Teaching end-of-life decision-making "Newlywed style".

Teaching strategies for topics related to death and dying are often journaling, reflection, and group discussions. This study describes an innovative demonstration in which pairs of students made hypothetical medical decisions using a technique similar to the one used on the American game show, "The Newlywed Game." One hundred students at a private mid-Atlantic University participated in a study evaluating the impact of this demonstration on raising students' awareness of issues surrounding medical decision-making and the need to clearly communicate one's desires to others. This active demonstration helps students learn about difficult issues in a meaningful way.

Characteristics of DUI recidivists: a 12-year follow-up study of first time DUI offenders.

77 individuals convicted of a drinking and driving (DUI) offense were screened for recidivism approximately 12 years following their first offense. At the time of the initial DUI conviction, participants were administered the MAST and the MMPI-2. Participants' drinking history and driving history and arrest at the time of screening and at a 12-year follow-up were also reviewed. The results indicate that, among DUI recidivists, on average 6 years elapsed between their first and second DUI offenses. Driving history prior to the first DUI offense was predictive of later recidivism. The only significant finding from the MAST and MMPI results was that repeat offenders tended to have higher scores on the L and K validity scales of the MMPI. These results are discussed in the context of Jessor's Problem-Behavior Theory and as well their clinical implications for screening and treatment decisions involving first time DUI offenders.

Comparison of DWI offenders with non-DWI individuals on the MMPI-2 and the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test.

Two groups of driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) offenders with either one DWI offense or with repeat offenses were compared to a group of nonoffenders using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) and the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). Demographic information was also collected regarding their prior legal history, family history, and blood alcohol level at the time of the DWI arrest. The results indicated both DWI groups had scored significantly higher than the comparison group on the K, Psychopathic Deviate (Pd) Scale, Over-Controlled Hostility (O-H) Scale, and MacAndrews Alcoholism Scale-Revised (MAC-R). The first offenders and multiple offenders did not differ significantly from one another. On the MAST, both DWI offender groups scored significantly higher than the nonoffenders. This time, however, the multiple offenders scored significantly higher than the first-offender group. Unexpectedly, the first offenders and multiple offenders did not differ with regards to blood alcohol level at the time of arrest. There were no significant differences noted with regard to prior legal history or family history of alcoholism for all three groups. These results are discussed with regard to assessment implications.

How is death and dying addressed in introductory psychology textbooks?

Although psychologists have conducted a great deal of research on death and dying, little is known about how topics related to death and dying are introduced in psychology courses. We analyzed the amount and breadth of coverage given to topics related to death and dying in 28 introductory psychology textbooks published between 1995 and 2000. We coded for number of words included, the types of topics discussed, and authors cited. All textbooks included some information about death and dying, most frequently, suicide. Little consistency was found in references cited. We recommend that future textbooks include information to help students explore their own death attitudes, as well as providing more theory and empirical research findings on aspects of death and dying.