Th is study explores mediator stylistic variations in a sample of professional and novice mediators. Participants mediated the same simulated confl ict and reported on their in-session thinking using a stimulated recall procedure. Mediators described themselves as stylistically eclectic, but this was not borne out by observational data. Multidimensional scaling identifi ed two dimensions underlying mediator performance: stylistic orientation (relational versus settlement oriented) and level of empathic attunement. Qualitative analysis identifi ed facilitative and evaluative variants of the settlement orientation and transformative and diagnostic variants of the relational orientation. Th e facilitative and diagnostic mediators performed more skillfully than their evaluative and transformative counterparts.

A baseline assessment for an HIV health services study recruited 626 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in New York city who participated in an interview querying social support, health status, substance use, and mental health. Data were modeled using hierarchical classes (HICLAS) analysis. HICLAS discriminated items reflecting general support and assistance vs. support from an important person in one's life who was named in addition to other family members and friends. HICLAS then identified respondents who reported that they had general support and assistance, support from an important person, both types, or neither type of support. Having one or more important persons as part of the respondent's social network was associated with more positive mental (but not physical) health than having only general support and assistance, or no support at all. Results argue for differentiating support obtained through one's relationship with an important person.

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