Relaxation and assertive training as automated adjunct behaviour therapy administered in a self-control orientation with psychiatric patients.

The present study evaluated the efficacy of two automated behavioural treatment modalities used as a self-control strategy (deep muscle relaxation and assertive training) as compared to two control groups (attention/placebo and no behavioural treatment) in a psychiatric out-patient population. Results indicate that, as compared to the other groups, the relaxation group achieved a clinically substantial and statistically significant change. Furthermore, the efficacy of automated relaxation used as a self-control strategy is sufficient to warrant its introduction as an adjunct psychiatric therapy in out-patient psychiatric settings. More research is needed before automated assertive training as a self-control strategy can be introduced to the clinic as an adjunct therapy.

Mediating factors in the modification of smoking behavior.

This study was designed to investigate two personality variables that may influence the effectiveness of covert sensitization in reducing smoking behavior. These are GSR reactivity to stressors and GSR adaptation to repeated stressors. It was predicted that both high reactivity and nonadaptivity to stressors would facilitate covert sensitization therapy. Fifty-nine subjects underwent treatment and were followed up at 3, 6 and 12 week intervals. Subjects were distributed among four groups: A. High reactors, nonadaptive (15); B. High reactors, adaptive (14); C. Low reactors, nonadaptive (9); D. Low reactors, adaptive (21). The results demonstrate that the measure of reactivity to stressors is significantly related to the success of the treatment, but the relevance of the measure of adaptivity factor was not demonstrated.

Some personality characteristics of soldiers exposed to extreme war stress: a follow-up study of post-hospital adjustment.

A group of 17 Israeli soldier psychiatric casualties of the Yom Kippur war were readministered the MMPI and intensively interviewed a year after they had been discharged from a psychiatric ward. A comparison between the hospitalization and post-hospitalization MMPI profiles yielded no significant difference on any of the scales. Thus, the degree of emotional distress experienced by these veterans continues to be extraordinarily high and is characterized by extreme depression, anxiety and extensive physical complaints. The interview reports are completely consistent with the MMPI data. These data emphasize the prolonged effect of combat stress and highlight the special problems that these men face in re-entering their social community.

Humorous stimuli and depression: an examination of Beck's premise.

Investigated the premise that an ancillary characteristic of depression is a diminished humor response (N = 40). A 2 X 2 X 2 (High-Low Beck Depression Inventory Scores X Aggressive-Non-aggressive Cartoon X Self-Other Humor Target) design was used. Results indicated that there were no differences between those with higher and lower scores on the Beck in ratings of the cartoons in terms of enjoyment, funniness, or laughter. Additional analyses that used the Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist revealed relationships between the affects of anxiety, hostility, and depression, and cartoon type and target. The results raise questions, too, as to the relationship of responses to humorous stimuli and depression.

The memory enhancing effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide are dependent on an intact stria terminalis.

Cholecystokinin is a gastrointestinal peptide which is released from the duodenum during eating. Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) has been found to improve retention when administered intraperitoneally in intact mice but not in vagotomized mice. This suggested that CCK-8 improves retention by stimulating vagal afferents to the nucleus of the solitary tract in the brainstem. In this study, we tested whether nerve fibers in the stria terminalis which project from the NTS to the amygdala need to be intact for CCK-8 to enhance retention. Three groups of mice were used: nonoperated, bilateral cortical control lesioned, and bilateral stria terminalis lesioned. The lesions were performed 1 week prior to footshock avoidance training in a T-maze. Saline, CCK-8 (0.5 microgram/kg, ip), epinephrine (100 micrograms/kg, sc), or arecoline (1.5 mg/kg, sc) were administered immediately after training. Retention was tested 1 week later. Neither bilateral stria terminalis lesions nor cortical control lesions significantly altered acquisition of the task compared to the nonoperated group. Whether the groups received a saline injection after training or received no injection did not affect retention test performance. CCK-8 and epinephrine enhanced retention in the mice with cortical lesions but not in mice with stria terminalis lesions. Arecoline enhanced retention in both groups. Possible pathways and neurotransmitters mediating the effect are discussed.