Question 1

An expert on problem behaviors of adolescents tells a gathering of professionals the following, "The primary goal of treating these young people should be diversion." If the group then goes out and follows this suggestion, what will they try to accomplish?

Accepted Answer

The term "diversion" in this context means keeping young people out of the juvenile justice system, which has been criticized for perpetuating delinquent behavior. Therefore, the goal of treating these adolescents would be to prevent them from entering or staying within the system and instead provide them with alternative programs or interventions. Option A is not explicitly mentioned, and option B is too narrow as it only addresses family-based treatment. Option D is contradictory to the idea of diversion, which aims to avoid placing youth in the criminal justice system.

Question 2

Compared to Europe, Canada, and Australia, psychostimulant use in the United States is

Accepted Answer

Multiple studies have shown that the rate of psychostimulant use in the United States is three to 10 times higher compared to Europe, Canada, and Australia. This may be due to differences in prescription practices, cultural attitudes towards medication, and access to healthcare.

Question 3

The criteria for the diagnoses of phobia and depression in children are slightly different from those used to diagnose these disorders in adults. What do the criteria take into account in defining disorders in children?

Accepted Answer

The criteria for diagnosing phobia and depression in children take into account their limited cognitive capacity for insight, meaning that they may not have the ability to fully understand or articulate their emotions in the same way as adults. Therefore, the criteria are adapted to better suit the developmental stage of children. The other options listed are not directly related to these diagnostic criteria.

Question 4

What is one of the key elements of behavioral family therapy?

Accepted Answer

Teaching parents to systematically reward positive behavior and ignore or mildly punish misbehavior is a key element of behavioral family therapy. This helps to increase positive behavior and decrease negative behavior in the family system.

Question 5

A psychologist is reluctant to use parents' observations of their children in determining levels of their children's depression. However, parents often insist on being consulted. What is the psychologist likely to find when parents are asked to evaluate their children's levels of depression?

Accepted Answer

Parents often underestimate the extent of depression reported by their children because they may not fully recognize or understand the symptoms, or they may be in denial about their child's mental health issues.

Question 6

What did a 13-year follow-up study find about the effect of multisystemic therapy on recidivism rates among seriously troubled youth?

Accepted Answer

The 13-year follow-up study found that multisystemic therapy resulted in decreased recidivism rates among seriously troubled youth, but the rates were still quite high.

Question 7

What is a central process for many behavioral family therapists in treating adolescents with conduct disorder?

Accepted Answer

Promoting adolescent's involvement in deciding the rules is a central process for many behavioral family therapists in treating adolescents with conduct disorder. This allows the adolescent to feel more in control of their own behavior and to take ownership of the rules.

Question 8

Which of the following would NOT be considered a symptom of an internalizing disorder?

Accepted Answer

Aggression is a symptom of an externalizing disorder, whereas the other options (sadness, anxiety, somatic complaints) are typical symptoms of internalizing disorders.

Question 9

The parents of a child who has just been put on Ritalin are given a pamphlet describing some of the benefits and side effects of the drug. What types of side effects might the parents expect to see?

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of Ritalin include decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping. Itching and rashes, nausea and vomiting, as well as depression and anxiety, are less common side effects.

Question 10

Which fear is prevalent between ages 5 to 8?

Accepted Answer

School-related fears are prevalent between ages 5 to 8 as children start attending school and face new social and academic challenges.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of an internalizing symptom?

Accepted Answer

Internalizing symptoms refer to behaviors that are directed inward and are more psychological in nature. Sadness is an example of an internalizing symptom as it results in feelings of loneliness or hopelessness, and is not behaviorally expressed towards others like fighting or talking back. Hyperactivity, on the other hand, is an example of an externalizing symptom.

Question 12

Behavioral family therapy seems to be promising as a treatment for

Accepted Answer

The answer of Behavioral family therapy seems to be promising...

Question 13

What has research shown concerning residential programs such as Achievement Place?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that residential programs like Achievement Place are effective in producing positive behavioral changes while the teen is living in the group home.

Question 14

The main difference between children's fears and anxiety is

Accepted Answer

Children's fears are typically a reaction to a real and immediate danger, such as being afraid of a dog that is barking or a stranger approaching them. Anxiety, on the other hand, is often not directly linked to a specific danger or threat, but involves excessive worry and fear about future events or situations. Both fear and anxiety involve the brain's limbic system, but the main difference is that fear is a response to a known danger, while anxiety is a response to potential or imagined future threats.

Question 15

All of the following children are eight years old. Which of them is likely to be free of the major symptoms of their disorders by late adolescence?

Accepted Answer

Specific phobias, like Dean's fear of water, often decrease or resolve as children grow older, especially by late adolescence.

Question 16

What is the long-term prognosis for children who have oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder into adulthood?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that about half of children with oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder continue to have problems with antisocial behavior and other mental health issues in adulthood. It is important to note that there is still hope for treatment and intervention, but the long-term prognosis is not as positive as option B or C suggest. Option D is too extreme and not necessarily true for all cases.

Question 17

What has research shown concerning the association between diet and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What has research shown concerning the association...

Question 18

If a child diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder does not respond to psychostimulant drugs, which of the following categories of drugs would most likely be prescribed?

Accepted Answer

Antidepressants, particularly those that affect norepinephrine and dopamine, such as certain tricyclics or bupropion, may be used as alternative treatments for ADHD if psychostimulants are ineffective.

Question 19

The parents of an eight-year-old boy are talking to their pediatrician who has just prescribed Ritalin for their son. The pediatrician wants to make sure that the parents are aware of the possible side effects and will report them if and when they occur. Which of the following side effects might occur?

Accepted Answer

Slowed physical growth and motor tics are possible side effects of Ritalin, particularly if the child takes the medication for an extended period. While hallucinations and nervousness can occur, they are less common. Heart palpitations and enuresis (bedwetting) are rare side effects, and suicidal thoughts are a concern with some antidepressant medications, but not usually with Ritalin.

Question 20

Studies of the long-term benefits of psychostimulant medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder show

Accepted Answer

The answer of Studies of the long-term benefits of psychostimulant...

Quiz 16: Psychological Disorders of Childhood