No abstract

The responses of a nationally representative sample of 1,000 parents to a survey concerning parent attitudes, disciplinary practices, and other predictors of competent parenting were analyzed. Cluster analysis identified three subgroups based on their profiles of parenting attitudes and discipline. The first was high on physical discipline, neglect, verbal abuse, and attitudes that devalue children. They reported childhood abuse and domestic violence, marital difficulty, and problems managing anger. The second group was high on nonphysical as well as physical discipline, and had a more positive attitude toward children but also had a profile of psychosocial risk. The third group had low scores on all disciplinary practices, low perceived disciplinary efficacy, and a healthy marital and personal history. These groups are different from traditional parenting typologies, and the findings confirm theoretical predictions concerning the correlates of parenting problems and raise new questions concerning the convergence of physically punitive with nonpunitive discipline practices.

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To explore psychological resilience and recovery following the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, we assessed reactions to the incident in residents of Oklahoma City and a comparison city over 3 years. Concerned that the bombing might have preconditioned Oklahoma City residents to adverse reactions to later events, we also examined psychological responses to the September 11 terrorist attacks on Oklahoma City residents. We surveyed psychological responses to the bombing in residents of Oklahoma City and Indianapolis in 1995, 1996, and 1998 and psychological responses to the September 11 attacks in Oklahoma City as part of a national sample in 2002. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted. Oklahoma City residents reported significantly more posttraumatic and general stress compared to Indianapolis residents in the months following the bombing, but differences decreased over time. Oklahoma City respondents were no different from the rest of the nation on most measures after the September 11 attacks. Results suggest optimism regarding psychological resilience and recovery from terrorism in affected communities and nationally.

Telephone survey methodology was used to examine smoking and drinking after the September 11 terrorist attacks in a representative national sample. Most ever smokers and ever drinkers reported no change in substance use after the attacks. Smokers and drinkers who increased substance use were significantly more likely than those who did not to endorse a number of emotional reactions and functional difficulties. The pattern of associations of decreased use with emotional reactions and functional difficulties differed between smokers and drinkers. In general, decreased smoking was associated with denial of emotional reactions and functional difficulties whereas decreased drinking was associated with endorsement of these reactions and difficulties. The results have implications for research, clinical practice, and public health.