Tested accuracy of motivational theory of depression for adjustment disorder with depressed mood in 48 patients with terminal and nonterminal cancer. Results supported motivational theory: cancer patients exhibited low expectations and low values; hence, they were unmotivated and depressed. (NRB)

Judges rating role-played responses to standardized interpersonal situations rated depressed and nondepressed psychiatric inpatients as having significant problems in social skills compared to normals, with no differences between patient groups. Subjects' self-ratings suggested that depressives and other psychiatirc groups may differ in…

A triple-contract model of the relationship between a profession and a society includes a hypothetical contract articulating the profession's basic principles, a second contract suggesting the model for real-life face-to-face meetings creating moral terms limiting the relationship between professionals and society, and a third contract containing…

Replicated a recent report of the factorial structure of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, using rehabilitation patients. Analyses failed to validate the previously reported three-dimensional structure, which indicates a need for careful interpretation of this scale when used with certain populations. An alternative factor…

Studied the amount of supervision, and the congruence of theoretical orientation between the supervisor and trainee in relation to patient change (N=237). Amount of supervision was not related to therapy outcome, but patients showed significantly greater improvement when their trainee-therapists reported theoretical orientations congruent with…

Assessed the effectiveness of an Arthritis Self Management course for people aged 55-95 (N=200). Results indicated significant gains in knowledge and pain reduction. Trends toward less disability were observed for participants under age 74. (JAC)

Reported on a work placement program that incorporated intensive job-seeking skills training, components of Job Club programs, and other behavioral procedures designed to encourage independent job finding by psychiatric patients (N=97). Of clients who participated in the program, 66 percent entered some meaningful vocational activity. (BH)

Assessed the usefulness of a microtraining package for developing empathic communication skills of peer counselors (N=16) in a therapeutic community of forensic psychiatric patients. Patients were assigned to the skills (empathy training) group, or the attention group, where they viewed counseling films. The skills group gained greater counseling…

Surveyed discharge planners at 49 acute care hospitals to ascertain problems they perceived in placing elderly patients. Selected hospital characteristics and placement practices and the ways in which they are associated with hospital back-up (sometimes called administratively necessary days) and delays in placement were analyzed. (Author/JAC)

Studied community adustment of younger and older clinically depressed patients (N=4,589) after treatment and compared adjustment differences in self and other ratings between the age groups. Older depressives adjusted less well than expected. (JAC)

Performed a principal axes factor anlaysis on Mini-Mult item data obtained from 249 medical and psychiatric patients. Six factors were extracted. Nonoverlapping summative scales were constructed and their reliabilities evaluated. The scales were recommended for applications in which it is desirable to avoid excessive item overlap. (JAC)

Aims to explore the possible association between certain personality characteristics and suicidal inclination. Compares psychiatric patients with and without a suicidal history according to a number of selected of MMPI scales. (Author/RK)

Why would mental health clients sign release-of-information forms unless they thought a refusal to do so would jeopardize their access to service? The author believes that the practice of not advising clients of their rights to privacy has ethical implications that can compromise the value of the treatment. (Author)

The usefulness of a Client Characteristics Checklist that has been used in many programs sponsored by the Wilder Foundation over 10 years was studied. The checklist is used to document a variety of potential risk factors and descriptive characteristics of individuals and families served by Foundation programs. Client characteristics across the…

Author intended to appraise the current functioning and adjustment of former patients, who were dependent upon drugs, and to specifically find what, if any, consequences of the heavy drug use can be seen in retrospect. (Author/RK)