels of parent attachment compared to school-attending youth. Convergent validity of the ARQ was demonstrated through significant relationships between attachment and risk-taking. Specifically, those adolescents with less optimal parent attachment were more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviour and were less likely to perceive the behaviours included in the ARQ as risky compared to those with more optimal levels of parent attachment. Discriminant validity of the ARQ was demonstrated through significant differences between the two groups on risk beliefs and behaviours. Responses on the ARQ indicated that youth from the juvenile justice centre were significantly more likely to engage in risky behaviours, if given the opportunity, than school-based youth. They also perceived the behaviours to be less risky. It was concluded that the ARQ has good convergent and discriminant validity.
Prediction of Delinquency: The Role of Depression, Risk-taking, and Parental Attachment
Authors: Leas Loranie , Mellor David 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis study investigated the relative contributions of risk-taking behaviour (RTB), parental attachment, and depression to delinquency. Data were gathered from 108 university students and youth group members, aged between 17 and 23 years (M = 19 years). Each participant completed four self-report questionnaires: the Australian Self-report Delinquency Scale, the Adolescent Risk-taking Questionnaire, the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, and the Beck Depression Inventory. The three predictor variables were significantly related to each other, and risk-taking behaviour and depression uniquely predicted total delinquency. While parent attachment was not a significant predictor of delinquency, when the subscales of parent attachment were assessed individually, parental trust and communication inversely predicted delinquent behaviour. Although based on a nondeviant sample, the findings suggest that adolescents who display poor parent attachment, depression, or high risk-taking behaviour, singularly or in combination, are more prone to engage in delinquent behaviour. The results hold a number of potentially important implications for both further studies and the design and provision of intervention and preventative programs.
The Structure of Young People's Leisure and Their Gambling Behaviour
Authors: Moore Susan , Ohtsuka Keis 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn this study, the relationship between adolescent leisure and gambling was explored. Three different models of time usage were compared as potential predictors of gambling behaviour and problem gambling among 769 adolescents (15 to 18 years old) from five secondary schools in Melbourne. More leisure time, particularly unstructured leisure, predicted more frequent gambling behaviour for girls and boys. Specific activity factors provided the best time usage-based prediction of gambling behaviour. More time socialising and being involved in organised sport predicted more gambling for boys, possibly because of the access these activities provide to gambling venues. For boys, lower levels of so-called masculine pursuits (activities with other male peers) were associated with problem gambling, as were “cognitive pursuits” such as board games and collecting hobbies. For girls, more time in studious activity mitigated against gambling frequency. Lower levels of typically “feminine” adolescent pursuits predicted problem gambling. By far the major predictor of problem gambling for both sexes was gambling frequency. The role of leisure in problem gambling was discussed in terms of the role played by peer socialising, which may increase risk through access to gambling venues yet simultaneously increase protection through a sense of belongingness.
Review of Life Satisfaction Measures for Adolescents
Authors: Gilman Rich , Huebner E. Scott 
Published: July 2008

AbstractOver the past decade, promoting the psychological wellbeing of adolescents has been the subject of increasing interest. To this end, a number of scales have been constructed that specifically assess life satisfaction among adolescents. Using specific selection criteria, the present study reviewed the psychometric properties of five life satisfaction measures available for use with adolescent populations. These scales were the Students' Life Satisfaction Scale, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, the Perceived Life Satisfaction Scale, the Comprehensive Quality of Life Scale – School Version, and the Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale. Suggestions for future research are also discussed.
Quality of Life in Adolescence: The Role of Perceived Control, Parenting Style, and Social Support
Authors: Petito Fausta , Cummins Robert A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAdult levels of subjective quality of life (SQOL) are remarkably stable on a population basis. This has been explained through the operation of a homeostatic system that acts to maintain each individual's SQOL within a narrow range. However, there are good reasons to expect this homeostatic system to come under severe challenge during adolescence. Many of the variables thought to be involved in the homeostatic process are undergoing marked change during this period, including the balance between primary and secondary control, perceived social support, and interaction with parents. In order to test the stability of SQOL and the influence of these other variables, a sample of 279 adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17 years were recruited. It was found that the SQOL of the older adolescents lay below the predicted range for adults, thereby supporting the idea of a strong challenge to homeostasis during this period. A new scale to measure perceived control was found to possess a useful two-factor structure of primary and secondary control. Moreover, both of these factors, together with social support, predicted levels of SQOL, even though the levels of primary control decreased with age. Finally, adolescents who perceived an authoritarian parenting style experienced a higher SQOL than those who perceived an unengaged style. These findings contribute to our understanding of SQOL homeostasis.
Reciprocal Skills Training in the Treatment of Externalising Behaviour Disorders in Childhood: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Barrett Paula , Turner Cynthia , Rombouts Sacha , Duffy Amanda 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis study reported on the efficacy of Reciprocal Skills Training (RST), a family-based treatment modality for childhood externalising disorders. Children (N= 57) ranging from 7 to 12 years old who fulfilled diagnostic criteria for oppositional defiant disorder were randomly allocated to RST (in either a hospital or clinical setting) or a waiting-list control group. At posttreatment, no significant differences were observed across the two treatment settings. Results indicated that 95.5% of children in the hospital setting and 72.2% of children in the clinical setting no longer met criteria for oppositional defiant disorder, compared to 30% of children on the waiting list. Children in the treatment groups also obtained significantly lower scores on the Externalising scale of the Child Behaviour Checklist, compared to the waiting-list group. In addition, mothers' levels of stress and depression were significantly reduced at posttreatment, compared to mothers of children on the waiting list. These findings suggest that RST is an effective treatment modality for children displaying externalising behaviours, as well as for their mothers. The results are discussed in terms of limitations of the current study and future directions for research and clinical practice.
Functional Independence of Appropriate Giving and Appropriate Asking for Socially Isolated and Nondisabled Children
Authors: Brace Rachel , Guerin Bernard 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSharing is an important social behaviour for promoting reciprocal interaction and interactive play among peers, but previous studies have only trained giving and accepting behaviours. We trained appropriate asking in addition to giving, and tested for functional independence. Three socially isolated children were first trained either to ask appropriately for their turn with a toy, or else to offer the toy to a confederate child, and this was reversed after stability. There was an immediate increase in whichever behaviour was trained, but the other behaviour showed no increase until it was directly trained. This was replicated with two nondisabled children. Follow-up assessments on all five children showed some maintenance up to a month after training. These studies demonstrate that appropriate giving and asking are functionally independent, at least in this experimental setting; that this is not restricted to socially isolated children; and that asking does not emerge from training giving alone. It was argued that, while these results could be due to instructional control rather than the more natural consequences of sharing, such social rules or norms are typically taught as instructions from teachers and parents.
The Role of Formulation-based Treatment for Sexual Offenders
Authors: Ward Tony , Nathan Pamela , Drake Christopher R. , Lee Joseph K.P. , Pathé Michele 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe assessment of sexual offenders consists of the systematic collection of clinically relevant information in order to detect clinical problems and to provide clear treatment targets. A key but neglected issue in the area of sexual offending concerns the role of individual case formulations in the determination of offenders' treatment needs. In this paper, we investigate the relative strengths and weaknesses of manual-based treatment (MBT) and formulation-based treatment (FBT) for sex offenders. On the one hand, FBT has the advantages of greater flexibility and a more individualistic focus, and arguably is better equipped to deal with more complex clinical presentations. On the other hand, MBT has the advantages of standardisation and less reliance on clinicians' (flawed) judgement, and may be a more efficient use of scarce resources. We conclude that clinicians should initially provide manual-based treatment rather than that based on individualised case formulations. However, we also suggest that there are at least four situations where FBT represents a valuable strategy, namely when confronted with particularly complex or unusual cases, when standardised treatment has failed, or when there are significant threats to the therapeutic relationship. Finally, we briefly discuss some possibilities for research, and caution that our mixed model is only proposed as a temporary solution and that ultimately any model concerning treatment selection needs to be empirically based and conceptually defensible.
Overvalued Ideas and Obsessions: Some Clinical Considerations
Authors: Dunne Peter 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObsessional thoughts or “pure” obsessions and overvalued ideation represent two salient phenomena within obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that remain somewhat treatment-resistant. Treatment issues regarding these phenomena are discussed in the context of two clients attending a state health community psychiatry clinic. Both clients displayed significant improvement over the course of treatment on measures of OCD and depression. Pertinent issues are raised concerning the timing of specific treatment components, measurement processes, and the general direction of treatment research in this area.
Offender Risk and Needs Assessment: Some Current Issues and Suggestions
Authors: Byrne Mitchell K. , Byrne Stuart , Hillman Katherine , Stanley Emma 
Published: July 2008

AbstractCrime impacts upon the community at multiple levels, causing distress and loss for the victims, and feelings of insecurity for the public, as well as adding to the drain on financial resources for governments. This makes the accurate identification of risk of reoffending and the determination of efficacious rehabilitation strategies imperative. Key principles in cognitive and behavioural psychology can contribute to this task. This paper will review the issue of risk assessment and describe the applicability of functional analysis to forensic psychology. Two studies by the authors will be used to illustrate concepts raised in this review. The paper will conclude with a model that may help guide the realistic implementation of detailed individual functional analyses of offenders' behaviour.
A Universal Prevention Trial of Anxiety and Depressive Symptomatology in Childhood: Preliminary Data from an Australian Study
Authors: Lowry-Webster Hayley M. , Barrett Paula M. , Dadds Mark R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper describes the development and preliminary findings of a program designed to prevent the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms in children aged 10 to 13 years. Using a universal prevention approach, a total of 594 children were randomly assigned on a class-by-class basis to either a 10-session family group CBT program (FRIENDS) routinely implemented as part of the school curriculum, or to a comparison group. Pre-post intervention changes were examined universally, and for children who scored above the clinical cut-off for anxiety at pretest. Results revealed that children in the FRIENDS intervention group reported fewer anxiety symptoms, regardless of their risk status, than the comparison group at posttest. In terms of reported levels of depression, only the high anxiety group who completed the FRIENDS intervention evidenced improvements at posttest. Overall, these preliminary results appear to support the benefits of a school-based universal cognitive-behavioural intervention program. Implications of this study are discussed, and long-term follow-up measures are currently underway.
An Examination of the Power of the Voices in Predicting the Mental State of People Experiencing Psychosis
Authors: Lucas Sara , Wade Tracey 
Published: July 2008

AbstractCognitive-behavioural models of psychosis have been widely discussed in the literature, with a focus on the beliefs about the voices that are a component of auditory hallucinations. This study examines the ability of beliefs about the voices to predict the course of psychiatric symptomatology in psychosis over a 1-month period, compared with changes in depressive symptomatology. Thirty people with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder participated in this study. Their mental state functioning, depression, and beliefs about their voices were assessed in interview. Mental state functioning and depression were assessed again after 1 month, in addition to antipsychotic medication compliance over the previous month (rated by self and the psychiatrist). The strongest predictor of a worsening of psychiatric symptoms over the month was increased depression in the previous month. Using p < 0.1 criteria to offset possible Type II errors in the small sample, a person's belief that their voices were very powerful was also predictive of psychiatric deterioration. The ways in which beliefs about the power of the voices can be challenged in cognitive-behaviour therapy with psychosis is discussed, as are directions for future research.
Rethinking Psychological Mindedness: Metacognition, Self-reflection, and Insight
Authors: Grant Anthony M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPsychological mindedness (PM) has long been considered to be an important mediator of therapy outcome. However, to date, definitions of PM have been typified by linguistic imprecision and lack of conceptual clarity. Further, most definitions and measures of PM have approached the task from a psychodynamic perspective, thus limiting the use of this construct by clinicians and researchers from other theoretical perspectives. In this paper, previous definitions and self-report measures are reviewed and a new definition proposed. It is argued that PM is best conceptualised as a form of metacognition: a predisposition to engage in metacognitive acts of inquiry into how and why people behave, think, and feel in the way that they do. A new model, based on this definition, suggests that PM may be assessed by measuring individuals' metacognitive processes of self-reflection and insight, circumventing many of the problems associated with previous self-report measures of PM. Research into individual differences in propensity for PM, self-reflection, and insight may well provide the clinician with additional tools with which to facilitate purposeful, directed change in both clinical and nonclinical populations.
Organisational Correlates to Staff Attitudes about Behavioural Programs
Authors: Corrigan Patrick W. , Diwan Sarah Lickey , McCracken Stanley G. , Oliver Kelvin , Backs Annette , Rashid Fadwa , Campion John , Farmer Ruth Davies 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn an attempt to facilitate the dissemination and regular implementation of behaviour treatments in real-world settings, research has examined staff attitudes that may pose barriers to these treatments. The purpose of the study reported in this paper is to examine the construct validity of perceived organisational barriers to behavioural programs. One hundred and eighteen staff working in community-based treatment programs for adults and children with severe mental illness completed the Barriers to the Implementation of Behavior Therapy Test. An analysis from a previous study (Corrigan, Kwartarini, & Pramana, 1992) identified two reliable and valid factors that suggested perceived organisational barriers: institutional constraints and insufficient collegial support. Results of a confirmatory factor analysis on data from this study supported the earlier factor structure. Research participants also completed team functioning measures of individual staff burnout, collegial network satisfaction, organisational culture, and team leadership. Attitudes about institutional constraints and insufficient collegial support were found to be associated with burnout, collegial network satisfaction, and organisational culture. Strategies for disseminating behavioural programs must target organisational barriers too.
Cute and Cuddly and a Whole Lot More? A Call for Empirical Investigation into the Therapeutic Benefits of Human–Animal Interaction for Children
Authors: Fawcett Nicholas, R. , Gullone Eleonora 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThere are many indications that humans have a tendency to affiliate with nature, and with other living beings, including non-human species. Examples of such affiliation range from spending time in parks and nature reserves to humanising our companion animals to the point that we accord them family-member status and strongly grieve their passing. Research has also shown that humans can benefit significantly from their relationships with non-human animals. For example, studies have indicated that even the mere observation of animals can result in reduced physiological responding to stressors, and in increased positive mood. In the present review, we propose that findings such as these may provide important information regarding the potential benefits to be derived from incorporating non-human animals into intervention strategies, particularly for children. Of specific relevance for children is their fascination with, and attraction to, non-human animals. There is also the very nonjudgemental nature of human–animal interactions (i.e., unconditional positive regard) that has been argued, among other benefits, to serve as a useful “bridge” for the establishment of rapport between therapist and child. However, despite promising avenues of investigation, the area of animal-assisted intervention remains largely neglected by researchers. In this paper, we call for sound empirical investigation into proposals regarding the potential therapeutic benefits of incorporating non-human animals into intervention programs.