Objective: Although behavioral weight-loss interventions produce short-term weight loss, long-term maintenance remains elusive. This randomized trial examined whether learning a novel set of "stability skills" before losing weight improved long-term weight management. Stability skills were designed to optimize individuals' current…

Objective: Depression is associated with poor social problem solving, and psychotherapies that focus on problem-solving skills are efficacious in treating depression. We examined the associations between treatment, social problem solving, and depression in a randomized clinical trial testing the efficacy of psychotherapy augmentation for…

Objective: Major depression is the most common psychiatric disorder among breast cancer patients and is associated with substantial impairment. Although some research has explored the utility of psychotherapy with breast cancer patients, only 2 small trials have investigated the potential benefits of behavior therapy among patients with…

In this report, we conducted a secondary analysis of the Treatment of SSRI-Resistant Depression in Adolescents (TORDIA) study to explore the impact of specific cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment components on outcome. In TORDIA, 334 youths (ages 12 to 18 years) with major depressive disorder who had failed to respond to an adequate…

Although the subject has been debated and examined for more than 3 decades, it is still not clear whether all psychotherapies are equally efficacious. The authors conducted 7 meta-analyses (with a total of 53 studies) in which 7 major types of psychological treatment for mild to moderate adult depression (cognitive-behavior therapy, nondirective…

Thirty-two Snake-fearing Ss viewed a videotape of four therapists who described and illustrated their techniques for treating fear of snakes. After describing their liking or disliking of each of the therapies, 16 Ss were assigned a preferred therapy, and the other 16 were given a nonpreferred therapy. The findings argue for the practice of having…

Reports results of a two-part study designed to extend training in cognitive interpersonal problem solving to an adult alcoholic population. Treatment subjects made greater improvement on problem-solving thinking than controls. Responses in discharge interviews demonstrated that treatment subjects were more likely to anticipate and plan ahead for…

Compared the relative effectiveness of behavioral marital therapy (BMT) with two of its major components, behavior exchange (BE) and communication/problem-solving training (CPT), in married couples seeking therapy (N=36). Results showed that complete BMT was no more effective than either BE or CPT at posttest. (LLL)

Tested efficacy of social problem-solving therapy for unipolar depression and examined relative contribution of training in problem-orientation component of the overall model. Dismantling research design, involving 39 depressed subjects, revealed problem-solving to be an effective cognitive-behavioral treatment approach for depression. (Author/TE)

Evaluated the effects of cognitive-behavioral problem-solving skills training (PSST) and nondirective relationship therapy (RT) for the treatment of antisocial child behavior. Revealed that a significantly higher proportion of PSST children, compared with those in other conditions, fell within the normative range for prosocial behavior at…

Suggests secondary parasuicide prevention is the most viable path for future research. Aggressive case findings and primary prevention approaches have failed to reduce suicide attempt rates. A secondary prevention model, based on factors predictive of parasuicide, was developed. Stress reduction and cognitive restructuring were primary goals of…

Compared two behavioral treatments for marital discord with a nonspecific control and waiting-list control. Behavioral treatments combined problem-solving skills with contingency management procedures, differing only in contracting form, good faith contracts, and quid pro quo contracts. Both behavioral groups improved significantly more than…

Examined impact, on couples planning marriage, of a cognitive-behavioral marital distress prevention program emphasizing communication and problem-solving skills, clarifying and sharing expectations, and sensual/sexual enhancement. Compared to controls, participants showed higher levels of relationship quality at the 18-month and three-year…

Mothers of children with cancer experience significant distress associated with their children's diagnosis and treatment. The efficacy of problem-solving skills training (PSST), a cognitive-behavioral intervention based on problem-solving therapy, was assessed among 430 English- and Spanish-speaking mothers of recently diagnosed patients.…

Unhappily married couples (n=10) were divided into an experimental and control group. The treatment program consisted of training couples to interact more positively and efficiently when engaged in problem solving and teaching couples to make written contingency contracts. The group receiving treatment improved significantly more than did the…