Using the Recognition Memory Test, Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, and the Knox Cube Test as markers for malingered memory deficits was studied with 100 university students, federal inmates, and patients with head injuries. Malingerers performed more poorly than injured patients on all three tests. (SLD)

To assess the sensitivity of Warrington's Recognition Memory Test "words" and "faces" subtests to lateralized temporal lobe seizure foci and effects of epilepsy surgery, 27 left- and 39 right-temporal lobectomy patients were tested before and after surgery. Conditions under which misclassification is most likely are discussed.…

Follows clinical course of older adult with dementing illness. Through patient's art therapy work, attempts to corroborate patient's behavior and performance with clinical and medical tests. This information is then related to present-day knowledge of brain dysfunction and impairment and to autopsy findings. Discusses role of art therapy for this…

The clinical utility of the cluster solution of core profiles of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised by McDermott and others (1989) was studied with 161 brain-damaged patients. Core profile methodology was not sensitive to brain damage and lacked neurodiagnostic utility. (SLD)

Assesses the effectiveness of communication strategies designed to improve both initial and long-term medical adherence. Finds that male physicians were effective if they used either positive or negative regard strategies, whereas female physicians were limited to using positive regard strategies. Finds also that occasional use of non-rewarding…

Describes how art therapy can benefit patients hospitalized due to severe burns, who suffer psychological as well as physical trauma. Outlines the psychological phases, identifies how burn patients typically experience their healing process, and discusses how art therapy can assist the patient at each stage of the recovery process. (JPS)

A variety of programs have produced changes in knowledge, behavior, and health for arthritis patients. National dissemination of patient education programs is in progress. Research needs center on new populations, delivery methods, and arthritis-specific applications of theory. (SK)

Examined effectiveness of outpatient group therapy for discharged elderly psychiatric inpatients. Found that therapy was enhanced by participation of caregivers or significant others, in-depth exploration of medical issues and medication, and the creation of a socially active facilitating environment with extensions into the community. (Author/NB)

Interviewed 88 family caregivers concerning experience with medical care of demented relatives. Most caregivers expressed overall satisfaction with services. Greatest dissatisfaction was expressed in regard to receiving insufficient information about dementia; fewest concerns were expressed about inappropriate physician control. Families reported…

Relatives of patients with dementia completed questionnaires about caregiver stress and patients' functional and psychiatric problems during initial evaluation, at 4-17-month follow-up, and retrospectively. Retrospective accounts correlated well with initial reports but psychiatric symptoms were underreported in retrospective accounts. Spouses…

Analyzed 145 Chinese American outpatient clients to determine how long they would stay in psychotherapy when ethnic- and language-matched therapists were provided. Results indicated that median duration of psychotherapy was 8 sessions, mean duration was 12 sessions, and drop-out rate was 12.38%. Results were comparable to those from general…

A three-phase study was conducted to develop and validate the Penn Inventory for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a 26-item self-report measure. Results with 83 and 98 combat veterans and with 76 general population patients and disaster survivors support usefulness of the measure. (SLD)

Interviewed 13 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. All believed that they alone should make decision regarding use of mechanical ventilation. Factors they considered important were quality of life, severity of disability, availability of ventilation by means of nasal mask, possible admission to long-term care facility, ability to discontinue…

Compared to normal controls who had never attempted suicide, suicide attempters (n=45) between 16 and 30 years of age admitted to a general hospital psychiatric ward were significantly more hopeless, depressed, and hostile. The suicide attempts seemed to occur in response to stress. A crisis intervention model was suggested as most appropriate way…

Examined three-way relationships among patient characteristics, type of care (admission to nursing home or community setting), and 6-month outcomes of 352 long-term care patients. Found that patient characteristics influenced type of care received and that substantial portions of variance in outcomes were attributable to initial differences among…