Search

Purpose: Cognitive training improves mental abilities in older adults, but the benefit to minority elders is unclear. We conducted a subgroup analysis of subjects in the SeniorWISE (Wisdom Is Simply Exploration) trial to examine this issue. Design and Methods: SeniorWISE was a Phase 3 randomized trial that enrolled 265 nondemented community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older between 2001 and 2006. Participants were randomly assigned to 12 hr of either memory or health training. Results: The sample was 79% female, 71% Caucasian, 17% Hispanic, and 12% African American. On the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT), 28% of the sample scored normal, 47% scored poor, and 25% impaired. Memory performance changed differently over time depending on the demographic characteristics of participants. Both Hispanics and Blacks performed better than Whites on visual memory, and Blacks performed better over time on instrumental activities of daily living. On all performance measures, lower pretest scores were associated with relatively greater improvements over time. Implications: Our analyses suggested that minority participants received differential benefits from the memory training; however, this remains speculative because the 3 ethnic groups in the sample were not equivalent in size. The question of why Black and Hispanic participants often made greater improvements needs further exploration.

Purpose: The original version of the Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS), a measure of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), was found to have a ceiling effect in older adults living independently in the community. This suggested that the tasks measured, although relevant, do not require full use of this population's abilities, and thus, the instrument may not be sensitive to the early decrements in IADLs that can signal initial cognitive impairment and may not detect improvements in IADLs over time, which is especially important in intervention research. Design and Methods: By removing items with little to no variation and adding more difficult subscales that emphasized medication management skills, we designed the DAFS-Extended (Direct Assessment of Functional Status-Revised [DAFS-R]) to be more challenging for elders living independently. Results: Analysis with a sample of 45 older adults suggested that scores on the DAFS-R appear to be more normally distributed than on the original version. The DAFS was able to differentiate individuals with varying standard profile scores on the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test memory performance instrument (normal, poor, and impaired). In addition, the reliability and validity of the DAFS-R were supported in this sample. Implications: Given the large number of older adults who regularly take multiple prescription medications, deficits in medication management skills can have serious consequences. A performance measure that emphasizes these higher level daily living skills can help providers screen for initial signs of functional decline.

While many researchers have studied the etiology of autism, possible racial/ethnic differences in prevalence of the autism diagnosis have received much less attention. Using the Texas Education Agency Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) data set for 2006, we examined the prevalence of an educational diagnosis of autism among Black, White, and Hispanic students. The percentage of all Texas children served under the autism label in 2006 was 0.43% (n = 19, 813). White and Black children were more likely than Hispanic children to receive an autism educational diagnosis (0.62%, 0.44%, and 0.27% respectively). The percentage of students diagnosed with autism varied by geographic area and income level, as well. Possible reasons for the disparity in prevalence of autism diagnoses are discussed.

The purpose of this study is to compare Mexican American adolescent mothers with and without childhood sexual abuse (CSA) histories to examine the influence of CSA on dissociation, selection of infant feeding method, and intimate parenting anxiety. Participants are 78 English-speaking adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age and recruited from the southwestern United States. Nearly one third of the sample ( n = 24, 30.77%) reports CSA histories. There is no correlation between CSA history and intimate parenting anxiety, no difference between breast-feeding and formula-feeding mothers in CSA severity, and intimate parenting anxiety does not predict dissociation. These findings are inconsistent with previous research. Supportive resources may explain the inconsistency and play a role in adolescent mothers' responses to CSA. Further research is necessary to explore these possibilities. (Contains 1 table.)

This paper describes strategies developed to recruit and retain an ethnically diverse sample in a longitudinal intervention of 246 participants in the SeniorWISE study. The ethnic and socioeconomic differences of these participants necessitated the use of different methods of effectively communicating with this population. Recruitment benefited from the use of focus groups, media attention, and personal appearances in the community. Educational strategies included modification of language and examples. Testing sessions were called interviews, and team members were available to answer questions and to read the instruments to participants, when desired. Participants were sent birthday cards and a monthly newsletter. The study is 90% completed.

A multicultural awareness scale completed by 72 nursing students obtained a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of .91. An expert panel analyzed content validity and the revised scale was completed by 118 students. Factor analysis supported the measure's construct validity. (Contains 30 references.) (SK)

Describes the development of Inclusion Inventory, a tool designed to survey educators' perceptions of inclusive educational practices in their schools. The survey was administered to 72 schools across a southwestern state. Respondents with experience in inclusive educational practices and those from schools where teams implemented inclusive education tended to have higher ratings on the Inclusion Inventory. (Author/JDM)

A study of 27 employees of an agency that provides services to persons with developmental disabilities investigated using the six-item Guttman scale, based on the Levels of Use framework, for monitoring the adoption and implementation of person-centered planning and other supports-oriented programs. High scores indicated likelihood of person-centered training. (Author/CR)

The paper details advantages of microcomputer-based assessment with moderately and severely handicapped individuals over conventional print instruments. Noted advantages include improved accuracy, less time-consuming, greater flexibility, and the potential for information database development and regional systematic programing. One such instrument, the "Functional Skills Screening Inventory," is examined. (Author/DB)

The Monitoring and Tracking Clients and Helpers (MATCH) system assesses the skills and needs of deaf-blind individuals completing educational programs and compares them with training opportunities of service agencies. The information is used to determine the most appropriate adult placement and to determine needed areas unmet by existing programs. (Author/JDD)

University of Texas at Austin assessed the career interest patterns of 3,921 incoming students during the 1977 summer orientation program. Results indicated that careers in the business area were most frequently listed as tentative career choices. Parents were cited most frequently as the major influence on students' career decisions. (Author)

Described the development of the Assertive Job Hunting Survey which assessed self-reported job-hunting attitudes. The survey met standards for internal consistency and stability. Students demonstrated significant increases in Assertive Job Hunting Survey scores from beginning to end of classes, which applied assertiveness to job-hunting behaviors. Sex and previous job-hunting experience affected scores. (Author/BEF)