Dropout Group Research Articles

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE SCHOOL DROPOUTS WITH A SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHICALLY COMPARISON GROUP OF URBAN SLUM INHABITANTS IN MAHARASHTRA

Background and Objective: Getting children to school is one thing, keeping them there is quite another. Indeed a low school completion rate is one of the biggest threats to human development in India, it is imperative to find ways to reduce this and to do so one must examine the potential risk factors for the high dropout rate. This study was therefore undertaken to find out the magnitude of the problem of school dropouts and the etiological factors related to it. Methods: This study uses a community based descriptive cross-sectional design to identify school dropouts, socio-demographic profile, and a comparison of these factors responsible for school dropouts with non-school dropouts conducted in an urban slum area after the informed consent from all the participants. Descriptive analysis for socio-demographic factors in dropouts was done using Univariate analysis. P value less than 0.05 was the level of significance. Result: Comparison of socio-economic status in dropout and comparison group (Table-5) that the chances of dropouts were more in socioeconomic class V (69.1%) and IV (43.8%) than class III (16.7%). None of the 200 households belonged to Upper class (I). The relation between socio-economic status of dropout and comparison groups was found to be highly significant (p 0.0001). Conclusion: In this study, the commonest reason as perceived by dropouts for dropping out of school was cited as poverty by 41.8% respondents.

Predictors of dropout among personality disorders in a specialist outpatients psychosocial treatment: A preliminary study

The aim of this study was to identify factors that may affect treatment retention in a 1-year psychosocial program for adult personality disorders. The sample consists of patients admitted to the Adult Personality Disorder Outpatient Programme of the Bologna Community Mental Health Centre in the period 2003-2008. At the beginning of the program, patients were evaluated through a comprehensive assessment including sociodemographic form, diagnostic interviews and self-report questionnaires. Patients who dropped out from treatment were retrospectively compared with patients who completed the program. Out of 39 patients enrolled in the program, 20 (51.3%) dropped out and 19 (48.7%) completed the treatment. Out of 20 patients who dropped out, 14 terminated the treatment within the first 2 months. The dropout group and the group which remained showed significant differences in diagnosis (borderline personality disorder [BPD]), demographic data (age, time from first contact with psychiatric services), clinical variable (impulsiveness) and subjective experience (motivation, treatment expectation, therapeutic relation perception and barriers to access). BPD and subjective evaluation were found to be predictors of premature termination in the sample. In detail, BPD patients who experienced a less satisfactory therapeutic relationship and reported many external problems were more likely to drop out of the program. Important factors contributing to dropout were identified, with potential implication for clinical practice. Further efforts need to be made to find ways to retain BPD patients who find the first subjective experience of the service more problematic.

Levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel infusion long‐term therapy in advanced Parkinson’s disease

Infusion of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (Duodopa ; Abbott) was introduced in Sweden in 1991 as an experimental treatment in advanced Parkinson's disease and obtained EU approval in 2004. There is compelling evidence for short-term use of this treatment; however, long-term data are scarce. A retrospective review of medical records was performed. The primary objective was to assess the duration of treatment for all Swedish patients starting long-term levodopa/carbidopa gel therapy between January 1991 and June 2008. Secondary aims were to study demographics, treatment with anti-Parkinson's disease drugs and other concomitant medications, and reasons for discontinuation of levodopa/carbidopa gel. Of 150 identified patients, 135 were included in the study. On average, patients were 49 years at diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and 63 years when infusion therapy was initiated. The median treatment time on infusion was 3.4 years (range, 0-16 years). The restricted mean treatment time was nearly 8 years; 81 patients were still on treatment at the end of the study. Levodopa was used as monotherapy in a majority of patients. Dosage of the drug was stable over time. Thirty-one patients discontinued infusion prior to the cutoff date and 23 patients died. Device-related problems were the most common reason for discontinuation. Patients were more likely to discontinue infusion therapy before 2000. The year of infusion initiation was significantly earlier in the dropout group compared with a matched group of continuing patients. Levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel infusion is a long-term treatment alternative in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.

Family therapy retention: an observation of first-session communication.

This study examined the relationship between communication patterns and retention among families (n=18) receiving family therapy. Those that attended 12 sessions were labeled completers (n=6), 4-8 sessions were middle dropouts (n=6), and 1-3 sessions were early dropouts (n=6). Audiotape recordings of the first therapy session were transcribed. The content (positive or negative) and total percentage of communications by the parent, adolescent, and therapist were coded. Completer and middle dropout parents (but not adolescents) showed higher talk time proportions than parents in the early dropout group. Completer families had higher percentages of therapist-to-parent communications, while early dropout families had higher percentages of therapist-to-adolescent communications. There were no significant differences between middle dropouts and completers in either content or total communications. These findings demonstrate the potential utility of examining within-session communication patterns and suggest that within-session processes may determine therapy retention.

Treatment Compliance and Parents' Characteristics in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder : Pilot Study

ResultsZZAccording to the results of the KPI-C, parents of the early dropout group showed a higher tendency to regard their children’s symptoms as ‘somatization’ and ‘delinquency’, compared with those of continuous treatment groups (49.9 vs. 46.3 and 60.9 vs. 58.2, p=0.048 and 0.046, respectively). Parents in the early dropout group showed higher scores on hypochondriasis and psychasthenia subscales in MMPI (54.7 vs. 52.1 and 51.5 vs. 48.5, p=0.024, and 0.017, respectively). The results of the K-PSOC showed that parents in the early dropout group perceived a lower sense of parenting competence (27.3 vs. 58.6, p=0.047). ConclusionZZOur findings suggested that characteristics of the parents and their perspectives regarding children’s symptoms could be possible factors associated with treatment compliance in ADHD. Further researches on this issue may provide opportunities to improve treatment compliance for children with ADHD. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc 2012;51:225-232

Can countertransference at the early stage of trauma care predict patient dropout of psychiatric treatment?

To investigate the association between feelings of countertransference (CT) at the early psychiatric care provided to trauma victims and treatment outcome. The Assessment of Countertransference Scale was used to access CT after the first medical appointment. Fifty psychiatric residents cared for 131 trauma victims of whom 83% were women, aged 15 to 64 years. Patients had been consecutively selected over 4 years. Were evaluated the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients and the correlation with the therapists' CT feelings. Patients were followed-up during treatment to verify the association between initial CT and treatment outcome, defined as discharge and dropout. The median number of appointments was 5 [4; 8], absences 1 [0; 1], and the dropout rate was 34.4%. Both groups, namely the discharge group and the dropout group, shared similar clinical and demographic characteristics. A multivariate analysis identified that patients with a reported history of childhood trauma were 61% less likely to dropout from treatment than patients with no reported history of childhood trauma (OR = 0.39, p = 0.039, CI95% 0.16-0.95). There was no association between initial CT and treatment outcome. In this sample, CT in the initial care of trauma victims was not associated with treatment outcome. Further studies should assess changes in CT during treatment, and how such changes impact treatment outcome.

Factores predisponentes al abandono del tratamiento preventivo en una serie de pacientes con migraña

The drop-out rate among patients receiving preventive treatment for migraine is higher than 30%. This situation is not very widely known and the risk factors that lead patients to drop out from treatment have yet to be identified. To evaluate some of the factors that can predispose patients to drop out of preventive treatment. We conducted a prospective study of patients suffering from migraine who required preventive treatment for the first time with one of what are considered the top three first-choice drugs, i.e. a beta-blocker (nadolol), a neuromodulator (topiramate) or a calcium antagonist (flunarizine). Two groups were established according to whether patients dropped out of treatment or not. Different demographic and clinical variables were analysed and compared in the two groups. Of 800 patients with migraine who required preventive treatment for the first time, the drop-out rate was 19.7%. In the drop-out group, the variables 'age', 'number of seizures', 'number of seizures prior to preventive treatment' and 'side effects' showed significant differences with those from the group of patients who did not drop out of preventive treatment. The drug used as preventive treatment, the side effects, a younger age and a lower number of seizures before starting the preventive treatment favoured higher drop-out rates. Whether the migraine was episodic or chronic, the presence of medication abuse and the drugs used to treat the seizures were not related with dropping out of preventive treatment.

Treatment Outcomes and Predictors of Drop out for Problem Gamblers in South Australia: A Cohort Study

Recent prevalence studies in Australia, the USA and Canada have estimated 1-2% of the adult population meet the diagnostic criteria for problem or pathological gambling. The Statewide Gambling Therapy Service (SGTS) provides treatment for problem gamblers in key metropolitan and rural regions in South Australia. The aims of this study were two-fold: to analyse the short and mid-term outcomes following treatment provided by SGTS and to identify factors associated with treatment drop-out. A cohort of treatment seeking problem gamblers was recruited through SGTS in 2008. Repeated outcome measures included problem gambling screening, gambling related cognitions and urge. Treatment drop-out was defined as participants attending three or less treatment sessions, whilst potential predictors of drop-out included perceived social support , anxiety and sensation-seeking traits. Of 127 problem gamblers who participated in the study, 69 (54%) were males with a mean age of 43.09 years (SD = 12.65 years) and with 65 (52%) reporting a duration of problem gambling greater than 5 years. Follow up time for 50% of participants was greater than 8.9 months and, overall, 41 (32%) participants were classified as treatment drop-outs. Results indicated significant improvement over time on all outcome measures except alcohol use for both treatment completers and drop-outs, although to a lesser extent for the treatment drop-out group. A significant predictor of treatment drop-out was sensation-seeking traits. These results will inform future treatment planning and service delivery, and guide research into problem gambling including aspects of treatment drop-out.

Abandono do atendimento em uma clínica-escola de psicologia infantil: variáveis associadas

O objetivo deste estudo retrospectivo foi levantar taxas de desistência e abandono do atendimento em uma clínica-escola de psicologia infantil e identificar fatores de risco sócio-demográficos, clínicos e familiares para ambos os desfechos. Dados de 258 crianças foram obtidos nos prontuários. Desistiram do atendimento logo após a entrevista inicial 16% das famílias. Entre as famílias não desistentes, 49% interromperam o atendimento antes da alta. Foram comparados, quanto aos fatores de risco, os grupos desistente e não desistente. Além disso, no grupo não desistente, os subgrupos abandono (clientes que compareceram ao menos uma vez antes de interromperem o tratamento) e alta clínica (clientes que persistiram até o final do atendimento) também foram comparados. Famílias desistentes apresentaram mais crianças nas séries iniciais, com menos problemas de comportamento. O abandono foi associado a menor recurso cognitivo e menor idade da criança, pai mais jovem e maior exposição da família a estresse psicossocial.

Les ruptures de prise en charge chez des patients d’un centre de soin de réadaptation psychiatrique et leurs liens avec les capacités relationnelles, les relations d’objets intériorisées et l’intensité des troubles

Between 30 and 60% of patients drop-out of institutional psychiatric treatment. There are few studies on this issue and these have not provided a clear understanding of this fact. Although it is a different therapeutic setting, there are many studies on patients' dropout in psychotherapy: the influence of many patient sociodemographic variables such as gender, age, diagnostic, were studied without providing strong and regular links with early dropout. Other, more relational variables (such as object relation and interpersonal functioning), gave stronger results although insufficiently confirmed by different studies. A third kind of variable involves the concrete relationship between patient and therapist (therapeutic alliance, patient's expectations) and provided interesting results (but not easy to use in institutional treatment). The aim of this study is to provide data to understand patients' institutional dropout in a French psychiatric centre. The latter's aim is psychosocial rehabilitation for schizophrenic and borderline patients. Thirty percent of these dropout during psychosocial treatment. According to the specificities and aims of this psychiatric centre, we hypothesize that there are strong links between relational dimensions (objet relation, interpersonal functioning), subjective evaluation of pathology intensity, and early dropout. Thirty-one subjects; 65% schizophrenic, 23% borderline, 13% other (according to the ICD10 criteria); 71% females; mean age 34 years (min=23; max=55); mean education level=3.4 (2 years of high school university). to have dropped out before 6 months' of the treatment, or continuing the treatment after 6 months (mean of treatment for all patients=15 months). patients present in the service for less than 6 months). At the beginning of the treatment, each patient (informed consent provided) underwent a psychological assessment with: Échelle d'aptitude psychosociale (EAPS) for assessing interactional functioning; SCL90-R for assessing the intensity of psychopathology; TAT (with Social Cognition and Object Relation Scale [SCORS] scales) and Rorschach (with Mutuality Of Autonomy [MOA] scale) for assessing object relations. After 6 months of treatment, each patient was evaluated with a five-point scale (dropout and continuity scale), which assessed the investment in the treatment (criteria: dropout at 3 or 6 months or continuity; according or not to the centre's professionals; level of assiduity). We have correlated this variable with EAPS, SCORS and MOA. In addition, we have calculated statistical relationships between age, gender, diagnostic, education level and early dropout. Correlation was found neither between interactional functioning (EAPS) and dropout nor between object relations (SCORS and MOA) and dropout. Correlations were found between the dropout and intensity of the psychopathology (SCL90-R): the more the patient sees himself suffering, the more he invests the centre and the less he drops out (Spearman R=0.37, P<0.05). No differences were found between the dropout (N=10) and continuity group (N=21) regarding age, gender and diagnostic. However, a correlation was found regarding the education level: the more patients are educated, the more they continue the treatment (R=0.45; P<0.05). The dropout (and the continuity of treatment) seems more likely related to concrete variables such as psychological and relational suffering, educational level in this study, than structural psychological variables such as object relation, relational skills, and diagnostic. Other studies are necessary for a better understanding of these drops out. An interesting way should be the study in institution of the therapeutic alliance.

経年的体力調査に対する脱落高齢者および継続高齢者の特徴

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the differences in physical fitness level between those who continued to participate and those who dropped out during a 5-year longitudinal study. METHODS: The subjects were 254 older Japanese men and women, aged 60 y and over (69.6±5.6 y), who lived independently and were able to participate in physical fitness testing only at the baseline (drop-out group: n=163, 70.1±5.5 y) or every year from 2000 to 2005 (follow-up group: n=91, 68.7±4.5 y). Seven physical-performance test items related to activities of daily living were measured. In addition, a questionnaire was used to collect information regarding self-reported exercise habituation, joint pain, health-related quality of life and health condition. Significance of differences between the drop-out group and follow-up group were tested using Student's t test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Logistic regression analysis was performed to explain characteristics of physical fitness status in the two groups. The level of statistical significance was set at P<0.05 for all analyses. RESULTS: At the baseline, those in the drop-out group were older, had lower levels of physical fitness and more joint pains, and were physically less active than the follow-up subjects. However, health-related quality of life and health condition did not differ significantly between the two groups. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex, those in the drop-out group had a slower walking speed around the two cones in a figure 8 (odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.12 to 1.35), and were non-habituated to exercise (odds ratio 1.72, 95% confidence interval 0.97 to 3.06). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that older adults who drop out after the baseline in physical fitness tests are older, have lower physical fitness, and are physically sedentary.

The Hidden Dropout Phenomenon among Immigrant High-School Students

The high school dropout rate among immigrant students has become a serious problem in many places around the world. Hidden dropout or irregular school attendance may be the first stage of school dropout. This article examines the hidden dropout phenomenon among Ethiopian immigrant adolescents aged 14—18 in Israel, as a prototype of immigration from a traditional, rural society to a western one. Sixty irregular school attendees were compared with 28 regular attendees, regarding the following characteristics: family and socio-economic background, psychological distress symptoms (BSI), self-efficacy (SEF), perceived social support (MSPSS) and cognitive skills (ROcF). Results indicated that both groups came from similar low socio-economic backgrounds and showed similarly poor cognitive performance levels. However, among the hidden dropout group, the perceived social support was significantly higher and feelings of stress were significantly lower. Several explanations are provided for these unexpected results, and research and practice implications are discussed.

A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Overweight Children

To assess the 1-year results of a multidisciplinary, cognitive behavioral therapy treatment program for overweight and obese children. Children (n = 73; 8 to 15 years old) participated in a prospective study aimed at reduction of the body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS), adapting a healthy lifestyle and creating a positive self-image and higher self-esteem, by use of a group approach and parental involvement. Reduction in BMI-SDS and percent overweight were measured and analyzed by use of MIXED modeling. The participants achieved a 0.6 BMI-SDS reduction, comparable to a weight loss of 18.7% after 1 year (P < .0001). The proportion of dropouts was 33%. Compared with the follow-up group, dropouts were older, increased in BMI-SDS before start of treatment, and were less successful in BMI-SDS reduction during treatment. This treatment program had a positive effect on BMI-SDS in overweight and obese children at 1-year follow-up. Differences between the characteristics of the dropout and follow-up group may reflect predictor variables for treatment outcome.

Ten years results of bucillamine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

A 10-year cohort study was performed, involving all of the 118 patients treated with bucillamine in our hospital between 1988 and 1990. Evaluation was made on the basis of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, grip strength, joint score, duration of morning stiffness, and Lansbury index consisting of the above four parameters. Eleven patients were male and 107 were female, with a mean age of 53 years (range: 20-79 years) and a mean duration of illness of 8.2 years (range: 2-31 years). Lansbury index remained significantly suppressed throughout the 10-year period of treatment. Continuous treatment was possible for 10 years in 18 patients (15%: 2 men and 16 women). Stage of disease did not advance in 14 patients. Six patients met the criteria for remission. Of all patients, 50% dropped out of treatment at 2.4 years after the start of treatment and 75% at 5 years. The 100 patients who dropped out could be roughly divided into three groups. One third of them dropped out because of lack of or attenuation of response. Another third dropped out because of referral to other medical facilities or discontinuation of visits to our hospital, and the remaining third dropped out because of adverse reactions to treatment. There was no particular trend in terms of sex, age, duration of sickness, drugs used before bucillamine, or level of activity of rheumatoid arthritis. There were no significant difference in the stage and class of the disease, and other backgrounds between 10-year treatment group and dropout group.

Ten years results of bucillamine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

A 10-year cohort study was performed, involving all of the 118 patients treated with bucillamine in our hospital between 1988 and 1990. Evaluation was made on the basis of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, grip strength, joint score, duration of morning stiffness, and Lansbury index consisting of the above four parameters. Eleven patients were male and 107 were female, with a mean age of 53 years (range: 20–79 years) and a mean duration of illness of 8.2 years (range: 2–31 years). Lansbury index remained significantly suppressed throughout the 10-year period of treatment. Continuous treatment was possible for 10 years in 18 patients (15%: 2 men and 16 women). Stage of disease did not advance in 14 patients. Six patients met the criteria for remission. Of all patients, 50% dropped out of treatment at 2.4 years after the start of treatment and 75% at 5 years. The 100 patients who dropped out could be roughly divided into three groups. One third of them dropped out because of lack of or attenuation of response. Another third dropped out because of referral to other medical facilities or discontinuation of visits to our hospital, and the remaining third dropped out because of adverse reactions to treatment. There was no particular trend in terms of sex, age, duration of sickness, drugs used before bucillamine, or level of activity of rheumatoid arthritis. There were no significant difference in the stage and class of the disease, and other backgrounds between 10-year treatment group and dropout group.

Developmental activities that lead to dropout and investment in sport

Background: Studies suggest that expert performance in sport is the result of long-term engagement in a highly specialized form of training termed deliberate practice. The relationship between accumulated deliberate practice and performance predicts that those who begin deliberate practice at a young age accumulate more practice hours over time and would, therefore, have a significant performance advantage. However, qualitative studies have shown that a large amount of sport-specific practice at a young age may lead to negative consequences, such as dropout, and is not necessarily the only path to expert performance in sport. Studies have yet to investigate the activity context, such as the amount of early sport participation, deliberate play and deliberate practice within which dropout occurs. Purpose: To determine whether the nature and amount of childhood-organized sport, deliberate play and deliberate practice participation influence athletes' subsequent decisions to drop out or invest in organized sport. It was hypothesized that young athletes who drop out will have sampled fewer sports, spent less time in deliberate play activities and spent more time in deliberate practice activities during childhood sport involvement. Participants: The parents of eight current, high-level, male, minor ice hockey players formed an active group. The parents of four high-level, male, minor ice hockey players who had recently withdrawn from competitive hockey formed a dropout group. Data collection: Parents completed a structured retrospective survey designed to assess their sons' involvement in organized sport, deliberate play and deliberate practice activities from ages 6 to 13. Data analysis: A complete data-set was available for ages 6 through 13, resulting in a longitudinal data-set spanning eight years. This eight-year range was divided into three levels of development corresponding to the players' progress through the youth ice hockey system. Level one encompassed ages 6–9, level two included ages 10–11 and level three covered ages 12–13. Descriptive statistics were used to report the ages at which the active and dropout players first engaged in select hockey activities. ANOVA with repeated measures across the three levels of development was used to compare the number of sports the active and dropout players were involved in outside of hockey, the number of hours spent in these sports, and involvement in various hockey-related activities. Findings: Results indicated that both the active and dropout players enjoyed a diverse and playful introduction to sport. Furthermore, the active and dropout players invested similar amounts of time in organized hockey games, organized hockey practices, specialized hockey training activities (e.g. hockey camps) and hockey play. However, analysis revealed that the dropout players began off-ice training at a younger age and invested significantly more hours/year in off-ice training at ages 12–13, indicating that engaging in off-ice training activities at a younger age may have negative implications for long-term ice hockey participation. Conclusion: These results are consistent with previous research that has found that early diversification does not hinder sport-specific skill development and it may, in fact, be preferable to early specialization. The active and dropout players differed in one important aspect of deliberate practice: off-ice training activities. The dropout players began off-ice training at a younger age, and participated in more off-ice training at ages 12 and 13 than their active counterparts. This indicates a form of early specialization and supports the postulate that early involvement in practice activities that are not enjoyable may ultimately undermine the intrinsic motivation to continue in sport. Youth sport programs should not focus on developing athletic fitness through intense and routine training, but rather on sport-specific practice, games and play activities that foster fun and enjoyment.

L’intensité de la détresse péritraumatique prédit la survenue des symptômes post-traumatiques parmi des victimes d’agressions

Among the peritraumatic reactions after a traumatic event, one best identifies dissociation as a predictor of serious post-traumatic problems. The dimension of emotional distress is recent in the literature and we have attempted to identify how it may contribute to the prediction of the evolution of post-traumatic symptoms. 1. Population. Victims of individual aggression and those of a hold-up were recruited consecutively in the Paris area from five consulting centers. Individuals who had lost consciousness, had psychotic or dementia problems, or had a serious somatic patho-logy were excluded. Overall, we included 101 individuals with a traumatic experience (DSM IV criteria) that took place in the past 12 months. Two evaluations with a six-month interval were made. The first involved a face-to-face consultation with a clinician and the second required the individuals to complete self-reports. 2. Instruments. The Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) was administered to measure peritraumatic emotional distress, in the first phase. The Peritraumatic Dissociative Experience Questionnaire (PDEQ) was used to measure the intensity of the trauma and the dissociation, in this first phase. The Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R) was administered to assess the severity of the PTSD symptoms, in the first phase and at six months. The Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview (MINI) was used in diagnosing depression and PTSD. Among the 63 subjects who were followed-up after the initial meeting and completed the second half of the study, 29 were victims of physical assault, 20 of a hold-up, 7 of a robbery, and 5 were confronted with another menacing situation; thus 40 were victims of aggression. According to the first consultation, 46 individuals presented symptoms of PTSD and 22 presented an episode of major depression. Between those who were followed-up for the whole study and those who dropped out after the initial consultation there were no significant differences with regards to gender, type of aggression, initial PDI scores (t=0.38, df=96, p=.7), PDEQ scores (t=0.7, df=96, p=0.94), or IES-R scores (t=0.23, df=97, p=0.082). Individuals who were victims of physical or sexual assault showed higher scores on the IES-R than individuals who claimed no such assault. The scores for peritraumatic dissociation were correlated with the initial IES-R scores with a correlation coefficient of 0.50. The scores from the PDEQ and the initial PDI were correlated with the IES-R scores at six months with a coefficient of 0.63. Using a multi-hierarchical linear regression controlling for type of experience, it appeared that the score of peritraumatic distress improved the variance by 14% in predicting the IES-R score at six months, compared to the prediction of the score of the initial IES-R. This is the first study using a prospective inquiry to demonstrate the power of the peritraumatic emotional distress score. Our results suggest that the type of trauma is a strong predictor of prognosis at six months. Despite our small sample size, the absence of significant differences between the drop-out group and our subjects reduces the probability of a bias in our selection criteria to explain our results. This study points to the fact that the measurement of peritraumatic emotional distress (PDI) is a good predictor of PTSD symptoms six months down the road. This study underlines the importance of an initial psychotraumatic consultation to identify the type of trauma and to measure the intensity of the peritraumatic symptoms in order to predict the severity of the evolution.

Simulator Sickness Scores According to Symptom Susceptibility, Age, and Gender for an Older Driver Assessment Study

The incidence and severity of simulator sickness results for an older driver assessment study is reported. The data from a total of 118 participants comprised of 67 older drivers (aged 70–90; 37 male, 30 female) and 51 younger drivers (age 21–50; 22 male, 29 female) was used for this study. The primary objective of this project was to develop a PC-based program in conjunction with a low-cost driving simulator that can be used for screening and potentially retraining the psychomotor, attentional, and cognitive skills of older drivers. A large range of sensory, perceptual, psychomotor, and cognitive tests were provided to validate the driving simulator and/or provide a comprehensive older driver assessment test battery. Simulator sickness ratings after 5 driving simulator sessions were obtained using the Kennedy, Lane, Berbaum, and Lilienthal (1993) Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). Dropout and scenario completion rates suggest a higher symptom incidence for older drivers, particularly older female drivers. Scenario design effects are also discussed as it relates to dropout rates. SSQ analysis using nausea, oculomotor, and disorientation subscales across driving simulator sessions were performed for dropout participants and non-dropout participants. Contrary to dropout rates, no age effects were found in the SSQ data. No gender differences were found within the dropout group, but found in the non-dropout group for nausea and oculomotor scores. No relationship was found between contrast sensitivity and simulator sickness.

Adolescent and parent therapeutic alliances as predictors of dropout in multidimensional family therapy.

The authors examined the relations between adolescent-therapist and mother-therapist therapeutic alliances and dropout in multidimensional family therapy for adolescents who abuse drugs. The authors rated videotapes of family therapy sessions using observational methods to identify therapist-adolescent and therapist-mother alliances in the first 2 therapy sessions. Differences in adolescent and mother alliances in families that dropped out of therapy and families that completed therapy were compared. Results indicate that both adolescent and mother alliances with the therapist discriminated between dropout and completer families. Although no differences were observed between the 2 groups in Session 1, adolescents and mothers in the dropout group demonstrated statistically significantly lower alliance scores in Session 2 than adolescents and parents in the completer group. These findings are consistent with other research that has established a relationship between therapeutic alliance and treatment response.

Risk assessment and prediction of violent and sexual recidivism in sex offenders: Long-term predictive validity of four risk assessment instruments

The long term predictive validity of four current risk assessment instruments (Static-99, HCR-20, SVR-20, PCL-R) was assessed in Germany on three different groups of subjects. The groups consisted of 73 sex offenders released from a prison-based special therapeutic unit (therapeutic sample), 15 individuals who did not complete this treatment (drop-outs), and another 46 subjects who were assessed in a psychiatric hospital having been accused of a sexual offence (assessment sample). The results of the three samples were then compared. The outcome was obtained by examining the national conviction registry. The mean follow-up time was 9 years (range: 1 - 340 months). The highest rate of recidivism was observed in the drop-out group, with only one individual not reoffending. The assessment group had slightly fewer reoffences compared to the treatment group, which had been selected as a high risk population. The treatment sample exceeded the assessment sample, especially concerning sexual reoffences, but less so concerning violent reoffences. Of all the assessment instruments and using the total sample, the Static-99 was the most efficient predictor of all, violent non-sexual and non-contact sexual recidivism. For the prediction of contact sexual recidivism the AUC of the HCR-20 and the SVR-20 was slightly better, but very similar to the Static-99. These differences between assessment instruments were, however, not statistically significant. The AUC for the Static-99 was smaller in the treatment group, but larger than for other assessment instruments. The Static-99 risk categories correlated significantly with the Kaplan - Meier survival functions.