This study compared differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) and noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) in the reduction of self-injurious behavior in three adult females with severe or profound mental retardation. Both procedures were highly effective in reducing self-injury, with NCR less limited than DRO. (Author/DB)

Study used self-report questionnaire data from high school students to determine the relation between adolescents' perception of family characteristics and adolescent substance use patterns. Results indicate adolescents' perception of maternal substance use, family hardiness, and age of the adolescent were significant predictors of substance use.…

Attempts to disentangle the interrelations between hopelessness, loneliness, and suicidal ideation by comparing two models of their relationships among 234 undergraduates, using a series of multiple regression/correlation equations. Discusses implications of findings for the nomological status of hopelessness and loneliness as correlates of…

Presents a review of empirical studies on the classification of attempted suicide over the period 1963-93. Investigated whether there is research evidence for a valid classification of homogeneous subgroups of suicide attempts. Found two clearly distinguished subgroups (characterized by mild and severe suicide attempts) which constitute the…

A functional analysis was performed on a five-year-old nonverbal Autistic female with severe self-injurious behaviors. The self-injurious behaviors (hand-to-head, hand-to-jaw, hand-to-face) and loud vocalizations were targeted. Two types of sessions, enriched environment and instructor controlled preferred stimuli, were alternated throughout the…

Problem behavior can interfere with learning, the development of appropriate skills, and socialization in persons with developmental disabilities. In severe cases, problem behavior could result in life-threatening injury. For one 21-month-old participant diagnosed with autism engaging in severe problem behavior for whom reinforcement-based…

This case study examines a 13 year old adolescent male who engages in severe aggression, self- injurious and impulsive behaviors. He was treated with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for thirteen months. DBT had limited success in reducing his problem behaviors. He was treated with Mode Deactivation Therapy (MDT) for four months and his problem…

The "National Index of Violence and Harm" (NIVAH) tracks levels of violence and harm in the United States and identifies trends over the study period 1995-2003. NIVAH is comprised of nineteen variables in the areas of interpersonal, intrapersonal, institutional and structural violence and harm as experienced by people in the U.S. Two…

An institution-wide program for residents impaired by alcohol, drugs, or emotional problems at the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals is described. The goal of the program was to help impaired house staff to continue their training in a nonpunitive environment. (Author/MLW)

Examined the influence of family structure on substance abuse among 2,057 Ontario adolescent students. Focused on influence of various family structures on five substance use and delinquency outcomes. Results showed that the most influential familial interaction factor is the amount of time spent with family. (LSR)

Study of 176 adolescent drug abusers found that greater psychopathology at pretreatment was not found to be related to less improvement in drug treatment. For the male subsample, greater paranoid trends predicted to less reduction in substance use/abuse. Borderline psychotic symptomatology predicted to more improvement. (RJM)

Method of treatment of self-injurious behaviors for three severely retarded students (ages six-seven) was selected by matching one of three hypotheses (self-stimulation, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement) to a judgment concerning cause. Results supported the argument that treatment programs should be based on a functional analysis of…

The function of self-injurious behavior (SIB) by an adult with severe mental retardation was analyzed via descriptive and experimental analysis methodologies. Results indicated that SIB occurred more often when the participant was presented with nonpreferred novel activities. Intervention resulted in the use of negation to terminate the…

A reevaluation of data from Berkman and Meyer (1988), a study supporting the effectiveness of positive-oriented programing approaches with persons with mental retardation, suggests that medication, especially the introduction of Thorazine (with subsequent increases of dosage), may have been related to reductions in the client's self-injurious…

Examined relationship between suicidal behavior and homosexuality in adolescence in an unselected, matched sample. Found no evidence that suicide is a common characteristic of gay youth, or that when suicide does occur among gay teenagers, that it is a direct consequence of stigmatization or lack of support. (JBJ)