ABSTRACTS

Convergent and Discriminant Validity of Perceived Criticism From Spouses and Family Members

Lawrence P. Riso, Daniel N. Klein, Rochelle L. Anderson, Paige Crosby Ouimette, and Humberto Lizardi, State University of New York at Stony Brook

As a more efficient alternative to measuring expressed emotion (EE) in families, Hooley and Teasdale (1989) measured perceived criticism (PC) from spouses by asking patients: "How critical is your spouse of you?" using a 10-point Likert scale. The PC item was highly predictive of relapse of depressive episodes, even more so than EE derived from the lengthy Camberwell Family Interview (CFI; Vaugn & Leff, 1976b). However, this item has undergone little validation. Hence, PC could be associated with other factors (third variables) that could account for its relationship with relapse of depressive episodes. The present study examined the convergent and discriminant validity of PC from both spouses and family members by correlating it with measures of depression, personality, and social functioning. Subjects included outpatients meeting DSM-III-R criteria for major depression or dysthymia. PC did not correlate with measures of depression or maladaptive personality traits and was moderately correlated with measures of social functioning. Hence, PC demonstrated excellent discriminant validity and moderate convergent validity.



In Vivo Cognitive Assessment in Bulimia Nervosa and Restrained Eating

Deanne Zotter Bonifazi, West Chester University, and Janis H. Crowther, Kent State University

The Bulimic Cognition Inventory (BCI) was introduced as an in vivo endorsement method for measuring cognitions characteristic of bulimia nervosa. Cognitions assessed with the BCI included negative and distorted self-statements dealing with food, body image, and low self-efficacy. The BCI was used to assess the cognitions of 15 women with bulimia, 15 women who engage in restrained eating, and 15 non-eating-disordered women in the naturalistic environment when eating, in the naturalistic environment independent of eating, and in the laboratory setting. The external validity of cognitions gathered in a laboratory was also assessed. Results indicated, in all conditions, the bulimic group reported more of the targeted cognitions and rated these cognitions as more intense than the non-eating disordered group. Interesting similarities as well as differences emerged between the bulimic and restrained eater groups. Current findings support the discriminant validity of the BCI for distinguishing women with bulimia nervosa from those who do not have an eating disorder, raise interesting questions regarding restraint theory, and support the use of laboratory procedures to assess the cognitions of women with bulimia nervosa.



The Effectiveness of Behavioral Parent Training to Modify Antisocial Behavior in Children: A Meta-Analysis

Wendy J. Serdetich, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and Jean E. Dumas, Purdue University

From 117 studies on the outcome of behavioral parent training (BPT) to modify child antisocial behavior, 26 controlled studies met criteria for inclusion in a meta-analysis. Results support the short-term effectiveness of BPT to modify child antisocial behavior at home and school, and to improve parental personal adjustment. However, research still needs to examine if positive changes as a function of BPT are maintained over time, are comparable to changes resulting from other interventions for child antisocial behavior, and are related to important methodological and contextual variables. Findings and directions for future research are discussed in light of the limitations of the current literature on antisocial child behavior.



Cultural Diversity: A Wake-Up Call for Parent Training

Rex Forehand, and Beth A. Kotchick, University of Georgia

The United States is becoming increasingly culturally diverse. As a consequence, behavior therapists who utilize parent training as a therapeutic intervention for child behavior problems will likely encounter clients from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Unfortunately, the influence of cultural values on parenting behavior has been ignored in behavior therapy research. We examine the cultural context of parenting for four ethnic groups, consider the influence of cultural factors on parent training, and propose new research questions to be addressed by behavior therapists in the near future.



Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Minimal Therapist Contact Treatments of Chronic Headaches: A Review

Anderson B. Rowan, Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, and Frank Andrasik, University of West Florida

Minimal contact (MC) largely self-administered treatments are being increasingly studied for management of recurrent headache disorders. To date, systematic review of these treatment approaches is lacking. This paper examines and critically analyzes MC studies for adult and child tension-type and migraine headaches. With rare exceptions, benefits from MC treatments have been found to rival those of the more time- and effort-intensive standard, in-clinic treatment approaches. Implications of these finding and recommendations for clinical practice and research are discussed.



Behavioral Treatment of Parkinson's Disease Leads to Improvement of Motor Skills and to Tremor Reduction

Bettina Mohr, Viktor Muller, Regina Mattes, University of Tubingen, Regina Rosin, Newrologische Universitatsklinick, Tubingen, Germany, Barbara Federmann, Ute Strehl, Friedemann Pulvermuller, University of Tubingen, Friedemann Muller, Neurologische Universitatsklinik, Tubingen, Germany, Werner Lutzenberger, and Niels Birbaumer, University of Tubingen

The effects of psychological treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD) were investigated. Behavioral treatment focusing on control of motor activity was compared to a nonspecific psychological treatment. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups with 20 patients in the behavioral group and 21 patients in the control group. The 2 groups were equivalent for age, demographic variables, and duration and severity of the illness. Twenty treatment sessions were held over a period of 10 weeks. Behavioral change was assessed by the Motor Performance Test Series (MPS), the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and by a psychologist's ratings and the patients' self-reports. Unspecific treatment effects were controlled by using several questionnaire measures. Results indicated that only behavioral treatment was effective in reducing tremor and in improving manual dexterity. We conclude that behavioral treatment is an effective supplement to traditional medical treatment with L-Dopa for improving motor performance and reducing tremor in Parkinson's disease.



Cognitive Restructuring in the Treatment of Psychotic Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Critical Analysis

Stephane Bouchard, Universite du Quebec a Hull, Centre de Recherche Universite Labal Robert-Giffard, Centre Hospitalier Pierre-Janet, Annie Vallieres, Universite Laval, Marc-Andre Roy, and Michel Maziade, Centre de Recherche Universite Laval Robert-Giffard

This article reviews the 15 empirical studies that have used cognitive restructuring in the treatment of schizophrenia, more specifically for psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations). Three elements are considered before investigating its effectiveness: (a) if subjects are reliably diagnosed with schizophrenia with chronic course and severe impairment; (b) if psychotic symptoms are adequately measured; and (c) if designs are methodologically sound. Our investigation revealed that schizophrenia is not reliably diagnosed and severity is low to moderate. Assessment of psychotic symptoms is satisfactory, but assessment of generalization to other areas is limited. Only five studies possess reliable design and are performed with schizophrenia subjects. These studies suggest that cognitive restructuring is effective to reduce or eliminate hallucinations or delusions in schizophrenia patients.



Measurement of Perceived Control Over Anxiety-Related Events

Ronald M. Rapee, Macquarie University, Australia, Michelle G. Craske, University of California, Los Angeles, Timothy A. Brown, State University of New York at Albany, and David H. Barlow, State University of New York at Albany

Measures of perceived control over different, specific spheres of an individual's life may form more homogeneous constructs than measures of a broad, general locus of control. Along these lines, it is likely that anxiety and the anxiety disorders may be characterized by a lack of perceived control over particular events and occurrences such as certain internal emotional reactions or externally threatening events. The present study was aimed at developing a questionnaire to measure this construct. Initial item selection was based on data from 250 anxious subjects. Reliability and factor-structure were replicated with a nonclinical group. The scale showed good inter-item and test-retest reliability as well as good discriminant and convergent validity. The scale appears promising for clinical application and for use in studies on the nature and treatment of anxiety and related disorders.