Research supported by Public Health Service Research Grant M-5353 from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Investigated an ongoing therapy group over a six-month period to see if cohesiveness developed differently during various stages. Subjects were psychiatric outpatients (N=5). Questionnaire results showed cohesiveness continued to increase before reaching a plateau and decreasing, but the loss was not significant. (JAC)

Used previously collected free-associative interviews to investigate ways in which the Experiencing and Free Association Scales might overlap. Positive and significant correlations were found. Similarities and differences of the two scales and the implications of the results are discussed. (JAC)

Compared the effectiveness of behavioral (BT) or physical therapy (PT) for treating chronic low back pain (CLBP), for 13 BT patients and 12 PT patients. Treatments were conducted in a group outpatient setting. Posttreatment results showed general improvement for patients in both groups, but few treatment-specific differences in outcome measures.…

Presents a set of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory norms for a mixed psychiatric group of adolescents (N=1022). Normative information is stratified according to five age categories and includes means and standard deviations for the validity, clinical, and 48 content scales. Discusses the usefulness of these norms for clinicians.…

Examined the relationship between brain-behavior and hypnotic susceptibility in 70 alcoholic patients, using the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale and its Fromm-Weingarten modification. Results showed the two scales were interchangeable insofar as they measured the same ability, and indicated that hypnotic susceptibility is related to…

Three health education interventions for urban poor hypertensive patients were introduced in a randomized factorial design. Two-year data on compliance with therapy and five-year mortality data indicate the success of such educational programs in the long-term management and control of high blood pressure. (Author/GC)

Measured the internal consistency reliability of the Holmes Am Scale in discriminating alcoholics (N=39) from college students (N=77). Results showed the Holmes Am Scale displayed low internal consistency reliability but did not discriminate significantly between the two groups. The Am Scale was related moderately to alcohol use among students…

Points out the positive dimensions of protests by hospitalized children and adolescents with chronic health problems and indicates how group discussion can increase reciprocal understanding of the needs and concerns of patients and doctors. (Author/RH)

Examined the prevalence and nature of grief in response to patient suffering, loss, or death among healthcare workers. Skilled nursing facility personnel remembered experiencing bereavement in response to crises of their geriatric patients. Mourning occurred among virtually all general hospital personnel who usually serve younger patients. (Author)

Inspected reports on 59 patients who completed the Modified Word Learning Test (MWLT), Memory for Designs Test, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale to assess the validity of the MWLT. MWLT scores were correlated with age, verbal scale and full scale IQs and verbal performance discrepancies. (Author)

Reports outcome measures obtained from patients, therapists, and clinical observers in the Penn Psychotherapy Project. The relationship between residual gain score and ratings of benefits suggest that posttreatment ratings of outcome take account of the fact that amount of change to be expected depends on initial level of functioning. (Author)

Depressed clients were assigned to an immediate (IT) or delayed (DT) treatment group. Results did not support the effectiveness of IT. However, after receiving treatment, DT clients successfully increased activities and decreased depression relative to IT. Effects were maintained through the follow-up. Factors accounting for these results are…

Analyzed attitudes of 614 Protestant and Catholic Cleveland clergy toward terminal illness and euthanasia. Clergy responses revealed that, although eager to prolong life, terminally ill patients feared prolonged illness more than death. The controversial nature of euthanasia became more apparent with clergy who had more training in death…

Studied (N=120) terminally ill cancer patients over several months on quality of life variables, functional status and survival. Counseled patients changed significantly more than controls by three months. Overall, response to counseling was similar in young and old patients, with both improving. (Author/JAC)