Review Of Outcome Research Research Articles

Editorial: Special Issue: Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences 2022

Editorial: Special Issue: Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences 2022

Enhancing group self- and career construction counselling: A review of outcome research

This article reviews the outcomes of five purposely selected group career construction research projects conducted in a developing country context. Thematic data analysis was done on the results of these projects to identify qualitatively the strengths and areas for development (weaknesses) of the approach followed in these projects. The findings demonstrated the value of career constructing in contexts that differed substantially from the context in which the career construction counselling was originally developed. Overall, the quantitative findings in regard to career adaptability revealed that the women benefited more from the intervention than the men. The findings in regard to career decision-making difficulties also uncovered gender differences. The qualitative outcomes revealed that the participants’ psychological self as an autobiographical author benefited more from the intervention than either the social actor or the motivated agent. Future research should focus on the application of group career construction counselling with larger groups, using instruments based on career construction counselling theory developed locally. Moreover, given current developments (including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on employment), special emphasis should be placed on research among the unemployed.
 Keywords: psychological self, integrative group career construction, Global South, unemployment

Editorial message from Guest Editor

Editorial message from Guest Editor

Enhancing group self- and career construction counselling: A review of outcome research

This article reviews the outcomes of five purposely selected group career construction research projects conducted in a developing country context. Thematic data analysis was done on the results of these projects to identify qualitatively the strengths and areas for development (weaknesses) of the approach followed in these projects. The findings demonstrated the value of career constructing in contexts that differed substantially from the context in which the career construction counselling was originally developed. Overall, the quantitative findings in regard to career adaptability revealed that the women benefited more from the intervention than the men. The findings in regard to career decision-making difficulties also uncovered gender differences. The qualitative outcomes revealed that the participants’ psychological self as an autobiographical author benefited more from the intervention than either the social actor or the motivated agent. Future research should focus on the application of group career construction counselling with larger groups, using instruments based on career construction counselling theory developed locally. Moreover, given current developments (including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on employment), special emphasis should be placed on research among the unemployed.
 Keywords: psychological self, integrative group career construction, Global South, unemployment

Health, functioning, and participation of adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy: A review of outcomes research

With medical advances, more individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) syndromes who reside in developed countries are surviving to adolescence and adulthood. However, there continues to be a paucity of research examining long-term health, functional activities, and participatory outcomes over their life-course. This article reviews the current literature assessing adult outcomes for individuals with CP within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF), Disability, and Health model of enablement. Preliminary data over the last decade indicate that among adults with cerebral palsy without intellectual disability, 60-80% completed high school, 14-25% completed college, up to 61% were living independently in the community, 25-55% were competitively employed, and 14-28% were involved in long term relationships with partners or had established families. These outcomes occurred with biomedical advances in the management of spasticity, deformity, and medical co-morbidities, as well as with concurrent policy initiatives to increase access to a continuum of habilitative and education services. Although we have incomplete population data to inform comprehensive life-course planning, there are opportunities to create clinical and translational community networks with improved measures of functioning and participation that can better inform us about the factors influencing lifespan development of people with CP.

Review of outcome research on marital and family therapy in treatment for alcoholism.

This review of controlled studies of marital and family therapy (MFT) in alcoholism treatment updates the earlier review by O'Farrell and Fals-Stewart (2003). We conclude that, when the alcoholic is unwilling to seek help, MFT is effective in helping the family cope better and motivating alcoholics to enter treatment. Specifically, both Al-Anon facilitation and referral and spouse coping skills training (based on new findings) help family members cope better, and CRAFT promotes treatment entry and was successfully transported to a community clinic in a new study. Once the alcoholic enters treatment, MFT, particularly behavioral couples therapy (BCT), is clearly more effective than individual treatment at increasing abstinence and improving relationship functioning. New BCT studies showed efficacy with women alcoholics and with gay and lesbian alcoholics, and BCT was successfully transported to a community clinic, a brief BCT version was tested, and BCT was adapted for family members other than spouses. Future studies should evaluate the following: MFT with couples where both members have a current alcohol problem and with minority patients, mechanisms of change, transportability of evidence-based MFT approaches to clinical practice settings, and replication of MFT outcomes of reduced partner violence and improved child functioning.

The Evolution of Family Process: Contexts and Transformations1,2

The Evolution of Family Process: Contexts and Transformations1,2

Children With Cochlear Implants and Complex Needs: A Review of Outcome Research and Psychological Practice

In recent years, the number of children receiving cochlear implants who have significant disabilities in addition to their deafness has increased substantially. However, in comparison with the extensive literature on speech, language, and communication outcomes following pediatric implantation in children without complex needs, the available literature for this special group of children is relatively sparse. This article reviews the available research on outcomes, grouping studies according to the nature of the additional disabilities and specific etiologies of deafness. The methodological problems relating to outcome research in this field are outlined, followed by some tentative conclusions drawn from the literature base while bearing these problems in mind. The remainder of the article focuses on the challenges for clinical practice, from a psychological perspective, of implanting deaf children with complex needs. Two groups of children are considered, those whose additional disabilities have been identified prior to implantation and those whose difficulties become apparent at some point afterward, sometimes many years later. A case example describing the psychological assessment of a deaf-blind child being considered for implantation is presented.

Family Foster Care: Cross-National Research Perspectives

This selective review of outcome research on family foster care services in various Western countries highlights the complexities of service delivery in this practice arena. It also suggests directions for further study, to improve the life chances for young people coming to the attention of the child welfare system. Especially needed is comparative cross-national research on the effectiveness of services for vulnerable groups in the child welfare population. Such research could contribute to the process of enhancing policies and practices in each country.

Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment: Review of Outcomes Research

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States each year. Screening is effective in reducing colorectal cancer mortality; however, compliance with screening is poor, and factors associated with its compliance are poorly understood. The outcomes of treatment of colorectal cancer (surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy) may have profound effects on quality of life (QOL). Furthermore, colorectal cancer screening and treatment may be expensive, and the costs are important from a policy perspective. This review examines patient-centered outcomes research related to colorectal cancer screening and treatment and outlines the work that has been done in several areas, including patient preferences, QOL, and economic analysis. The literature on the health outcomes associated with colorectal cancer screening and treatment was reviewed. A MEDLINE search of English language articles published from January 1, 1990 through February 2001, was conducted and was supplemented by a review of references of obtained articles. Criteria for study inclusion were identified a priori. A standardized data abstraction form was developed. Summary statistical analyses were performed on the results. Six hundred eighty-six articles were selected for review. In total, 530 articles were excluded because they either did not include patient-centered outcomes, were duplicate articles, or could not be obtained. There were 156 articles included in the analysis; 67 addressed screening, 18 examined surveillance of high-risk groups, 22 concerned treatment of local disease, 10 examined treatment of local and metastatic disease, and 19 considered treatment of metastatic disease only. One study examined end-of-life care. In 19 studies, the phase of care was unspecified. Standardized, disease-specific QOL instruments should be applied in clinical trials so that the results may be compared across different types of interventions. Valid and reliable methods that accurately capture patient preferences regarding screening and treatment should be developed.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Premarital Prevention Programs: A Meta‐Analytic Review of Outcome Research

We present a comprehensive, meta‐analytic review and critical evaluation of outcome research pertaining to the effectiveness of premarital prevention programs. Results revealed that the mean effect size for premarital programs was .80, which means that the average person who participated in a premarital prevention program was significantly better off afterwards than 79% of people who did not participate. Stated differently, the average participant in a premarital program tends to experience about a 30% increase in measures of outcome success. Our findings suggest that premarital prevention programs are generally effective in producing immediate and short‐term gains in interpersonal skills and overall relationship quality and that these improvements are significantly better than nonintervention couples in these areas. However, because of a lack of extended follow‐up research, conclusions about long‐term effectiveness remain elusive. We propose implications for future research, education, and policy.

Work hardening: past, present, and future--the work programs special interest section national work-hardening outcome study.

A review of outcome research conducted between 1982 and 1992 revealed return-to-work rates for industrial rehabilitation programs that ranged from 50% to 88%. Variations in outcome statistics appeared to reflect discrepancies in factors such as type of research design, initial characteristics of the client sample, and clients excluded from the study group. A work-hardening outcome study involving 36 programs was conducted by the Work Programs Special Interest Section to address questions left unanswered by existing studies regarding (a) rates of program nonacceptance or noncompletion, (b) basic client characteristics and outcome, (c) length of disability and outcome, (d) breakdown of client disposition after program completion, and (e) program characteristics and return to work. Findings included the following: (a) 11.5% of clients were not accepted into work hardening and 24.6% did not complete the program; (b) outcome was not related to client age, gender, area of injury, or physical demand level of job before injury; (c) as duration of disability increased, return to work decreased significantly; (d) at discharge, 48.2% of clients returned to the usual and customary job and 30.5% to alternate or modified work, whereas 13.6% were referred to a vocational counselor; and (e) there was no relationship between number of visits or number of professionals seen and return to work. The authors suggest a need for uniform standards in collection of outcome data to establish a basis for comparison of efficacy among programs. Recommendations include tracking comparison or control groups, grouping clients in terms of length of disability, computing success rate on the basis of number of clients who completed their program, using relevant subcategories when reporting return to work, and consistency of the postdischarge interval for follow-up.

Counseling with Older Persons: A Review of Outcome Research

Counseling with Older Persons: A Review of Outcome Research

Crisis intervention: A review of outcome research.

Crisis intervention: A review of outcome research.

Crisis intervention: A review of outcome research.

Crisis intervention studies conducted in suicide prevention/crisis intervention programs, in psychiatric settings, and with surgical patients are critically evaluated. In the first area the impracticality of suicide as an outcome measure and the need for shifting evaluation emphasis from crisis worker performance to client behavior change measures is stressed. Also, the virtual impossibility of demonstrating overall program impact on the community and the need for developing internal program evaluation procedures is noted. Studies in psychiatric settings suffer from considerable methodological shortcomings that prohibit definitive conclusions; studies operationally specifying treatment components are greatly needed here. Studies with surgery patients indicate the necessity for developing intervention techniques most appropriate for individuals differing in their typical manner of dealing with stress. In all settings, outcome measures should be appropriate to the situation and logically related to the goals of intervention. In the two decades following Eysenck's (1952) classic survey calling into question the effectiveness of the traditional psychotherapies, the growth in output of research studies of therapeutic process and outcome has been phenomenal (Bergin, 1971; Marsden, 1971). However, crisis intervention, a therapeutic technique that is receiving increasing use, as indicated by the recent proliferation of suicide prevention/crisis intervention centers and telephone hot lines, has gone largely uninvestigated until recent years. This is probably due to the fact that as a clinical technique it does not fall under the rubric of traditional psychotherapy, and since initial attempts at formulations of crisis theory and delineation of technique have not been developed until recently (Aguilera & Messick, 1974; Caplan, 1964; Lieb, Lipsitch, & Slaby, 1973; McGee, 1974; Schulberg & Sheldon, 1968; Taplin, 1971).

The Effects and Effectiveness of Marital Therapy A Review of Outcome Research

The literature on outcome research in marital therapy is reviewed. Issues considered include the nature of outcome criteria, the need to establish a base line against which to measure improvement, and therapeutic effectiveness as a function of treatment type and time‐in‐therapy. The overall improvement rate across a heterogeneous collection of patients, therapists, and treatment modalities was 66 per cent, suggesting, conservatively, at least a moderately positive therapeutic effect in light of the judgment that “spontaneous” rates appear to be much lower in marital than in individual therapy. Evidence of deterioration in marital therapy also was discovered. No support was found for the contention that co‐therapy is more effective than treatment of the couple by a single therapist. The needs of future research in the outcome of marital therapy are discussed and possible fruitful directions for such investigations suggested.