Describes a systematic evaluation of symptom patterns among 86 depressed patients from three American Indian tribal cultures. Concludes that patients from all tribal groups exhibit a core depressive syndrome existing in three distinct, culturally influenced constellations. Contains 21 references and five data tables. (SV)

Examines whether an abuser of alcohol can eventually learn to safely manage his or her own intake. Bridging the gap between two perspectives may empower therapists to explore the use of both abstinence and controlled use as a possible means to increase overall success of alcohol treatment. (JBJ)

Notes widespread use of human figure drawings to describe and predict psychological functioning. Reviews data-based studies on figure drawings and concludes that there is little support for their validity or for their use as devices to assess personality, behavior, emotion, or intellectual functioning. Presents ease of administration and anecdotal…

Responds to previous article (Motta, Little, and Tobin, this issue) which reviewed data-based studies on figure drawings and found little support for their validity or use in assessing personality, behavior, emotion, or intellectual functioning. Notes recent approaches to interpretation of human figure drawings and cites flaws in argument against…

Responds to article (Motta, Little, and Tobin, this issue) which reviewed data-based studies on figure drawings and found little support for their validity or use in assessing personality, behavior, emotion, or intellectual functioning. Agrees with original article, suggesting that arguments be couched in terms of three basic concepts: illusory…

Responds positively to previous article (Motta, Little, and Tobin, this issue) which reviewed data-based studies on figure drawings and found little support for their validity or use. Focuses on human figure drawing as personality assessment tool, reviewing its empirical research, identifying only ways that it can be used, and suggesting most…

Responds to reviewers of authors' previous article (Motta, Little, and Tobin, this issue) which reviewed data-based studies on figure drawings and found little support for their validity or use in assessing personality, behavior, emotion, or intellectual functioning. Defends position of original article and addresses issues raised by reviewers.…

Examined reliability and validity of binge eating disorder (BED), proposed for inclusion in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), fourth edition. Interrater reliability of BED diagnosis compared favorably with that of most diagnoses in DSM revised third edition. Study comparing obese individuals with and without BED and…

A meta-analytic approach was used to determine whether diagnostic overshadowing judgmental bias reliably occurs when clinicians evaluate clients with mental retardation and mental disorders. The diagnostic overshadowing effect was reliable over the 349 studies reviewed, and the size of the effect was small to moderate. (Author/SW)

Reviews development of standardized case simulations and treatment planning criteria by two nationwide panels of interdisciplinary mental health experts. Notes that simulations show promise as performance-based assessments of clinical judgment across profession, theoretical orientation, and other therapist variables. Discusses application of…

Interviewed 50 hospitalized suicide attempters and 57 professional caregivers they identified as having been consulted prior to attempts. Approximately one-half of patients directly disclosed suicidal symptoms or intentions, especially to mental health professionals. Few caregivers noted suicidal thinking or probed suicidal symptoms. Data suggest…

Compared 30 adolescents with psychiatric diagnosis and 28 adolescents without psychiatric diagnosis on parent-completed Revised Behavior Problem Checklist and self-completed Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale, Children's Depression Inventory, and Revised Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R). Two groups of adolescents were significantly…

The reliability of diagnoses of mental retardation severity was examined by comparing psychiatric and psychological case records of 126 dually diagnosed (mental retardation and psychiatric disorder) clients. Overall chance-corrected agreement was 0.47. Results suggested that the reliability of diagnostic decisions may be best evaluated by analysis…

Current approaches for evaluating children for possible sexual abuse are critically analyzed for conceptual integrity and empirical support. Suggestions for future development include the use of indicators of abuse that allow for professional judgment, consideration of the influence of questioning style, and use of peer review. (JDD)

A group of 120 older adults participated in group testing and 64 in individual testing of mental and physical health. Testing conditions made a difference for personality, perceived health, mental health, and recall of life events. Selection or setting bias was thought to have affected outcomes. (SK)