Sensitivity theory divides the causes of challenging behavior into three categories, aberrant contingencies, aberrant environments, and aberrant motivation. This paper replies to criticism that sensitivity theory is circular and unsupported by empirical evidence by reporting on studies that support the theory and rejecting the idea that…

Interviews with 61 adolescents in juvenile detention centers revealed a very high rate of emotional disorders, especially suicide thoughts and attempts. However, recent health care changes result in adolescents' longer stays in detention centers rather than in the residential treatment that they need. (SK)

Hypothesizes that suicidal adolescents display a more negative attitude toward their bodies than nonsuicidal normal adolescents. Correlations showed that the higher the suicidal tendency, the stronger the negative feelings toward the body. The findings were explained as reflecting suicidal tendencies developing from early trauma and…

Reviews four domains of research in adolescent suicide: (1) the role of psychopathology; (2) family history of psychopathology; (3) mental health treatments; and (4) firearms in homes. Recommendations include: better training for professionals, better delivery of mental health treatments, policy changes of better mental health screening and…

This study tested the efficacy of a school-based prevention program for reducing suicide potential among high-risk youth. A sample of 105 youth at suicide risk participated in a 3-group, repeated-measures, intervention study. All groups showed decreases in suicide risk behaviors, depression, hopelessness, stress, and anger. Increased personal…

Describes a study in which 203 undergraduates completed questionnaires on attributional style, negative life events, hopelessness, and suicidal symptoms at 1 point in time and again 10 weeks later. As predicted, the combination of a negative attributional style for interpersonal events and the occurrence of such events were prospectively related…

Evaluated the effectiveness of a time-limited, outpatient intervention targeting suicidal young adults. In addition to intake assessments, participants completed follow-ups at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Both treatment and control participants evidenced significant improvement across all outcome measures throughout the follow-up period.…

Suggests that modern civilization isolates teens from real life and creates constraints that can result in psychosocial disorders. Explains that conflict in adolescence is caused by a mismatch between genetically programmed desires and culturally programmed opportunities. Outlines remedial actions that are necessary to make teenagers' lives…

Two issues of each volume of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis were reviewed to identify research reports focusing on individuals with autism. The identified articles were analyzed to describe the ages of individuals with autism, the settings in which the research occurred, the nature of the behaviors targeted for intervention, and the…

Background: If a clinician has to make decisions on diagnosis and treatment, he or she is confronted with a variety of causal theories. In order to compare these theories a neutral terminology and notational system is needed. The Causal Modelling framework involving three levels of description--biological, cognitive and behavioural--has previously…

Mounting evidence concerning obsessive-compulsive disorders points to abnormal functioning of the orbitofrontal cortices. First, patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) perform poorly on tasks that rely on response suppression/motor inhibition functions mediated by the orbitofrontal cortex relative to both normal and clinical controls.…

Slowness in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been attributed to intrusive thoughts or meticulousness. Recent research suggests that slowness in OCD may be particularly evident on tests of executive function subserved by frontostriatal circuitry. In the present study, the speed and accuracy of responding on neuropsychological tests of…

Learning, emotional and behavior disorders of school-aged children and youth are major issues in school related research. In this paper we approach three specific topics that in our view are central for the understanding of the problem and the effectiveness of intervention in this area: (1) the issue of comorbidity of emotional, behavioral, and…

The incidence of medical and behavioral symptoms that could occur as side effects of psychotropic medication was assessed in a sample of 30 adults with developmental disabilities. Using a retrospective chart review method, we measured symptoms in six a priori classes of potential side effects over a 2-year period. The majority of side effects…

This review examines interventions intended to improve the literacy functioning of adolescent students with emotional and/or behavior disorders. Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria and included a variety of interventions designed to affect a variety of literacy areas, including spelling, writing, and reading fluency. Findings from these…