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This article first provides an overview of a sequential approach to conducting research. This model and similar sequential approaches have sometimes been referred to as the phases of research model. Next, the article offers a summary of what has been learned from this research and offers some thoughts on what is needed in future prevention research efforts, particularly in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse prevention. The research agendas of three federal agencies are provided, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP)., Preventing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse is critical to the health and economic well-being of our nation's citizens. It is one of the most important areas of social science [...]

Examined the perceptions of 237 women who worked in three sex-specific occupational categories and the effects of their participation in these occupations on several psychological and physical health variables. Found that women in female-dominated occupations showed more psychological and physical distress than did those in other occupations. (Author/ABB)

Indicates that assertive training is effective in reducing counselor discomfort and anxiety. Such training has no significant effect upon client or supervisor ratings of counselor effectiveness. (Author)

This article presents a short, easy-to-use guideline for clinicians working with people with serious mental illness, particularly those with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorders, other psychotic disorders, or depression with significant impact on functioning, and may be of use for those working with individuals with bipolar disorder. This guideline is not meant to supplant the more detailed, excellent clinical practice guidelines that have been developed and published. Rather, the charts and explanation presented here are designed as a step-by-step tool that clinicians can use to ensure they are following the most appropriate course of action and providing the best psychosocial rehabilitation services possible for persons with these disorders. Program managers can use this tool to evaluate the processes used in their system to ensure that appropriate services are offered for the individuals in their care. This guideline is also not meant as a substitute for comprehensive training in the practice of assessment and treatment for individuals with serious mental illness. Very little detail is provided about the disorders, appropriate assessments, and interventions because clinicians providing services to people with these disorders should have received the specialized training necessary to appropriately deliver the services needed by these individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on evidence-based practice (EBP) and psychosocial rehabilitation interventions. The most popular and researched (EBP) is assertive community treatment (ACT). Possibly the second most researched EBP is supported employment (SE). Topics include family psychoeducation, alternative interventions and program models, and the importance of peer support.

Prospective studies document that preventive interventions can reduce the prevalence of substance abuse and antisocial behavior. In contrast, the justification for community-based demonstrations in substance abuse prevention and mental health promotion assumes that communities have decided to invest in prevention and now wish to learn from the experience of others on how the value of this investment can be maximized. The expectation has been that demonstration grants can be applied to improve substance abuse prevention efforts operated under State and community auspices. A review of selected knowledge gains from community-basedduration of interventions, and factors affecting implementation. Of these, the most rigorously-confirmed findings are: (1) that the transmission of generic life skills is associated with short-term reductions in substance abuse among adolescents; (2) that activities that improve self-esteem do not consistently affect adolescent substance abuse; and (3) that preventive interventions conducted among pregnant women motivated to participate produce net financial savings in hospital costs. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to optimize psychosocial and cognitive development and family function of chronically ill patients who are acutely stable in a pediatric intensive care unit, the philosophy of care was changed Psychosocial development was enhanced by practices that develop trust in caregivers including change in visiting policies and consistency in caregivers Cognitive development was enhanced by increasing interaction with the environment outside of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit bed Family function was maintained by communication and family participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the evaluation policy of the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Grant programs; Treatment enrichment program; In-treatment outcomes; Job corps students.

This article reviews the progress made by the field in its short history and attempts to look at developments which seem likely to occur as the field matures. Recommendations are made for training of health psychologists in the future and a plea is made for international standardisation of health psychology training programmes at the Ph.D. level which incorporate research and clinical training. Health psychologists are further encouraged to take a more active public and political role in order to provide needed visibility for their work. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

With the progression of health psychology as a new field in psychology specific training programs are more and more needed. A survey of the training situation of health psychology in Northern America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand highlighted a lack of formalized training programs in most countries except the United States and Canada, as well as an enormous variety between countries on standards of training, and on the differentiation of health psychologists from clinical psychologists. For the qualification of health psychology as an independent psychological discipline a plea is made for international standardization of quality control and suggestions for the content of formalized training programs in health psychology are given. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Traditionally, in the field of alcoholism research, abstinence has been considered the sole measure of treatment success and patients found to be drinking at follow-up were automatically considered to be treatment failures. In recent years this dichotomous approach has been criticized in light of studies on post-treatment status that reveal patients to be drinking and fuctioning at an improved level. Although there has been a convergence of evidence indicating that some treated alcoholics progress toward an improved but not abstinent status, such improvement in drinking status had apparently not previously been investigated in a general population. Such was the purpose of the present study with 529 subjects. Of the persons who reported previous alcoholic drinking level from 49% to 63% reported current subcriterion drinking. It was inferred that these finding combine with the findings from treated alcoholic and other special populations to form a move pervasive perspective of movement from alcoholic to subalcoholic drinking levels. Although the authors see some overlap with the topic of moderate drinking oriented treatment programs, they view specific recommendations as premature. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article provides information on the success of high-risk youth prevention programs in the U.S. Substance abuse continues to be a major concern in the country. Recent statistics from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reveal that progress in combating substance use among youth ages 12 to 17 during the 1980s has stalled or reversed during the 1990s. Negative attitudes toward drug use have declined among adolescents and actual drug use of tobacco and marijuana has increased. Adolescents are inclined to discount the harm that drugs can do. Since 1987, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention has funded more than 400 High-Risk Youth demonstration projects targeting youth at risk for substance abuse.

As professions evolve, they become increasingly specialized. Psychology is one such profession that recognizes the need for unique knowledge and abilities for clinical practice with particular populations. There is a demonstrated need for such advanced skill in the assessment and treatment of serious mental illness (SMI) and the provision of evidence-based interventions that comprise psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) for SMI. Postdoctoral residency is an opportunity to receive specific training in the provision of PSR services for those with SMI. However, there are few opportunities for such education and training, and there is little research on the impact of such training. This article summarizes the outcomes of a PSR/SMI psychology residency at a large, Northeastern Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Program data of residents' self-ratings at the beginning and end of the training year suggest that the postdoctoral training program contributes to increased self-confidence both as an entry-level psychologist (7 out of 7 domains increased, p < .05), and also as a PSR practitioner (6 out of 7 domains increased, p < .05). A majority of residents from the program went on to SMI/PSR-related jobs immediately postresidency. Results demonstrate that postdoctoral psychology training can provide trainees with the confidence to work as a psychologist and PSR practitioner working with individuals with SMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) face unique and significant challenges that require evidence-based practices and clinicians who have advanced, comprehensive training to provide them. SMI affects about 5.5% of the U.S. population and results in serious health, social, and economic burdens. Despite advancements in treatment over the past 50 years, training programs for psychologists and other mental health providers have failed to keep up with these advances, underutilizing evidence-based assessments and interventions developed specifically for this population and found to be efficacious. To address this, the SMI Psychology Specialty has developed Training Guidelines to establish consistent, high-quality, and evidence-based training for postdoctoral psychologists. This article highlights selected features of the Training Guidelines for SMI Psychology. Although these were developed for postdoctoral training programs in SMI Psychology, they are applicable to training programs at all levels, and we hope that training programs in psychology and other mental health disciplines will incorporate these advances into their curricula. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).