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Biomedical subjects

D F Dansereau

Publications and source records attributed to D F Dansereau.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Using knowledge maps and scripted cooperation to inform college students about patterns of behavior related to recurring abuse of alcohol.

Objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness of using a specific information format--graphic representations called knowledge maps--and an information processing strategy--scripted cooperation--in teaching college students about behavior patterns that underlie recurring abuse of alcohol. Participants in this three-session, 6-hour study were 111 Texas Christian University students recruited from undergraduate psychology classes. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two materials format conditions (map vs. text format) and to one of two processing strategy conditions (individual processing vs. scripted interaction with a partner). Results indicate that map format facilitated recall of the pattern information; processing with a partner appeared to enhance perception of the multidimensional nature of behavior that supports alcohol use.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Tools for drug and alcohol education: using decision worksheets in personal problem solving.

Previous research has indicated that poor decisions with regard to drugs (including alcohol) and other issues involving personal risks often stem from poor decision-making strategies. This study examines the use of decision worksheets in training individuals to employ better decision-making strategies. Forty-two students enrolled at Texas Christian University participated in a two-session, four-hour study. An experimental group and a control group were asked to read decision-making scenarios related to alcohol usage. Participants were then requested to rate a given list of possible alternatives, and to write a persuasive essay defending their ratings. The experimental group was given the same written scenario with a decision worksheet related to the scenario as a supplement. The essays were scored on several dimensions by two raters. Multivariate analyses indicated that the experimental group had higher mean scores than the control group on measures of "overall goodness," intensity, and inclusion of elements of feasibility, costs, and benefits. In addition to decision worksheets appearing to be a promising approach to training decision-making skills related to alcohol, persuasive essays appear to have promise in evaluating and extending the usage of decision worksheets.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1991

Using conceptual matrices, knowledge maps, and scripted cooperation to improve personal management strategies.

Research in the area of substance abuse suggests that ineffective personal management strategies appear to be a major factor in abuse behavior. In this study, fifty-seven students in an intermediate level psychology class were provided with three tools previously found to enhance academic learning strategies--knowledge maps, scripted peer cooperation, and conceptual matrices--as a means of understanding and improving personal management strategies. Student ratings of the value of these activities were significantly higher than an average or moderate response. Individual differences appear to be an important consideration in predicting participants' perceptions of the value of this approach. Those who felt they had control of whatever happens to them, and those who perceived problems as impactful and had strong desires to change recurring problem situations, had the most positive reactions to the types of activities used in this study.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using schematic organizers to help college students organize personal concepts and behavior related to alcohol and cocaine use.

The intent of this study was to assess the perceived effectiveness of using two types of schematic, graphic organizers--"maps" and "conceptual matrices"--to organize personal understanding of alcohol and cocaine behavior patterns and knowledge about reasons for and consequences of alcohol and cocaine use. Participants in this three-session, 6-hour study were 111 students from a private, southwestern university who were recruited from undergraduate psychology classes. Participants were randomly assigned to either "schema" (matrix/map) or "nonschema" (essay) conditions. The dependent measure, perceived usefulness of an activity, was defined in terms of three factors (use for personal insights, motivational aspects of an activity, and use for counseling purposes) and was assessed through a series of four postactivity questionnaires. Verbal ability was found to play an important role: map organizers for alcohol experiences were perceived as more useful than essay writing by below-median verbal ability participants. For organizing personal knowledge of reasons and consequences, essay writing was perceived as more useful. Possible trends were noted with respect to personality factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ethnicity and the effects of mapping-enhanced drug abuse counseling.

It was hypothesized that node-link mapping a tool for visually representing client issues during drug abuse counseling, would reduce communication barriers between counselors and their African American and Mexican American clients. Three hundred twenty daily opioid users participated in methadone maintenance treatment programs in three cities for 6 months or longer following random assignments to mapping-enhanced or standard counseling. Clients in the mapping condition had fewer drug-positive urines (with respect to opiates and cocaine), missed fewer scheduled counseling sessions, and were rated more positively by their counselors on rapport, motivation, and self-confidence during the first 6 months of treatment. Significant interactions involving ethnicity and counseling condition suggested that mapping is more effective for African Americans and Mexican Americans than for Whites. The use of mapping appears to help reduce cultural, racial, and class communication barriers by providing a visual supplement and a common language that enhances counselor-client interchanges.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A visual representation system for drug abuse counselors.

Node-link mapping is a technique that consists of drawing spatial-verbal displays to visually represent interrelationships between ideas, feelings, facts, and experiences. These multirelational maps are drawn during ongoing counseling sessions to represent a variety of personal and nonpersonal topics. This article provides an overview of this technique, including rationale, related and supporting research, and an example of its use during counseling. In addition, this article describes the potential impacts of mapping and comments on practical considerations related to the effective use of this tool in drug abuse counseling.

Audiovisual Aids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mapping-enhanced drug abuse counseling: urinalysis results in the first year of methadone treatment.

Urinalysis (UA) tests for opiates and cocaine were obtained over a 12-month period for a total of 155 long-term clients who participated in treatment in one of three urban methadone centers. At admission, clients were randomly assigned to "node-link mapping" (n = 82) or "standard" (n = 73) counseling treatment. Node-link mapping is a strategy for visually representing interrelationships between clients' ideas, feelings, and experiences. These multirelational maps are developed (usually by counselors) during individual and group counseling sessions to clarify clients' issues and problems. The results revealed that (a) mapping clients had significantly fewer opiate-positive UAs during months 2-6 of treatment and (b) session attendance was a significant predictor of cocaine-positive UAs over months 2-12 for mapping clients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Residential drug abuse treatment for probationers. Use of node-link mapping to enhance participation and progress.

Node-link mapping, a graphic representation tool, was used to enhance substance-abuse treatment in a 4-month residential criminal justice program. Twelve communities of 30 to 35 probationers ("residents") were randomly assigned to either mapping-enhanced or standard counseling. During group sessions, counselors and residents in the mapping communities collaborated to develop node-link maps representing critical issues. Counselors in standard communities used their own methods. Treatment motivation (i.e., desire for help) was assessed at intake and was used to categorize residents into three levels. Treatment involvement was measured at the middle and at the end of the program. Residents, as well as their counselors, rated those in mapping communities as participating more in group sessions than those in standard communities. Mapping residents also reported better personal progress toward treatment goals, more positive affective responses to treatment, and greater treatment engagement. Residents with higher motivation at intake had higher treatment involvement scores regardless of type of counseling received.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use of node-link mapping in drug abuse counseling: the role of attentional factors.

This study extends previous research on the use of node-link mapping during counseling by addressing the effect that this visual representation technique has on clients with attentional problems. Participants were 13 counselors in a methadone treatment program and their 93 opioid-addicted clients who had been in treatment for more than three months. Both counselors and clients were randomly assigned to mapping-enhanced or standard counseling. Based on a self-report measure assessing attention-related problems of clients, they were categorized as having either adequate or poor levels of attentional stamina and attentional control. Consistent with previous findings, clients in mapping-enhanced counseling had lower percentages of urine samples that were positive for cocaine or heroin. In addition, results suggest that mapping has greater benefits in terms of session attendance and program perception for clients with poor attentional stamina.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using peer, self, and counselor ratings to evaluate treatment progress.

It is generally recognized that the evaluation of treatment progress requires multiple methods of assessment. To provide a basis for supplementing existing measures, the current study investigated the use of a peer rating methodology for evaluating the treatment progress of 381 probationers admitted to a four-month residential drug abuse facility. Self ratings of "working the program" (i.e., conscientiously participating in treatment) were compared with ratings by peers in the program and with ratings by counselors. Peer and counselor ratings were more highly correlated with each other than with client self ratings. Peer as well as self ratings detected differences between enhanced and standard counseling, and were related to individual difference measures known to be associated with treatment progress. In addition, peer midterm ratings of "working the program" were related to both self and counselor ratings of clients' endterm participation, and counselor ratings of the likelihood of remaining clean and sober. These findings support the use of peer ratings as additional indicators of treatment progress.

Alcoholism↗