Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2014
To investigate recovery of medical decision-making capacity (MDC) over 6 months in persons with t... more To investigate recovery of medical decision-making capacity (MDC) over 6 months in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) stratified by injury severity. Longitudinal study comparing controls and patients with TBI 1 month after injury (t1) and 6 months after injury (t2). Inpatient TBI rehabilitation unit and outpatient neurology department. Participants (N=151) consisted of control subjects (n=60) and patients with TBI (n=91) stratified by injury severity: mild TBI (mTBI; n=27), complicated mild TBI (cmTBI; n=20), and moderate/severe TBI (msevTBI; n=44). Not applicable. We used the Capacity to Consent to Treatment Instrument to evaluate MDC performance on 5 consent standards (expressing choice, reasonable choice, appreciation, reasoning, and understanding). We also assigned capacity impairment ratings on the consent standards to each participant with TBI using cut scores referenced to control performance. Control performance was stable across time on the consent standards. Patient...
Objective-To identify cognitive predictors of medical decision-making capacity (MDC) in participa... more Objective-To identify cognitive predictors of medical decision-making capacity (MDC) in participants with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at time of acute injury (baseline) and at six-month follow-up.
Objective: Tested the relations of social problem-solving abilities to distress, depression, and ... more Objective: Tested the relations of social problem-solving abilities to distress, depression, and well-being and impairment reported by persons participating in a low vision rehabilitation program. Study Design: Correlational and multiple regression analyses. Setting: Outpatient low vision rehabilitation clinic. Participants: 25 men (M ϭ 73.88 years old, SD ϭ 11.94 years) and 29 women (M ϭ 68.79 years old, SD ϭ 17.25 years) participating in a comprehensive admitting examination. Main Outcome Measures: Emotional distress specific to the condition, depressive behavior, satisfaction with life, and functional ability. Results: A negative problem orientation significantly predicted depression and emotional distress; rational problem-solving skills predicted life satisfaction. Conclusions: A negative problem orientation toward problem solving predicts poor emotional adjustment reported by persons with low vision, and proactive problem-solving skills appear to promote optimal adjustment.
... Cynthia Owsley, Gerald McGwin, Jr., Kay Scilley, Laura E. Dreer, Carolyn R. Bray, and John O.... more ... Cynthia Owsley, Gerald McGwin, Jr., Kay Scilley, Laura E. Dreer, Carolyn R. Bray, and John O.Mason III, Department of Ophthalmology ... psychoeducational interventions where problem-solv-ing strategies (D'Zurilla & Nezu, 1999; Nezu, 2004; Nezu, Nezu, & Perri, 1989) are ...
To determine the percentage of family caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) with pr... more To determine the percentage of family caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) with probable depression and to test the hypothesis that dysfunctional problem-solving abilities would be significantly predictive of risk status after taking into account important demographic characteristics and caregiver health. Design: Correlational and logistic regression analyses of data collected in a crosssectional design. Participants: Eighteen men and 103 women caregivers (mean age of caregivers ϭ 45.66 years, SD ϭ 12.88) of individuals with SCI. Main Outcome Measure: The Inventory to Diagnose Depression. Results: Nineteen caregivers (15.7%) met criteria on the Inventory to Diagnose Depression for a major depressive disorder. A dysfunctional problem-solving style was significantly predictive of caregiver depression, regardless of the severity of physical impairment of the care recipient or the physical health of the caregiver and caregiver demographic variables. Conclusions: The percentage of caregivers with probable depressive disorder may parallel that observed among persons with SCI, using a more conservative self-report measure designed to assess symptoms associated with a depressive syndrome. Family caregivers with a dysfunctional problem-solving style and assisting individuals with more severe injuries may have probable depression.
Twelve married couples court-ordered to attend a violence reduction treatment program completed s... more Twelve married couples court-ordered to attend a violence reduction treatment program completed self-report measures of anger, social problem-solving skills, and strategies employed for dealing with high-conflict situations. They were subsequently videotaped while discussing 3 different scenarios. Three raters independently coded the videotapes for the use of effective and ineffective communication strategies used by the participants. Aggregate reliability estimates were acceptable. No gender-based differences were found on the self-report measures or the communication skill ratings. When couples discussed low-conflict situations use of effective skills exceeded use of ineffective skills, and when couples discussed high-conflict problems use of ineffective skills exceeded use of effective skills. Implications for treatment of spousal assault are presented.
We examined social problem-solving skills and binge drinking among 286 undergraduate men (N = 90)... more We examined social problem-solving skills and binge drinking among 286 undergraduate men (N = 90) and women (N = 196). The sample consisted of primarily first-year students (39%), sophomores (27%), juniors (21%), and seniors (13%), with an average age of 20. The makeup of the sample was predominantly Caucasian. Men were more likely than women to be classified as binge drinkers, but women had less effective social problem-solving skills, generally. Women who were binge drinkers had less effective social problem-solving abilities than women who were not binge drinkers. Implications for interventions and prevention programs are discussed.
Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 2000
Although many persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are at risk for preventable complications, ... more Although many persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are at risk for preventable complications, very little research has examined the health behaviors of these individuals. In this study, we examined self-reported health behaviors of persons with recent-onset SCI. We also studied the association between health behaviors and social problem-solving abilities. The results indicated that positive problem-solving characteristics were associated with more adaptive wellness and accident prevention behaviors. A negative orientation toward problem solving and avoidant and impulsive/careless styles was associated with increased traffic and substance risk taking. Implications are discussed in terms of health education, research, and prevention programs.
Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 2000
Family members have a considerable impact on the health and well-being of others in the family. T... more Family members have a considerable impact on the health and well-being of others in the family. The characteristics of family caregivers that relate to care recipients' positive and negative outcomes associated with chronic disease have received scant empirical attention. We reasoned that family caregiver social problem solving abilities would be associated with depression and life satisfaction reported by persons with congestive heart failure (CHF). Correlational analyses found that caregiver negative orientation toward solving problems was significantly predictive of higher depression and with decreased life satisfaction of persons with CHF. These findings indicate that family caregiver problem solving abilities are important factors in adjustment following CHF. Implications for clinical interventions and theoretical models of problem solving are discussed.
The Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised Scale (SPSI-R) has been shown to be a reliable and v... more The Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised Scale (SPSI-R) has been shown to be a reliable and valid self-report measure of social problem-solving abilities. In busy medical and rehabilitation settings, a brief and efficient screening version with psychometric properties similar to the SPSI-R would have numerous benefits including decreased patient and caregiver assessment burden and administration/ scoring time. Thus, the aim of the current study was to identify items from the SPSI-R that would provide for a more efficient assessment of global social problem-solving abilities.
Objectives-To present the bother subscales of the Nursing Home Vision-Targeted Health-Related Qua... more Objectives-To present the bother subscales of the Nursing Home Vision-Targeted Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (NHVQoL) and to examine their relationship to the original NHVQoL subscales and objective measures of visual function.
Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2014
To investigate recovery of medical decision-making capacity (MDC) over 6 months in persons with t... more To investigate recovery of medical decision-making capacity (MDC) over 6 months in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) stratified by injury severity. Longitudinal study comparing controls and patients with TBI 1 month after injury (t1) and 6 months after injury (t2). Inpatient TBI rehabilitation unit and outpatient neurology department. Participants (N=151) consisted of control subjects (n=60) and patients with TBI (n=91) stratified by injury severity: mild TBI (mTBI; n=27), complicated mild TBI (cmTBI; n=20), and moderate/severe TBI (msevTBI; n=44). Not applicable. We used the Capacity to Consent to Treatment Instrument to evaluate MDC performance on 5 consent standards (expressing choice, reasonable choice, appreciation, reasoning, and understanding). We also assigned capacity impairment ratings on the consent standards to each participant with TBI using cut scores referenced to control performance. Control performance was stable across time on the consent standards. Patient...
Objective-To identify cognitive predictors of medical decision-making capacity (MDC) in participa... more Objective-To identify cognitive predictors of medical decision-making capacity (MDC) in participants with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at time of acute injury (baseline) and at six-month follow-up.
Objective: Tested the relations of social problem-solving abilities to distress, depression, and ... more Objective: Tested the relations of social problem-solving abilities to distress, depression, and well-being and impairment reported by persons participating in a low vision rehabilitation program. Study Design: Correlational and multiple regression analyses. Setting: Outpatient low vision rehabilitation clinic. Participants: 25 men (M ϭ 73.88 years old, SD ϭ 11.94 years) and 29 women (M ϭ 68.79 years old, SD ϭ 17.25 years) participating in a comprehensive admitting examination. Main Outcome Measures: Emotional distress specific to the condition, depressive behavior, satisfaction with life, and functional ability. Results: A negative problem orientation significantly predicted depression and emotional distress; rational problem-solving skills predicted life satisfaction. Conclusions: A negative problem orientation toward problem solving predicts poor emotional adjustment reported by persons with low vision, and proactive problem-solving skills appear to promote optimal adjustment.
... Cynthia Owsley, Gerald McGwin, Jr., Kay Scilley, Laura E. Dreer, Carolyn R. Bray, and John O.... more ... Cynthia Owsley, Gerald McGwin, Jr., Kay Scilley, Laura E. Dreer, Carolyn R. Bray, and John O.Mason III, Department of Ophthalmology ... psychoeducational interventions where problem-solv-ing strategies (D'Zurilla & Nezu, 1999; Nezu, 2004; Nezu, Nezu, & Perri, 1989) are ...
To determine the percentage of family caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) with pr... more To determine the percentage of family caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) with probable depression and to test the hypothesis that dysfunctional problem-solving abilities would be significantly predictive of risk status after taking into account important demographic characteristics and caregiver health. Design: Correlational and logistic regression analyses of data collected in a crosssectional design. Participants: Eighteen men and 103 women caregivers (mean age of caregivers ϭ 45.66 years, SD ϭ 12.88) of individuals with SCI. Main Outcome Measure: The Inventory to Diagnose Depression. Results: Nineteen caregivers (15.7%) met criteria on the Inventory to Diagnose Depression for a major depressive disorder. A dysfunctional problem-solving style was significantly predictive of caregiver depression, regardless of the severity of physical impairment of the care recipient or the physical health of the caregiver and caregiver demographic variables. Conclusions: The percentage of caregivers with probable depressive disorder may parallel that observed among persons with SCI, using a more conservative self-report measure designed to assess symptoms associated with a depressive syndrome. Family caregivers with a dysfunctional problem-solving style and assisting individuals with more severe injuries may have probable depression.
Twelve married couples court-ordered to attend a violence reduction treatment program completed s... more Twelve married couples court-ordered to attend a violence reduction treatment program completed self-report measures of anger, social problem-solving skills, and strategies employed for dealing with high-conflict situations. They were subsequently videotaped while discussing 3 different scenarios. Three raters independently coded the videotapes for the use of effective and ineffective communication strategies used by the participants. Aggregate reliability estimates were acceptable. No gender-based differences were found on the self-report measures or the communication skill ratings. When couples discussed low-conflict situations use of effective skills exceeded use of ineffective skills, and when couples discussed high-conflict problems use of ineffective skills exceeded use of effective skills. Implications for treatment of spousal assault are presented.
We examined social problem-solving skills and binge drinking among 286 undergraduate men (N = 90)... more We examined social problem-solving skills and binge drinking among 286 undergraduate men (N = 90) and women (N = 196). The sample consisted of primarily first-year students (39%), sophomores (27%), juniors (21%), and seniors (13%), with an average age of 20. The makeup of the sample was predominantly Caucasian. Men were more likely than women to be classified as binge drinkers, but women had less effective social problem-solving skills, generally. Women who were binge drinkers had less effective social problem-solving abilities than women who were not binge drinkers. Implications for interventions and prevention programs are discussed.
Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 2000
Although many persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are at risk for preventable complications, ... more Although many persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are at risk for preventable complications, very little research has examined the health behaviors of these individuals. In this study, we examined self-reported health behaviors of persons with recent-onset SCI. We also studied the association between health behaviors and social problem-solving abilities. The results indicated that positive problem-solving characteristics were associated with more adaptive wellness and accident prevention behaviors. A negative orientation toward problem solving and avoidant and impulsive/careless styles was associated with increased traffic and substance risk taking. Implications are discussed in terms of health education, research, and prevention programs.
Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 2000
Family members have a considerable impact on the health and well-being of others in the family. T... more Family members have a considerable impact on the health and well-being of others in the family. The characteristics of family caregivers that relate to care recipients' positive and negative outcomes associated with chronic disease have received scant empirical attention. We reasoned that family caregiver social problem solving abilities would be associated with depression and life satisfaction reported by persons with congestive heart failure (CHF). Correlational analyses found that caregiver negative orientation toward solving problems was significantly predictive of higher depression and with decreased life satisfaction of persons with CHF. These findings indicate that family caregiver problem solving abilities are important factors in adjustment following CHF. Implications for clinical interventions and theoretical models of problem solving are discussed.
The Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised Scale (SPSI-R) has been shown to be a reliable and v... more The Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised Scale (SPSI-R) has been shown to be a reliable and valid self-report measure of social problem-solving abilities. In busy medical and rehabilitation settings, a brief and efficient screening version with psychometric properties similar to the SPSI-R would have numerous benefits including decreased patient and caregiver assessment burden and administration/ scoring time. Thus, the aim of the current study was to identify items from the SPSI-R that would provide for a more efficient assessment of global social problem-solving abilities.
Objectives-To present the bother subscales of the Nursing Home Vision-Targeted Health-Related Qua... more Objectives-To present the bother subscales of the Nursing Home Vision-Targeted Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (NHVQoL) and to examine their relationship to the original NHVQoL subscales and objective measures of visual function.
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Papers by Laura Dreer