Background: The negative effects of vicarious traumatization through trauma work are well known. However, a growing body of evidence testifies to the positive effects that have been reported following trauma. This study explored the potential positive effects of trauma work on therapists, with a focus on the associations of the personality construct ‘sense of coherence’ with both positive and negative changes. Methods: The study examined the positive and negative effects of trauma work in an international sample of 85 therapists. Participants completed measures of their trauma work experience, sense of coherence and positive and negative changes they experienced as a result of their trauma work. Results: A greater sense of coherence was associated with fewer negative changes and more positive changes. Conclusions: Adversarial growth in therapists deserves further enquiry to allow a more detailed understanding of the factors and processes involved.
Objective: With the increasing demand for clinical psychology services and the existing shortage of clinical psychologists, it is theoretically and clinically important to identify variables associated with non-attendance for clinical psychology appointments. The study reported here attempted to: (a) examine the effect of waiting time for an appointment on non-attendance to clinical psychology services; (b) investigate variables associated with prolonged waiting time; (c) explore the nature of the relationship between waiting time and length of psychological treatment.Method: The records of 49 3 patients offered an appointment to attend a clinical psychology service over a period of 24 months were analysed. Subsequently information on sex, age, type of referring problem, previous treatment history, treatment venue and waiting time for appointment, was collected and statistically analysed.Results: Non-attendance was significantly related to prolonged waiting time and young age. Controlling for the effects of waiting time and age, patients with complex problems and new patients wh o had never sought psychological treatment in the past were less likely to attend. Length of waiting time was higher in groups with previous treatment history, patients seen at a hospital based department, and patients with complex problems and anxiety disorders. Finally, length of psychological treatment (total number of sessions required) was not affected by prolonged waiting time.Conclusion: Non-attendance for clinical psychology appointments was associated with (a) young age, (b) prolonged waiting time (over six months), (c) complex psychological problems, and (d) new patients. The limitations and clinical implications of these findings are critically discussed.
A critical review of the literature relevant to social problem-solving skills training (SPSST) in individuals with intellectual disabilities concluded that although there is some evidence that training may be effective, the evidence is weak. It is suggested that little is known about factors which may moderate the effectiveness of training; in particular the impact of age, general intellectual ability and place of residence (community or institution). A five-stage view of the social problem-solving process is offered as a means for planning and evaluating SPSST programmes, and detailed outcome criteria are proposed for assessing the effectiveness of training. A group (n = 29) of adults with intellectual disabilities was given SPSST. Comparisons were made with an untrained control group (n = 17) matched to the trained group on age, general intelligence, adaptive and maladaptive behaviour. A statistically significant improvement was found in the trained group ( p < 0.01), but not in the control group (NS), on degree of maladaptive behaviour as rated by independent judges. Improvement occurred only in trainees resident in the community but was not influenced by age or level of general intelligence. Furthermore, reductions in maladaptive behaviour were associated with improvements in some but not all social problem-solving skills.
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