In this study, the authors used a randomized controlled trial to explore the link between having positive peer relations and externalizing outcomes in 758 children followed from kindergarten to the end of 2nd grade. Children were randomly assigned to the Good Behavior Game (GBG), a universal classroom-based preventive intervention, or a control…

The present study demonstrates the effectiveness of exemplary modeling as a role training technique, and results indicate that characteristics of the model are important factors for consideration in psychotherapy analogue research utilizing demonstration. (Author)

Explored prevention of learned helplessness through the use of thermal biofeedback training and varied explanations of performance. It was found that only in the biofeedback group receiving accurate feedback was there any prevention of the subsequent development of learned helplessness behavior. (Author)

Two studies were undertaken to determine systematically how preventive behaviors associated with health, accidents, property loss, and financial loss are interrelated. Several dimensions of preventive behavior were found (e.g., checkups, risk taking, dietary patterns), and most of these dimensions were independent. Implications of these findings…

Results from the study indicate that the awareness-of-rationalizations procedure is more effective in convincing discontented smokers of the personal relevance of the health hazards of smoking than the control procedure, which presents the same specific information to refute typical rationalizations. (Author/PC)

The present findings fit commonsense expectations that self-control, responsibility, and cognitive caution should go along with subjectively locating past and future close to the present. Performance on a simple time line may reflect some of the intimate relationships between temporal experience and personality. (Author)

The data demonstrate the existence of a unified, negative cognitive content that is associated with depressed mood among normal subjects. Since cognition emerged as a more stable characteristic than affect, one might conjecture that the cognitive component is activated in--and perhaps triggers--the development of depressed mood. (Author)

Clinicians and researchers are beginning to acknowledge the importance of integrating a developmental perspective into the understanding of clinical disorders. Major gaps still exist between basic research on attachment processes and clinical issues regarding mental disorders. Reflecting growth in this direction, National Institute of Mental…

Alcoholism etiology is discussed from developmental behavior genetic perspective. Temperament features that appear to be associated with heightened risk for alcoholism are examined. Their interactions with the environment during course of development are considered within epigenetic framework and, as discussed, have ramifications for improving…

A strong majority of clinically distressed individuals are insecure with respect to attachment, and special vulnerabilities are appearing in disorganized-disoriented children. Relations to behavior genetics, family interaction patterns, psychophysiology, and treatment outcome studies are emerging or are anticipated. Discusses these and other…

This study determined the effects of using structured learning techniques to train lower socioeconomic emotionally disturbed children and adolescents (N=40) in verbal behaviors. Posttraining results indicated significant effects for the experimental treatment on subject acquisition of interview initiation and interview responsibility. (Author)

Evaluates a family-based treatment for childhood anxiety. Children (N=79) with separation anxiety, overanxious disorder or social phobia were randomly allocated to three treatment conditions: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), CBT and family management, or a waiting list. Indicated 69.8% of the children no longer fulfilled diagnostic criteria for…

Examined differences in self-reported psychiatric symptomatology on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 according to the Adult Attachment Interview in first-time mothers from a high-risk poverty sample. Different symptom patterns were consistent with adult attachment status as an index of self-representation and as a set of…

Examines the relationship between attachment strategies and symptom reporting among college women (N=61). The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) was administered and interview transcripts were rated with the Attachment Interview Q-Sort. Findings support the hypothesis that secondary or defensive attachment strategies predispose individuals toward…

In relationships among attachment classification, psychopathology, and personality, traits were examined in a group of 60 psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents. Attachment was examined in 27 adolescent-mother pairs. Both adolescent and maternal attachment status were overwhelmingly insecure and were highly concordant. Results support a model of…