Focuses attention on social disability'' as a unitary disorder; provides a rationale for an environmental view of it; suggests a theoretical framework within which etiological hypotheses can be tested; and relates the concept to conventional psychiatric classification. (Author/JM)

Investigated the relationship between the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 4-3 high-point pair and the Overcontrolled-Hostility (O-H) scale in prisoners, psychology clinic outpatients, and inpatients at a state hospital. Results suggested the O-H scale and the 4-3 high-point pair are correlated and seem to measure the same types of…

Women in four age groups did not differ significantly in overall level of self-esteem, but could be discriminated on the more specific aspects of self-concept. The 40- to 55-year-olds reported more positive feelings about themselves in their family relations and morality. Women over 60 showed more defensiveness. (Author)

Disturbed children ready for discharge from psychiatric hospital treatment were returned to the community with the assistance of a child welfare agency which selected appropriate foster homes. Foster parents were provided with intensive support, including ongoing psychiatric treatment for the child if needed. Differences in the various approaches…

Describes the use of symbolic gifts as a subtle confrontational treatment technique that counterbalances harsher encounter methods usually employed in drug-free therapeutic communities. Recommends use of this technique as an ancillary treatment device in milieu therapy settings. (Author)

Presents variables related to child abuse appearing in the research, and points out gaps of knowledge in this area. Social stresses exacerbate underlying personality difficulties and induce psychological problems by placing the individual under stress. Families facing stresses also are frequently involved in child abuse because they contain more…

Analyzed 360 university students to see if parentification can predict certain personality characteristics. Results indicated that for both genders, parentification was a significant predictor of masochistic and narcissistic personality, but not of compulsive characteristics. Results support theory that parentification can manifest in two…

Investigated counseling psychologists' (n=165) vocational diagnostic and treatment decisions when vocational and personal problems were presented concurrently. Results indicated counseling psychologists who reported greater preference for working with personal problems, in comparison to vocational problems, were less likely to assess, diagnose,…

Adults (N=153) with mild mental retardation attending a transitional vocational program were evaluated based upon the multiaxial criteria of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual." Fifty-three percent were diagnosed as meeting Axis I criteria, and 17.6 percent met criteria for an Axis II diagnosis, involving…

Applies codependency group model to families of obsessive-compulsive people based on view that these families are normal, feeling people who are trying to cope with unremitting stress. Clinical vignettes illustrate how these families are similar to families of alcoholics in their management of emotions and in their dysfunctional behaviors. (JBJ)

Learning to interact positively with personality-challenged individuals will result in a more productive work and home life. A behavioral-styles model, and the effect of conflict on the personality types in the model, are displayed in figures and text. Case studies demonstrate successful interaction strategies. (MLF)

Describes two functions of behavior problems (escape and attention seeking), functional assessment procedures, and treatment implications of these procedures. Seeks to stimulate interest in the potential relevance and advantages of adopting the functional conceptualization of behavior problems to assess and treat behavior problems of typically…

Examines ways to apply control theory to the clinical practice of psychology. Offers general methods to assess psychological problems and to facilitate healthful change. Profiles what constitutes mental health from a control systems perspective, emphasizing the control of variables to achieve desired ends. (CH)

Twelve autistic children (ages 4-6) were given a choice between their mothers' speech and the noise of superimposed voices. In contrast to comparison groups of mentally retarded and normally developing children, the autistic children actively preferred the superimposed voices or showed a lack of preference for either audio segment. (Author/JDD)