Degree of depression found in 120 spinal multiple sclerosis (MS) outpatients was related significantly to selected illness, demographic, and social variables. The more depressed individuals tended to be more disabled, older, and, in particular, perceived their families and friends as providing less social support than those who were less depressed. Those who had experienced at least one remission were less depressed than those who never had had a remission. Contrary to hypothesized expectations, the results also suggested that the longer a patient has MS, the more depressed he will be. Such results raise implications for psychotherapeutic intervention in this population, as well as suggest the need for future investigations of the MS patients's body image, self‐concept, and perception of disability.

Forty multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions: stress inoculation training (SIT) or current available care (CAC). The SIT treatment included cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and progressive deep-muscle relaxation training adapted for MS patients. The CAC treatment provided the usual clinic services, and the CAC group was told the SIT treatment would be available in 5 weeks. At posttest, it was found that the SIT group was significantly less depressed, anxious, and distressed than the CAC group and that they were utilizing more problem-focused coping strategies than CAC control subjects.

No abstract

This study is an examination of the relationship of religiosity and perceived social support to depression and self-esteem in nursing home residents. Answers to questionnaires administered to 83 nursing home residents indicated that perceived social support from family, public religious activity, and length of stay in the home were related to self-esteem and to depression. Past occupational status was also associated with self-esteem. Health status and having a choice in selecting the nursing home were negatively related to depression. Intrinsic religiosity and the resident's perceived social support from friends were not significantly related to depression or self-esteem.

Seventy‐one doctoral programs in professional psychology were surveyed with respect to the incidence of studentS' professional deficiencies and related procedures. Professional deficiencies, particularly limited clinical skills and personality/emotional problems, were reported by 89% of the respondents, twice the number that have official policies for dealing with such problems. Incidence of limited clinical skills was related positively to interviewing applicants and use of practicum grades for evaluation and related negatively to using recommendation letters and reliance on clinical supervisor's assessment. Responses to deficiencies reflected appropriate due process concepts and were most likely to include terminating students and psychotherapy referral. Recommendations are made for definitions of professional competencies, development of policies, and research on the reliability and validity of screening and evaluation mechanisms.