Mental Training Program Research Articles

The Effects of Two Stress Management Training Programs on Cardiorespiratory Efficiency

The effects of two stress management programs on the cardiorespiratory efficiency of eight male cross-country runners were investigated. Oxygen consumption and heart rate data were monitored on a maximal oxygen consumption tradmill run. A week later each subject completed a 20-min submaximal run (at a constant workload approximating 50% of each subject's maximal oxygen consumption run). Based on these scores, subjects were divided into three groups: control, stress innoculation training, and stress management training. Subjects in both training groups completed a mental training program including EMG relaxation training, cognitive coping strategies, and one type of imagery training. Results of the 20-min post submaximal run indicated significant differences in cardiorespiratory efficiency between both training groups and the control group. No differences emerged between the training groups.

A Model for Training Community Mental Health Researchers and Evaluators

A description is presented of a mental health evaluation and research training program at New Mexico State University. The program trains and prepares students to serve as evaluators for community mental health centers. The curriculum consists of coursework in statistics, computer science, sociology, and the behavioral sciences, supplemented by an internship or field training experience and newly developed courses in mental health evaluation. The program provides a 24-month study period culminating in a master's degree or a 42-month study period which culminates in a Ph. D.

Community-based mental health training

Community-based mental health training programs are characterized by their location within the neighborhood to be served and by the involvement of community members in program planning, implementation, and evaluation. Community-based programs are joint efforts, and use the resources of both institutions of higher learning and community organizations or agencies. This article describes one such effort: a mental health paraprofessional training program held on-site at The Woodlawn Organization, in Chicago, Illinois. The two-year project provided bachelor's level education to members of the Woodlawn community, allowing them to assume roles as mental health leaders for Woodlawn. The Woodlawn Organization represents the people of the community, and had a long history of involvement in building self-determination for its members. This concept provided an underlying motivation for the mental health training program as well. Students were trained, not just to deliver direct services, but to develop and implement mental health programs that would respond to the priorities set by the citizens of Woodlawn.

Comparison of two mental health counselor training programs.

Two groups of psychiatric attendants were trained using an integrated didactic-experiential approach (N=14) and a traditional training approach (N=14). Both training groups demonstrated significantly greater change in interpersonal skill than the control group (N=14), whereas the integrated group showed greater positive change than the traditional group. Only the traditional group demonstrated significant change in on-the-job behaviors, and that was on “attitude toward supervision.” Race, age, education, and experience were not related to positive change in interpersonal skill. It was concluded that the integrated training approach is most effective when concerned with specific counselor skills. Demographic variables may not be relevant in selection nor related to growth in mental health counselor training.