The AAMD ABS-SE,Part Two: Criterion-related validity in a behavior-disordered sample

The purpose of this research was to determine the diagnostic validity of Part Two of the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale-School Edition (ABS-SE) for the classification of behavior-disordered (BD) children. The sample consisted of 66 elementary school students ranging in age from 7-0 through 12-11. There were three groups of subjects: (a) children classified BD; (b) children referred for behavior problems, but not classified; and (c) children in regular classrooms, neither referred nor classified. Teachers completed Part Two of the ABS-SE for all subjects. Validity was investigated for both domain and factor scores, with discriminant analyses yielding significant classification results. Using the domain scores generated by the stepwise discriminant analysis, the overall rate of correct classification was 71.21%; using factor scores, the level of correct classification increased to 77.27%.     

Program evaluation of a school consultation program

The results of a school psychological and social work program are presented on children referred for behavioral and learning problems. Through the consultation service, the average student objective for learning problems was achieved to 85% of criterion, and the average objective for behavioral problems was achieved to 82% of criterion during a 10-week period. An analysis of the consultation activities was made in relation to the accomplishment of the objectives for both learning and behavioral problems. No clear evidence was found for any single activity being related to success. Also analyzed was the time spent on each consultation activity and the accomplishment of the student objectives. There was a positive relationship between total consultation time and student outcomes on learning problems, but there was no significant relationship between total consultation time and the accomplishment of objectives for behavioral problems. General findings show that consultation activities can be conducted with small investments of time and with a high degree of student accomplishment of objectives. A case is presented for the merits of program improvement by monitoring psychological and social work services.     

Parenting by lying

The present set of studies identifies the phenomenon of `parenting by lying', in which parents lie to their children as a means of influencing their emotional states and behaviour. In Study 1, undergraduates (n = 127) reported that their parents had lied to them while maintaining a concurrent emphasis on the importance of honesty. In Study 2 (n = 127), parents reported lying to their children and considered doing so to be acceptable under some circumstances, even though they also reported teaching their children that lying is unacceptable. As compared to European American parents, Asian American parents tended to hold a more favourable view of lying to children for the purpose of promoting behavioural compliance.