Personal Adjustment Problems Research Articles

Parenting style of mothers with generalized anxiety disorder and behavioral problems in their children

The study aimed to examine the role of mother’s generalized anxiety disorder on their parenting style and its association with behavioral problems in their children. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, matched-control group design, using purposive sampling method was employed. Total sample of forty mothers with their children were recruited. Twenty mothers diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and the remaining 20 were healthy mothers, in study and healthy control groups respectively, all matched on age, gender and education. MINI International Psychiatric Interview (MINI 7.0), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) were administered on all mothers. Behavioral Assessment System for Children 3rd (BASC-3) was administered to assess presence of or possibility of developing behavioral problems in their children. Results and Conclusion: The study findings highlighted that as compared to healthy mothers who implemented more of authoritative style of parenting, mothers with GAD, on the other hand, employed more of authoritarian and permissive styles of parenting. Further, authoritative parenting style was significantly and negatively correlated with scores on HAM-A in the study group. Significant numbers of the children of mothers with GAD found to have clinically significant scores and were at-risk for developing internalizing problems, inattention/ hyperactivity, problems related to personal adjustment and emotional problems as compared to children of healthy mothers in the present study.

Self-Efficacy Predicts Personal and Family Adjustment Among Persons With Spinal Cord Injury or Acquired Brain Injury and Their Significant Others: A Dyadic Approach

ObjectivesTo investigate whether the combination of self-efficacy levels of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) or acquired brain injury (ABI) and their significant others, measured shortly after the start of inpatient rehabilitation, predict their personal and family adjustment 6 months after inpatient discharge. DesignProspective longitudinal study. SettingTwelve Dutch rehabilitation centers. ParticipantsVolunteer sample consisting of dyads (N=157) of adults with SCI or ABI who were admitted to inpatient rehabilitation and their adult significant others. InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresSelf-efficacy (General Competence Scale) and personal and family adjustment (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and McMaster Family Assessment Device General Functioning). ResultsIn 20 dyads, both individuals with SCI or ABI and their significant others showed low self-efficacy at baseline. In 67 dyads, both showed high self-efficacy. In the low-self-efficacy dyads, 61% of the individuals with SCI or ABI and 50% of the significant others showed symptoms of anxiety 6 months after discharge, vs 23% and 30%, respectively, in the high-self-efficacy dyads. In the low-self-efficacy dyads, 56% of individuals with SCI or ABI and 50% of the significant others reported symptoms of depression, vs 20% and 27%, respectively, in the high-self-efficacy dyads. Problematic family functioning was reported by 53% of the individuals with SCI or ABI and 42% of the significant others in the low-self-efficacy dyads, vs 4% and 12%, respectively, in the high-self-efficacy dyads. Multivariate analysis of variance analyses showed that the combination of levels of self-efficacy of individuals with SCI or ABI and their significant others at the start of inpatient rehabilitation predict personal (V=0.12; F6,302=2.8; P=.010) and family adjustment (V=0.19; F6,252=4.3; P<.001) 6 months after discharge. ConclusionsLow-self-efficacy dyads appear to be more at risk for personal and family adjustment problems after discharge. Screening for self-efficacy may help healthcare professionals to identify and support families at risk for long-term adjustment problems.

Aggressive behavior in adolescence as a predictor of personal, family, and school adjustment problems.

The goal of the present study was to determine the extent to which aggressive behavior towards peers predicts greater personal, school, and family maladjustment in adolescent aggressors of both sexes. The sample consisted of 1510 Spanish adolescents from 12 to 17 years old, who anonymously and voluntarily completed self-report questionnaires. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that, regarding personal adjustment, aggressive behavior was significantly associated with high scores in depressive symptomatology, perceived stress and loneliness, and low scores in self-esteem, life satisfaction and empathy, for both sexes. In the school setting, aggressive behavior was related to low scores in academic engagement, friends in the classroom, perception of teacher support, and a positive attitude towards school. At the family level, significant relationships were observed between aggressive behavior and high scores in offensive communication and family conflict, and low scores in open communication with parents, general expressiveness, and family cohesion. In cases of peer violence it is necessary to give urgent attention to all those involved, since maladjustment in aggressors can be predicted in many levels of intervention.

Incarcerated Fathers: Exploring the Dimensions and Prevalence of Parenting Capacity of Non-Violent Offenders

This study explored the level and multi-dimensional nature of parenting capacity, defined as the personal and psychological qualities associated with positive parenting behaviors, in a sample of 196 fathers incarcerated in one state minimum-security facility. The non-violent offender fathers in this study reported knowledge about parental empathy and beliefs about corporeal punishment parallel to what would be expected in the general population. A majority identified with and valued their fatherhood role. However, these fathers also reported depression, psychological difficulties, and personal adjustment problems that could diminish effective parenting and put them at risk for subsequent child abusing behaviors. Race and amount of contact with child during imprisonment were major factors associated with different parenting capacity dimensions. Research limitations and practice implications are discussed.

Decades of transition for the US reserves: Changing demands on reserve identity and mental well-being

The US strategic defence policy has undergone dramatic changes in the last two decades, with more recent changes having placed increased demands on members of the reserve components. Rapid and often unexpected call-ups of reserves for operational missions, both domestic and international, required meeting standards for mobilization and deployment. Standards were in place but not necessarily met. Mobilizations pointed to several areas of unpreparedness; at first, obvious areas, such as members being physically unfit, inadequately trained and improperly equipped and less than competent unit leaders; and later, less obvious areas, in particular, emergent personal adjustment problems. During these mobilizations, unique consequences of stressors on individual reservists were evident, including worries about family and civilian job during deployment, adjustments to returning and reintegration, post-deployment post-traumatic stress disorder and related symptoms, and now suicide. Some have explained these findings, though lacking is a broad explanatory framework. Reserve identity is offered as a preliminary concept to interpret reservists’ deployment experiences, post-deployment adjustment, and associated mental health needs, providing a basis for preventive intervention strategies.

Psychosocial adjustment in adolescents who have used cochlear implants since preschool.

This study examined psychosocial characteristics of students who had used a cochlear implant (CI) since preschool and were evaluated when they were in elementary grades and again in high school. The study had four goals: (1) to determine the extent to which psychosocial skills documented in elementary grades were maintained into high school; (2) to assess the extent to which long-term CI users identified with the Deaf community or the hearing world or both; (3) to examine the association between group identification and the student's sense of self-esteem, preferred communication mode, and spoken language skills; and (4) to describe the extracurricular world of the teenagers who were mainstreamed with hearing age-mates for most of their academic experience. As part of a larger study, 112 CI students (aged 15.0 to 18.6 yrs) or their parents completed questionnaires describing their social skills, and a subsample of 107 CI students completed group identification and self-esteem questionnaires. Results were compared with either a control group of hearing teenagers (N = 46) or age-appropriate hearing norms provided by the assessment developer. Average psychosocial ratings from both parents and students at both elementary grades and high school indicated a positive self-image throughout the school years. Seventy percent of the adolescents expressed either strong identification with the hearing community (32%) or mixed identification with both deaf and hearing communities (38%). Almost all CI students (95%) were mainstreamed for more than half of the day, and the majority of students (85%) were in the appropriate grade for their age. Virtually all CI students (98%) reported having hearing friends, and a majority reported having deaf friends. More than 75% of CI students reported that they used primarily spoken language to communicate and that good spoken language skills enabled them to participate more fully in all aspects of their lives. Identification with the hearing world was not associated with personal or social adjustment problems but was associated with better speech perception and English language skill. Ninety-four percent were active participants in high school activities and sports, and 50% held part-time jobs (a rate similar to that documented for hearing teens). The majority of these early-implanted adolescents reported strong social skills, high self-esteem, and at least mixed identification with the hearing world. However, these results must be viewed in light of possible sources of sample selection bias and may not represent the psychosocial characteristics of the entire population of children receiving CIs.

Adjustment problems among international students in Malaysian private higher education institutions

The Malaysian government aims to internationalize tertiary education in the country. In order to attract more international students, it is important to understand and develop measures to overcome the various kinds of adjustment problems they face. A quantitative survey using the ‘International Student Problem Inventory’ was conducted on randomly selected international students from five major private higher education institutions in Malaysia. Data analysis revealed that the adjustment problems related to academic, religious, personal, and social adjustment problems were rated high, with financial, and language adjustment problems showing the least impact. Based on the findings, some recommendations are provided to help international students get adjusted to the Malaysian environment and achieve academic success.

Using household survey data to inform policy decisions regarding the delivery of evidence‐based parenting interventions

This study used household survey data on the prevalence of child, parent and family variables to establish potential targets for a population-level intervention to strengthen parenting skills in the community. The goals of the intervention include decreasing child conduct problems, increasing parental self-efficacy, use of positive parenting strategies, decreasing coercive parenting and increasing help-seeking, social support and participation in positive parenting programmes. A total of 4010 parents with a child under the age of 12 years completed a statewide telephone survey on parenting. One in three parents reported that their child had a behavioural or emotional problem in the previous 6 months. Furthermore, 9% of children aged 2-12 years meet criteria for oppositional defiant disorder. Parents who reported their child's behaviour to be difficult were more likely to perceive parenting as a negative experience (i.e. demanding, stressful and depressing). Parents with greatest difficulties were mothers without partners and who had low levels of confidence in their parenting roles. About 20% of parents reported being stressed and 5% reported being depressed in the 2 weeks prior to the survey. Parents with personal adjustment problems had lower levels of parenting confidence and their child was more difficult to manage. Only one in four parents had participated in a parent education programme. Implications for the setting of population-level goals and targets for strengthening parenting skills are discussed.

Personal Adjustment and Substance Abuse Problems in a Longitudinal Study of TANF Recipients and the Potential Need for Treatment

Objective: This study assessed the need over time for treatment of personal adjustment and substance abuse problems among chronic drug using and other recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Methods: Participants were administered the personal adjustment problems and substance abuse problems scales contained in the Multidimensional Addictions and Personality Profile (MAPP) at intake, one‐year, and two‐year interviews. Results: Most participants who were not chronic users had total scale scores that would indicate no recommended referral or a referral to outpatient treatment. Approximately one‐third of chronic users had scores that would indicate referral to inpatient treatment. Many chronic users had comorbid conditions but reported receiving no psychological or substance abuse treatment. Conclusions: Many TANF recipients may be experiencing coexisting personal and substance abuse related problems that are going untreated.

The relationship among psychological distress, employment, and drug use over time in a sample of female welfare recipients

AbstractIn this study we examined the relationship over time among work experience, psychological distress, and illegal substance use in a sample of 534 women receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Study participants were interviewed at intake and at 4‐month intervals for a period of 2 years. Each interview recorded the number of hours worked in the previous 4 months and the use of powder cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamines during the same period. To measure the extent of psychological distress, participants were also administered the personal adjustment problems subscales of the Multidimensional Addictions and Personality Profile (MAPP) at intake and at 1‐year intervals. A path model was analyzed to assess the temporal effects of employment, drug use, and emotional and psychological distress. Results suggest a cycle in which employment at one time period can reduce the likelihood of drug use in the following period, which, in turn, can lead to improvement in distress. This improvement can lead to an increase in the number of hours worked and further improvement in distress levels. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 31: 223–234, 2003.

Severity of Common Personal and Substance Abuse Related Problems in Low-Income Women

Many states are now moving toward enrolling Medicaid recipients into managed care programs. This presents both opportunities and challenges to providers treating individuals with personal adjustment and/or substance abuse problems. A comparative research design was used to describe two groups of low-income women in Houston, Texas: 133 chronic drug users and 381 non-drug users. Participants were administered the Multidimensional Addictions and Personality Profile (MAPP) in order to measure personal adjustment and substance abuse problems. The results show that while many of the nonusers in the sample may only require moderate outpatient services, a substantial proportion of drug-using women (31%) required inpatient hospitalization for personal adjustment or substance abuse problems. An additional 12% of drug users had substance abuse problems or personal adjustment problems sufficient for referral to in-hospital treatment with substantial structured aftercare. We endorse a multidimensional approach in providing services to low-income individuals within a managed care setting.

Illicit Drug Use by Women with Disabilities

As in the general female population, women with disabilities face a number of situations that encourage illicit drug use, such as low self-esteem, peer pressure, and family history of substance abuse. In addition, women with disabilities more frequently encounter problems of personal adjustment, unusual developmental experiences, easy access to prescription drugs, unemployment, and medical or health-related difficulties. Using a random sample of 900 women with disabilities, we conducted a study of the patterns of illicit drug use and risk factors relating to illicit drug use among women with various disabilities. Multiple regression analyses revealed that age, illicit drug use by a best friend, being a victim of substance-abusc-relatcd violence, and attitudes toward substance use by people with disabilities were significantly related to illicit drug use by the study population. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Structural Relations among Attachment Working Models of Parents, General and Specific Support Expectations, and Personal Adjustment in Late Adolescence

The present study evaluated a theoretical model proposing that generalized perceptions of social support and specific support expectations mediate the relations between attachment working models of parents and personal adjustment. Participants were 459 students who completed measures of attachment, social support, loneliness, and anxiety at the end of high school. Evaluation of the model by the EQS method indicated an acceptable level of fit, with the model explaining 51 percent of the variance of personal adjustment problems. General and specific expectations of social support were shown to be different constructs each mediating the relation between attachment and adjustment. These perceptions provided a unique contribution to explaining personal adjustment at the end of high school. The results are discussed in light of the relations between attachment, perceptions of social support, and social cognitive theories.

Childhood Circumstances, Adolescent Adjustment, and Suicide Attempts in a New Zealand Birth Cohort

To estimate the prevalence of attempted suicide during adolescence in a birth cohort of New Zealand children studied to the age of 16 years and to examine the relationships among adolescent problems of adjustment, psychopathology, childhood circumstances, and risks of adolescent suicide attempts. Attempted suicide, adolescent problems of adjustment, psychopathology, and childhood circumstances were assessed as part of a longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 954 New Zealand children studied at annual intervals to the age of 16 years. By 16 years, 3.0% of the sample (4.2% of girls and 1.9% of boys) reported having made a suicide attempt. There were strong associations between attempted suicide and rates of adolescent problem behaviors or psychopathology; teenagers having problems of adjustment or psychiatric disorders were up to 22 times more likely to attempt suicide. Risks of attempted suicide were also higher among children from disadvantaged or dysfunctional family backgrounds. A loglinear model fitted to the measures of attempted suicide, adolescent psychopathology, problems of adjustment, and childhood circumstances suggested the presence of a causal chain process in which childhood problems were significantly (p < .005) related to increased risks of later psychopathology and problems of personal adjustment which were, in turn, related to significantly (p < .05) increased rates of attempted suicide. A common pathway that leads to increased vulnerability to suicidal behavior involves early disadvantageous childhood and family circumstances, which lead to increased risks of adolescent psychopathology and problems of adjustment, which lead to increased risks and vulnerability to adolescent suicidal behaviors.

Desipramine Treatment for Cocaine Dependence

As a test of the efficacy of desipramine (DMI) in the treatment of cocaine dependence, 59 cocaine-dependent males, maintained on methadone for the treatment of opiate dependence, completed a 12-week, random-assignment, placebo-controlled trial of this medication. At the end of treatment, there were no overall differences between the placebo and DMI groups on a range of outcome measures, including urine toxicology tests. However, an interaction between psychiatric diagnosis and outcome was seen when the sample was divided into those with (51%) and those without (49%) antisocial personality disorder (ASP). Patients with ASP made few gains with either DMI or placebo. Those without ASP made a number of gains with DMI but not placebo, particularly in the areas of psychiatric symptoms, legal status, and family problems. DMI had a significant effect on the psychiatric symptoms and personal adjustment problems, but not the cocaine use, of non-antisocial cocaine abusers. The negative influence of ASP that has been seen in studies of psychosocial therapies for substance-use disorders may also apply to pharmacological therapies.

Intensive one-week orientation for foreign medical graduates entering an internal medicine residency program

The authors describe an intensive week-long introduction to hospital-based medical practice for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) entering an internal medicine residency program. The intensive orientation helps the FMGs function more effectively in the American hospital environment and reduces the frequency of personal and professional adjustment problems. The program is easily adaptable to other hospitals with large numbers of FMG residents.

Single Asian American Women as a Result of Divorce

This article reveals findings of an exploratory study of the psychological and social experiences following divorce among Asian American women. In depth interviews were conducted with 50 women who were divorced within the last five years residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. The article focuses on neglecting dimensions of the adjustment problems among divorced Asian American women by mvestigating the perceptions, thoughts, and feelings over a broad range of questions. The study findings suggest that the newly divorced are significantly more depressed. This increased depression is affected by greater economic problems, lower perceived standard of living and lesser availability of close confiding relationships. Despite its increases, divorce remains an event that brings economic and emotional hardship to these women: The greater depressive effect reflects their worsened life conditions. These divorced Asian American women face complex problems of emotional, personal and social adjustment requiring further attention by researchers.

Need for a Theoretical Justification of Humanistic Commitment Components in Behavior Therapy

Although behavior therapies are putatively based on traditional learning paradigms, standard clinical practice with outpatient clients presenting problems of personal adjustment routinely requires a voluntary commitment to collaboration (CTC) with the therapist (Harcum, Burijon, & Watson, 1988). Nevertheless, in the various summaries of the theoretical justification, even for cognitive behavior therapy, the mainstream literature generally omits this presumably necessary humanistic component and includes only acceptable principles from traditional learning paradigms. Development of a comprehensive theory of behavior therapy is prevented by this failure to acknowledge the need for a theoretical justification of CTC. This avoidance is attributed to a fear of being considered unscientifiC., fostered by traditional graduate training in psychology.

The Psychological and Social Experience of Suicide Survivors

This article discusses findings of an exploratory study of the psychological and social experience of suicide survivors. Detailed interviews were conducted with twenty-four people who had lost loved ones to suicide within the last five years. The study focuses on neglected dimensions of the adjustment problems of survivors by investigating the perceptions, thoughts, and feelings of survivors themselves over a broad range of questions. Major areas of concern are: 1) survivors' responses to the suicide, specifically patterns of explanation and blaming; 2) the impasse in interpersonal relations; 3) the dynamics of stigma, normlessness, and fear in survivors' contacts with others; and 4) negative and positive personal changes occurring in survivors as a result of their loss. Our findings suggest that survivors face complex problems of emotional, personal, and social adjustment requiring further attention by researchers and helping professionals.

Mothers' and fathers' perceptions of child deviance: Roles of parent and child behaviors and parent adjustment.

The mothers (n = 120) and fathers (n = 85) of children with conduct problems (ages = 3-8 years) completed two measures of child adjustment (Child Behavior Checklist, Eybeig Child Behavior Inventory), three personal adjustment measures (Beck Depression Inventory, Marital Adjustment Test, Parenting Stress Index), and a Life Experience Survey and were observed at home interacting with their children. In addition, teachers (n = 107) completed the Behar Preschool Questionnaire. Fathers' perceptions of their children's behaviors were significantly correlated with teachers' ratings, but mothers' ratings were not. Correlations showed that mothers who were depressed or stressed due to marital problems perceived more child deviant behaviors and interacted with their children with more commands and criticisms. Fathers' perceptions and behaviors were relatively unaffected by personal adjustment measures. Differences in these perceptions and behaviors between mothers and fathers are discussed. Before young children with behavior problems can receive treatment, they must be identified by at least one of their parents as having severe enough problems to warrant professional attention. However, a number of researchers (Christensen, Phillips, Glascow, & Johnson, 1983; Forehand, Wells, McMahon, Griest, & Rogers, 1982; Rickard, Forehand, Wells, Griest, & McMahon, 1981) have cautioned clinicians against overreliance on mothers' perceptions of their children's deviant behaviors and have suggested that mothers may inaccurately label their children as deviant due to their own personal adjustment problems, including depression, anxiety, and marital dissatisfaction. Moreover, observational research has suggested that the mothers of clinic-referred children who are distressed either due to depression or marital dissatisfaction may exhibit more commands and may be more negative or hostile in their interactions with their children than nondistressed mothers (Forehand, Lautenschlager, Faust, & Graziano, 1986; Patterson, 1980). Research has also suggested that the clinic-referred children of distressed mothers are much less deviant than the clinicreferred children of nondistressed mothers (Rickard et al.,