Parental reflective functioning represents the capacity of a parent to think about their own and their child’s mental states and how these mental states may influence behavior. Here we examined whether this capacity as measured by the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire relates to tolerance of infant distress by asking mothers (N=21) to soothe a life-like baby simulator (BSIM) that was inconsolable, crying for a fixed time period unless the mother chose to stop the interaction. Increasing maternal interest and curiosity in their child’s mental states, a key feature of parental reflective functioning, was associated with longer persistence times with the BSIM. Importantly, on a non-parent distress tolerance task, parental reflective functioning was not related to persistence times. These findings suggest that parental reflective functioning may be related to tolerance of infant distress, but not distress tolerance more generally, and thus may reflect specificity to parenting-specific persistence behavior.

There is not a great deal of empirical research on adolescent sex offenders and even less on mentally retarded adolescent sex offenders. This study provides some preliminary data in this area. Results of a survey of the extent and types of sexual problems evident amongst groups of mentally retarded and intellectually normal adolescents (N = 196), seen at an assessment and treatment centre in southwestern Ontario during a 14 month period is presented. In addition three groups of ten adolescents each (mentally retarded and intellectually normal sex offenders and one group of mentally retarded non-offenders with behavioural problems) were investigated to gain a more indepth perspective of characteristics of these adolescents and their backgrounds. Considering the high recidivism rate for these groups, indications for treatment are discussed with special consideration for the mentally retarded offenders.

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Eighty questionnaires were sent to parents and/or caregivers of autistic persons diagnosed between 1960-73 at CPRI, a regional assessment and treatment centre. The objective was to determine their present place of residence, functioning ability, language development, program involvement, and seizure activity. The results of this study support evidence that more than 50 percent require long-term institutional care; almost one-third suffer epileptic seizures; there is a persistence of symptoms and difficulty in gaining useful speech; few live independently or are capable of employment.

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The authors demonstrate the high prevalence of personality disorders in 384 intellectually impaired individuals examined in both community and institutional settings in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The relationship of specific clusters of personality disorders to later onset of psychiatric disorders in intellectually impaired individuals is suggested. New approaches to the management of personality disorders are noted utilizing clinical case studies. Differences and similarities in nomenclature in American and International diagnostic classifications are illustrated in this study. The use of a detailed longitudinal and cross-sectional collection of biological, social and standardized personality schedules is demonstrated as feasible in this special population.

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