Group psychotherapy with girls in early adolescence: Then and now

This paper addresses the intensification of problems which girls in puberty and early adolescence face today and identifies some of the changes in the practice of group psychotherapy for prevention and treatment which have developed to address these problems. While many therapy groups are run on psychodynamic, activity or activity interview methods with girls experiencing a variety of problems, there are more problem specific groups run today using a range of theoretical approaches and prevention groups particularly for habit disorders employ not only informational techniques but also psychosocial skill development and self esteem enhancement.     

Is There Significant Correlation between Self‐Reported Low Back Pain Visual Analogue Scores and Low Back Pain Scores Determined by Pressure Pain Induction Matching?

The objective of this study was to determine whether self‐reported visual analogue scale (VAS) low back pain (LBP) scores are valid against matched psychophysically induced pressure pain scores. Two hundred thirty‐six chronic LBP patients (some with neck pain) reported their LBP and neck pain scores on a VAS immediately before psychophysical pressure pain induction used to determine pain threshold (PTHRE), pain tolerance (PTOL), and a psychophysical pressure pain score which matched (PMAT) their current LBP. Pearson Product‐Moment correlation coefficients were calculated between reported VAS neck scores, reported VAS LBP scores, and the psychophysically determined LBP PMAT scores. The PMAT scores were calculated utilizing PTOL only and both PTOL and PTHRE. There was a significant correlation between the LBP PMAT scores and the reported LBP VAS scores for both types of psychophysical LBP PMAT score calculations; however, there were insignificant correlations between the LBP PMAT scores and reported neck VAS scores. Chronic LBP patients can match their self‐reported VAS LBP scores to psychophysically determined LBP PMAT scores. As such, self‐reported VAS chronic LBP scores appear to be valid against one type of psychophysical measurement.     

From counselor skill to decreased marijuana use: Does change talk matter?

Client language about change, or change talk, is hypothesized to mediate the relationship between counselor fidelity in motivational interviewing (MI) and drug use outcomes. To investigate this causal chain, this study used data from an MI booster delivered to alternative high school students immediately after a universal classroom-based drug abuse prevention program. One hundred and seventy audio-recorded MI sessions about substance use were coded using the motivational interviewing skill code 2.5. Structural equation modeling showed that percentage of change talk on the part of the client mediated three of the four relationships between MI quality indicators and marijuana outcomes, while percentage of reflections of change talk showed a main effect of counselor skill on marijuana outcomes. Findings support change talk as an active ingredient of MI and provide new empirical support for the micro-skills of MI.     

Is Chronic Pain Associated With Somatization/Hypochondriasis? An Evidence‐Based Structured Review

Study Design: This is an evidence‐based structured review. Objectives: The objectives of this review were to answer the following questions: (1) Are somatization/hypochondriasis associated with chronic pain? (2) Is the degree of somatization/hypochondriasis related to pain levels? (3) Does pain treatment improve somatization/hypochondriasis? (4) Are some pain diagnoses differentially associated with somatization/hypochondriasis? Methods: Fifty‐seven studies which fulfilled inclusion criteria and had high quality scores were sorted by the above‐mentioned objectives. Agency for health care policy and research guidelines were utilized to type and characterize the strength/consistency of the study evidence within each objective. Results: Somatization and hypochondriasis were both consistently associated with chronic pain (consistency ratings B and A, respectively). Study evidence indicated a correlation between pain intensity and presence of somatization and hypochondriasis (consistency rating A and B, respectively). Pain treatment improved somatization and hypochondriasis (consistency rating B and A, respectively). Some chronic pain diagnostic groups somatized more (consistency rating B). Conclusions: Somatization is commonly associated with chronic pain and may relate to pain levels.