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The Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) in Section III of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) conceptualizes personality pathology as a combination of impairment (Criterion A) and traits (Criterion B). One measure used to develop Criterion A was the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale - Global Rating Method (SCORS-G), which is a multidimensional, object-relational clinician-rated measure of personality functioning. Although there are conceptual links between the AMPD and SCORS-G dimensions, there exists no research examining the relationship. To address this, we examined associations between the SCORS-G dimensions and measures of the AMPD constructs in a large, archival dataset of outpatients and inpatients. More pathological scores on SCORS-G dimensions reflecting self- and interpersonal functioning were associated with greater pathological traits and impairment. Overall, results support further investigation into SCORS-G as a useful measure in AMPD research and assessment.

The current study sought to develop and validate a new measure of chronic suicide risk (the S_Chron) from the Personality Assessment Inventory in a mixed sample of psychiatric inpatients and outpatients. In an initial development sample (N=397), hierarchical logistic regression identified six PAI variables uniquely associated with multiple versus single/no prior suicide attempts after controlling for sample demographics: Negative Impression Management, Situational Stress, Mania - Grandiosity, Borderline - Negative Relationships, Borderline - Self-Harm, and Antisocial Behaviors. These indicators were then aggregated into a single index (S_Chron) and evaluated in terms of validity in an independent clinical sample (N=398). Results indicated the S_Chron effectively differentiated between groups with multiple versus single/no prior suicide attempts, even after controlling for the effects of the PAI Suicidal Ideation (SUI) and Suicide Potential (SPI) indices, with moderate to large effect sizes observed (range of Cohen's d's=0.30-0.91). Further, the S_Chron incremented all other PAI indices and SUI in predicting multiple suicide attempts. The potential clinical application and ways in which the S_Chron may augment other existing measures of suicide risk are discussed.

A systematic review of the literature was conducted to investigate what is currently known about support for social participation for adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). A computerized database search followed by hand searching was conducted to locate empirical studies published after 1995 in peer-reviewed journals that described social participation or social support for adults with ASD. 14 studies were identified, evaluated for strength of evidence, and organized into topical themes. These studies focused on support for social participation from two perspectives: social functioning and quality of life (QoL). Supporting social functioning and social participation is important, as this is one route through which individuals with ASD may be able to form relationships and establish natural support networks, which can in turn contribute to QoL. In addition, working to improve social skills is of key importance as social functioning heavily impacts outcomes in a variety of areas. Social participation, social functioning, and QoL for adults with ASD appear to be facilitated through informal social support from social networks, participation in social skills groups, and membership in support groups.

For at-risk (single parent, low income, low support) mothers, healthy adaptation and the ability to manage stress have clear implications for parenting and the social-emotional well-being of their young offspring. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine associations between defense mechanisms in pregnant women and their toddlers' attachment security, social-emotional, and behavioral adjustment.Participants were 84 pregnant women during their last trimester of pregnancy, recruited from community agencies primarily serving low-income families. Women were followed prospectively from pregnancy through 2 years after birth and completed several multimethod assessments during that period. Observations of mother-child interactions were also coded after the postnatal visits.Multiple regression analyses revealed that mothers' defense mechanisms were significantly associated with several toddler outcomes. Mature, healthy defenses were significantly associated with greater toddler attachment security and social-emotional competence and fewer behavior problems, and less mature defenses (disavowal in particular) were associated with lower levels of attachment security and social-emotional competence. Associations remained significant, or were only slightly attenuated, after controlling for demographic variables and partner abuse during pregnancy.The study findings suggest that defensive functioning in parents preparing for and parenting toddlers influences the parent-child attachment relationship and social-emotional adjustment in the earliest years of life. Possible mechanisms for these associations may include parental attunement and mentalization, as well as specific caregiving behavior toward the child. Defensive functioning during times of increased stress (such as the prenatal to postnatal period) may be especially important for understanding parental influences on the child.