Impact of motivational interviewing on outcomes of an adolescent obesity treatment: results from the MI Values randomized controlled pilot trial.

The aim of this study is to examine outcomes from MI Values, a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention implemented adjunctive to obesity treatment. Adolescents (n = 99; 73% African American; 74% female; mean body mass index [BMI] percentile = 98.9 ± 1.2) were randomized to receive two MI sessions or education control. All adolescents participated in structured behavioural weight management treatment. Baseline, 3- and 6-month assessments of anthropometrics, dietary intake and physical activity were obtained. Both groups had significant reductions in BMI z-scores and energy intake and increased physical activity at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). MI participants reported greater reductions in 3-month energy intake compared with controls. Participation in MI is associated with reduction in energy intake, consistent with better adherence to dietitian visits previously reported from MI Values. MI might be an effective adjunct to adolescent obesity treatment; future research is needed to determine if motivational interviewing can enhance BMI outcomes, via greater adherence to behavioural intervention.

Publishing HIV/AIDS behavioural science reports: An author's guide.

The purpose of this paper is to report on characteristics of journals that publish manuscripts in the HIV/AIDS behavioural science realm, with the goal of providing assistance to authors seeking to disseminate their work in the most appropriate outlet. Fifty journals who publish behavioural research on HIV/AIDS in English were identified through library and electronic searches. Although ten of the journals focused specifically on HIV/AIDS, the majority of journals are in related fields, including health psychology/behavioural medicine, sexual behaviour, substance abuse, public health/prevention or general medicine. Acceptance rates ranged from 8- 89% with a mean acceptance rate of 39%. Reported review times ranged from 1-12 months with three months the mode, while publication lag following acceptance averages six months. Acceptance rates were related to impact factors, with more selective journals evidencing higher impact factors. The variety of publication outlets available to authors of HIV/AIDS behavioral science studies creates ample opportunity for dissemination, as well as challenge for readers in discerning the quality of published work.

Psychopathology in substance abusing women reporting childhood sexual abuse.

This study compared MMPI-2 profiles and evaluated the ability of the MMPI-2 and its two new post-traumatic stress scales (PK and PS) to discriminate women in outpatient substance abuse treatment reporting positive (n = 24) and negative (n = 69) child sexual abuse histories. T-tests revealed significantly higher mean scores for the sexual abuse group for the following scales: F, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8. A discriminant analysis yielded a linear function of L, F, 3, 5, 8, and PK that correctly categorized 75% with positive histories and 77% with negative histories. The optimal cutoff PK score was 17, which correctly classified 75% and 46% of those reporting positive and negative abuse histories, respectively. These findings support early identification of abuse survivors among substance abusing women and suggests that the MMPI-2 may be useful in patient-treatment matching.

Predictors of in-treatment relapse in perinatal substance abusers and impact on treatment retention: a prospective study.

This prospective study investigated in-treatment relapse in a sample of perinatal substance abusers in intensive outpatient treatment. Sixty-four female first-time admissions to a perinatal treatment program completed comprehensive psychological and psychosocial assessment before beginning treatment. Relapse was detected by urine toxicology screening and self-report. A regression analysis resulted in variable reduction, then survival analysis identified the impact of in-treatment relapse and other predictors on treatment length. Fifty-five percent of the subjects were classified as relapsers. Two risk factors for and six protective factors from in-treatment relapse were identified. The survival curves for relapsers and nonrelapsers did not differ until covariates were considered. Subjects with more severe consequences of drug use and less social exposure to drug use during treatment tended not to relapse during treatment, perhaps in order to prevent deterioration such as loss of children or incarceration. Relapse alone did not result in fewer treatment days. Few addiction characteristics were related to either in-treatment relapse or length of treatment. Rather, personality and demographic variables were more salient in both the regression and survival models. Treatment staff may need to reconsider their views of the meaning of relapse and should develop enhanced engagement and retention strategies for women at greater risk of relapse.