Young adult women who report childhood intrafamilial sexual abuse: subsequent adjustment.

Young adult women who had experienced incest and a matched comparison group were examined for differences in interpersonal functioning, sexual functioning, self-esteem, and emotional adjustment. Those reporting incest reported significantly poorer general social adjustment, especially in dating relationships. They had significantly lower levels of sexual satisfaction, lower self-esteem, and distorted body images, as well as greater depression and lower positive affect. These characteristics may be related not only to the incest experience but to the general family environment in which incest occurred, as significant differences in family characteristics were also observed.

Smoking cessation in chronically ill medical patients.

Eight male smokers with chronic pulmonary and/or cardiac disease participated in a 9-week treatment program that consisted of gradual nicotine withdrawal, self-management techniques, and relapse prevention strategies. At 1-year follow-up, 50% remained abstinent, while those who relapsed were smoking substantially less than prior to treatment. Reductions in CO and thiocyanate levels were both statistically significant and clinically meaningful. Nonspecific factors of group influence and support, as well as weekly feedback of CO levels, were judged as particularly important components of treatment. The availability of non-aversive strategies for smoking cessation in persons with chronic illness is important. These promising though preliminary findings indicate the need for additional applications of multi-component behavioral approaches with this population.