Biomedical subjects

D Newbern

Publications and source records attributed to D Newbern.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Positive effects on life skills motivation and self-efficacy: node-link maps in a modified therapeutic community.

In recent years, one response to drug abuse problems has been to provide treatment in prison and probation settings. Results are promising, although the need for improving mandated treatment has been expressed. The Cognitive Enhancements for Treatment of Probationers (CETOP) project is investigating cognitive enhancements in a modified therapeutic community (TC) setting. One enhancement is node-link mapping, a visual graphing strategy. Map "nodes" contain ideas, actions, and feelings; these are connected by links that illustrate meaningful relationships. Current findings indicate increases in group participation, ratings of session depth, and positive ratings of coresidents, counselors, and security staff. The present study extends this research by comparing mapping-enhanced counseling to standard counseling on self-efficacy and motivation for basic psychosocial skills (e.g., emotional control). Probationers (n = 381) in a 16-week residential program were assigned randomly to conditions in 12 TCs (n = 30-35). Motivation and self-efficacy were assessed by two self-report questionnaires, one midway and one at the end of treatment. A five-factor solution was produced from each questionnaire. With community as the unit of analysis, means of enhanced counseling were higher in all cases. Wilcoxen tests indicated four significant differences at midterm for mapping on motivation and self-efficacy of communication and emotional control (p < .05). At the end of treatment, mapping was higher for motivation of cognition and emotional control and self-efficacy was higher for communication. Discussing Bandura's model, these findings provide evidence that maps may enhance psychosocial skills, which have been associated with maintaining recovery.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Spatial-Semantic Display Processing: The Role of Spatial Structure on Recall

The purpose of the present study was to test a model of spatial-semantic display processing by comparing the aided and unaided recall of information presented in a node-link format (knowledge map) to the aided and unaided recall of information presented in a text format. Structural icons of the knowledge map and text with the verbiage removed were used to aid retrieval in some conditions. Participants were randomly assigned to one of eight groups formed by the complete crossing of three factors: knowledge map versus text, structural icon at recall versus no structural icon at recall, and immediate versus delayed recall. Knowledge map groups outperformed text groups on essay tests and they more accurately remembered where information was located within the materials. Both knowledge map and text icon-aided recall groups had significantly better performance than the no icon, unaided recall groups (particularly on main ideas).

Journal Article↗

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↗