A meta-analysis of procrastination's possible causes and effects, based on 691 correlations, reveals that neuroticism, rebelliousness, and sensation seeking show only a weak connection. Strong and consistent predictors of procrastination were task aversiveness, task delay, self-efficacy, and impulsiveness, as well as conscientiousness and its facets of self-control, distractibility, organization, and achievement motivation. These effects prove consistent with temporal motivation theory, an integrative hybrid of expectancy theory and hyperbolic discounting.

Conclusions Children with severe heart disease may benefit from interventions specifically targeting perceptual organizational abilities, such as visual–spatial abilities. Moreover, older children and adolescents with CHD may benefit from psychological interventions reducing anxiety symptoms and depression.

A meta-analysis of 29 studies (n = 1844 families) shows statistically significant positive effects of video feedback interventions on the parenting behavior and attitude of parents and the development of the child. Parents become more skilled in interacting with their young child and experience fewer problems and gain more pleasure from their role as parent. Shorter programs appeared to be more effective in improving parenting skills.

Despite being a significant issue, there has been a lack of systematic reviews on gambling and problem gambling (PG) among the Chinese. Thus, this paper attempts to fill this theoretical gap. A literature search of social sciences databases (from 1840 to now) yielded 25 articles with a total sample of 12,848 Chinese community participants and 3397 clinical participants.

Results indicated that: categorical and dimensional approaches to measurement of early disruptiveness provide comparable data (effect size d = 2.29); both approaches yield comparable estimates of the stability of preschool disruptive behavior over time (categorical approach: d = 1.15; dimensional approach: d = 0.84); and both approaches discriminate between referred and non-referred preschoolers (d = 1.05 and d = .95).

Using a meta-analytic approach, the link between alcohol use/abuse and male-to-female partner violence as well as female-to-male partner violence was examined herein. The results indicate that there is a small to moderate effect size for the association between alcohol use/abuse and male-to-female partner violence and a small effect size for the association between alcohol use/abuse and female-to-male partner violence. For men only, several moderators were also examined and the magnitude of the effect sizes varied significantly as a function of the type of sample and type of alcohol measure selected. Specifically, there was a larger association of alcohol and aggression in clinical versus non-clinical samples and when measures assessed more severe alcohol problems.

Data from 33 randomized treatment studies were subjected to a meta-analysis to address questions surrounding the efficacy of psychological approaches in the treatment of specific phobia. As expected, exposure-based treatment produced large effects sizes relative to no treatment. They also outperformed placebo conditions and alternative active psychotherapeutic approaches. Treatments involving in vivo contact with the phobic target also outperformed alternative modes of exposure

A significant positive relation between peritraumatic dissociation and PTS was found. Differences in the methodological rigor between studies — time elapsed since peritraumatic dissociation, design, sample type, and study type — significantly and sufficiently explained the variability in effect sizes between studies. Theoretical variables did not explain such variability. Although results underline earlier findings, due to designs of the reviewed studies no conclusions could be drawn as to causal relations between peritraumatic dissociation and PTS.

This meta-analysis combines multiple well controlled studies to help clarify the overall impact of BCT in the treatment of substance use disorders. A comprehensive literature search produced 12 randomized controlled trials (n = 754) that were included in the final analyses. There was a clear overall advantage of including BCT compared to individual-based treatments (Cohen's d = 0.54). This was true across outcome domains (frequency of use d = 0.36, consequences of use d = 0.52, and relationship satisfaction d = 0.57). However the pattern of results varied as a function of time.

The triangular association between the MTHFR genotype, tHcy, and depression implies that higher concentrations of tHcy increase the risk of depression and that lowering tHcy by 0.19 mg/L could reduce the odds of depression by about 20%. Confirmatory data from sufficiently powered randomized trials of homocysteine-lowering therapy are now required to test if the relationship between tHcy and depression is truly causal.

Work sample exams are generally thought to have either low or comparatively low levels of ethnic group differences when used for personnel selection. Such exams are sometimes called "simulation exercises" and involve having applicants perform a set of tasks that are similar to those performed on the job. The nearly ubiquitous meta-analytic value of Black–White subgroup differences in the literature is d= .38. Unfortunately, this estimate is plagued by a variety of problems.

The literature on personality disorder in intellectual disability is notable for its paucity. The limited evidence available suggests that this population is at greater risk of personality disorder and that assessment and diagnosis is complex and often overshadowed by the intellectual disability. Few papers address treatment, there are no trial-based studies and it has not been established whether results can be extrapolated from research in the general population.

Cannabis use was consistently associated with increased relapse and non-adherence. Associations with other outcome measures were more disparate. Few studies adjusted for baseline illness severity, and most made no adjustment for alcohol, or other potentially important confounders. Adjusting for even a few confounders often resulted in substantial attenuation of results.

The number of countries in which the injection of drugs has been reported has increased over the last decade. The high prevalence of HIV among many populations of injecting drug users represents a substantial global health challenge. However, existing data are far from adequate, in both quality and quantity, particularly in view of the increasing importance of injecting drug use as a mode of HIV transmission in many regions.

Results: Thirteen studies were identified, ten assessing psychotherapy by telephone, two by internet and one by videoconference. Pooled effect sizes for remote therapy versus control conditions were 0.44 for depression (95%CI 0.29 to 0.59, 7 comparisons, n = 726) and 1.15 for anxiety-related disorders (95%CI 0.81 to 1.49, 3 comparisons, n = 168). There were few comparisons of remote versus face-to-face psychotherapy.

Results: Eighteen studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. There was strong evidence for a relationship between younger age, being diagnosed with more advanced disease, more physical symptoms and shorter time since diagnosis with increased levels of anxiety and/or depression. Additional factors (e.g. immune) tested in a few studies also emerged as correlates of distress.

Often, outcomes in clinical trials of antipsychotic medications are examined using last observation carried forward (LOCF). One limitation of LOCF and other common approaches is that they overlook the meaning underpinning trial completion and noncompletion. Noncompletion often relates to lack of drug tolerability. Because long-term treatment is often indicated, noncompletion is an important outcome. An alternative approach is to test the composite hypothesis of the difference between (a) completion rates and (b) efficacy of complete cases. Studies to date have not applied this relativelynew method. Objective: To illustrate the compo site approach, we applied it to a systematic review of studies and compared the results with the reported LOCF analysis.

Results: The review reported here found a significantly increased risk of Alzheimer's disease with current smoking and a likely but not significantly increased risk of vascular dementia, dementia unspecified and cognitive decline. Neither review found clear relationships with former smoking. Conclusion: Current smoking increases risk of Alzheimer's disease and may increase risk of other dementias. This reinforces need for smoking cessation, particularly aged 65 and over. Nicotine alone needs further investigation.

This review does not suggest that there are any particular volunteer tutoring models that should be recommended for immediate adoption for schools and districts across the country. Rather, we can conclude from the analysis that these programs can positively influence important reading and language sub-skills for young students. The results are substantial – approximately one-third standard deviation.

We included 12 RCTs with 306 participants. Only four had adequate allocation concealment, that is a low risk of selection bias. A large number of outcome measures were reported. Only six studies measured disability and two investigated whether the effects persisted. The overall effect (standardised mean difference) on disability had a wide confidence interval that included zero and was not statistically significant. For discharge destination there were clinically significant effects but in both directions and the confidence interval of the odds ratio included one. In contrast, cognitive rehabilitation did improve performance on some, but not all, standardised neglect tests. The number of cancellation errors made was reduced and the ability to find the midpoint of a line improved immediately and persisted at follow up. These effects appeared likely to generalise from the samples studied to the target population, but were based on a small number of studies.

The studies included in this systematic review indicate that CCTV has a modest but significant desirable effect on crime, is most effective in reducing crime in car parks, is most effective when targeted at vehicle crimes (largely a function of the successful car park schemes), and is more effective in reducing crime in the U.K. than in other countries.

Three small studies met the inclusion criteria. Two compared cognitive rehabilitation to a placebo intervention (total n=84), and the other to occupational therapy (n=33). Although cognitive rehabilitation was as acceptable as placebo and occupational therapy, with low attrition in both groups, no effects were demonstrated on measures of mental state, social behaviour, or cognitive functioning. An effect, in favour of cognitive rehabilitation, on a measure of self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, MD 6.3 CI 1.07-11.53 ) is worthy of replication in any future trials.

Although a vast majority of the selected studies . . . show noncustodial sanctions to be more beneficial in terms of re-offending than custodial sanctions, no significant difference is found in the meta-analysis based on four controlled and one natural experiments.

Two trials, involving 18 participants, were included. One study compared the effectiveness of a mnemonic strategy treatment group with a 'drill and practice' control, while the other compared the effectiveness of an imagery mnemonics programme with a 'pragmatic' memory rehabilitation control programme. Formal meta-analyses could not be performed due to a paucity of studies and lack of commonly-employed outcome measures. The results do not show any significant effect of memory rehabilitation on performance of objective memory tests, and no significant effects of treatment on subjective and observer-rated measures of memory.

Current major depression has been associated with worse clinical outcome among substance-dependent patients. The data are less clean on the prognostic implications of a past depression or elevated depressive symptoms without identification of a depressive disorder. These epidemiological data suggest that a co-occurring depressive disorder is important and warrants clinical attention.

Cognitive training can improve alertness and sustained attention but there is no evidence that it helps people to do daily activities without help after stroke. Attention problems can occur following stroke (a sudden catastrophe in the brain either because an artery to the brain blocks, or because an artery in or on the brain ruptures and bleeds). They are common in people with damage to the right side of their brain. Although there is some spontaneous recovery, some symptoms may persist for years. Cognitive rehabilitation training aims to improve attention, memory and perception. The review found that training improves alertness and sustained attention. The review found no evidence to show that cognitive rehabilitation can improve people's ability to do daily activities without help after a stroke (for example, getting dressed).

We identified 11 studies about screening accuracy, 6 depression treatment trials, but no studies that evaluated the effects of screening on depression or cardiovascular outcomes. In studies that tested depression screening instruments using a priori-defined cutoff scores, sensitivity ranged from 39% to 100% (median, 84%) and specificity ranged from 58% to 94% (median, 79%). Depression treatment with medication or cognitive behavioral therapy resulted in modest reductions in depressive symptoms (effect size, 0.20-0.38; r2, 1%-4%). There was no evidence that depression treatment improved cardiac outcomes.

Moderate effect sizes were found for the associations between cognitions and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and self-esteem problems, negative affect and behavioral responses and internalizing behavior problems, and behavioral responses and self-esteem problems. Small to moderate effect sizes were found for the associations between cognitions and relational problems, negative affect and behavioral responses and externalizing behavior problems, and physiological reactions and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Effect sizes were, with 1 exception, larger for internalizing than for externalizing behavior problems. Age significantly moderated the majority of effect sizes.

The available evidence remains limited, but there is still no indication of any significant benefits from cognitive training. Trial reports indicate that some gains resulting from intervention may not be captured adequately by available standardized outcome measures. It is not possible at present to draw conclusions about the efficacy of individualised cognitive rehabilitation interventions for people with early-stage dementia, due to the lack of any RCTs in this area. Further, well-designed studies of cognitive training and cognitive rehabilitation are required to provide more definitive evidence.

Overall, the results showed medium effect sizes in patients with PTSD compared to controls on verbal memory across studies. Marked impairment was found in the patient groups compared to healthy controls, while modest impairment was found compared to exposed non-PTSD controls. Meta-analyses found strongest effects in war veterans compared to sexual and physical assault related PTSD. Rather unexpectedly no effect was found for the sexually abused PTSD groups compared to exposed controls. The analyses further showed that the effect was dependent on the test procedures used.

We did not find a significant difference in the subjective loudness of tinnitus, or in the associated depression. However we found a significant improvement in the quality of life (decrease of global tinnitus severity) of the participants, thus suggesting that cognitive behavioural therapy has an effect on the qualitative aspects of tinnitus and contributes positively to the management of tinnitus.

The review found only nine studies providing costs and benefits information. Six of these studies were assessed as providing a ‘valid’ or ‘comprehensive’ benefit-cost analysis, acceptable on the Benefit-Cost Validity Scale – Revised, covering a range of different sentences. Two studies of In-prison Sex Offender Treatment were found to be cost-beneficial, in addition to an Intensive Supervision program and a Youth Wilderness Program, though the two latter interventions are less well-supported by the wider research evidence. Diversion from imprisonment to drug treatment was assessed by its authors to be cost-beneficial; and imprisonment for high risk offenders was considered to be cost-beneficial, though not for less prolific offenders or for drug offenders.