Preschoolers' responses to ongoing interadult conflict: the role of prior exposure to resolved versus unresolved arguments

Children's past experiences with interadult conflict are likely to influence their responses to ongoing arguments. Preschoolers' (4- to 5-year-olds) responses to interadult conflict were examined as a function of experimentally manipulated histories of exposure to resolved and unresolved arguments. Children were presented with two live arguments that were either resolved or unresolved, then they were presented with a third argument that was interrupted in progress (i.e., unresolved), and they were interviewed next. Children's overt-behavioral responses were videotaped and coded for distress level. The results support the notion that past experiences with conflict resolution ameliorate children's distress responses to ongoing arguments. In comparison to children previously exposed to unresolved conflict, those exposed to a history of resolved disputes were more likely to (a) exhibit lowered behavioral distress, (b) predict a lower likelihood of a conflictual outcome for the couple's argument, (c) report less negative perceptions of the arguing adults, and were less likely to (d) endorse intervention in conflict through attempts to stop the disputes; (c) and (d) pertained only to girls.

Children's responding to live interadult conflict: the role of form of anger expression

Children's responses to interadult arguments were examined as a function of three forms of disputes: covert, verbal, and physical. Four- to seven-year-olds' overt-behavioral responses to live enactments of arguments between a male and a female were videotaped and coded for behavioral distress and anger/aggression, and children were then interviewed. Although children exhibited overt-behavioral distress in response to all forms of disputes, physical arguments evoked the highest levels of distress. Some gender differences in responding were observed. In comparison to boys, girls exhibited more overt distress during the arguments, and wanted to stop physical arguments more frequently. The results extend findings based on the videotape methodology of the presentation of interadult arguments indicating that form of anger expression impacts children's emotional responding to interadult conflict.

Background verbal and physical anger: a comparison of children's responses to adult-adult and adult-child arguments

Children's responses to adult-child conflict were examined and compared to their responses to adult-adult conflict. These responses were further analyzed in relation to 2 forms of anger expression: verbal and physical. 6-7- and 9-10-year-olds were interviewed after viewing videotaped segments of angry arguments. Although children were distressed by both adult-child and adult-adult conflict, the participants in conflict and form of anger expression moderated some of their responses. In adult-child conflict, children were more scared in response to physical versus verbal arguments. For verbal arguments, some children felt both more scared and mad during adult-adult conflict in comparison to adult-child conflict; however, the percentage of children reporting fear and anger was small. Intervention in conflict through siding with one party occurred more frequently in adult-child conflict versus adult-adult conflict. Responses were further moderated by the age and gender of the subject.

Children's emotional and physiological responses to interadult angry behavior: the role of history of interparental hostility

Relations between history of marital discord and responses to interadult angry behavior were examined in preschoolers. Children watched/listened to an angry interaction between two adults, while their heart rate (HR) and skin conductance response (SCR) and skin conductance level (SCL) were monitored; then they were interviewed about their emotional responses to the argument. Children were also videotaped during the session and their overt behavioral distress responses were coded. In comparison to children from low-conflict homes, children from high-conflict homes (a) exhibited more overt behavioral distress in response to the argument, and (b) perceived the angry interaction as less negative in affect. Children's HR reactivity to the angry interaction was influenced by both marital conflict and the gender of the subject. In comparison to girls from low-conflict homes, those from high-conflict homes exhibited more HR reactivity to the argument. For boys, physical violence in the home was negatively associated with HR reactivity.

Children's emotional and physiological responses to interadult angry behavior: the role of history of interparental hostility

Relations between history of marital discord and responses to interadult angry behavior were examined in preschoolers. Children watched/listened to an angry interaction between two adults, while their heart rate (HR) and skin conductance response (SCR) and skin conductance level (SCL) were monitored; then they were interviewed about their emotional responses to the argument. Children were also videotaped during the session and their overt behavioral distress responses were coded. In comparison to children from low-conflict homes, children from high-conflict homes (a) exhibited more overt behavioral distress in response to the argument, and (b) perceived the angry interaction as less negative in affect. Children's HR reactivity to the angry interaction was influenced by both marital conflict and the gender of the subject. In comparison to girls from low-conflict homes, those from high-conflict homes exhibited more HR reactivity to the argument. For boys, physical violence in the home was negatively associated with HR reactivity.

Individual differences in preschoolers' physiological and verbal responses to videotaped angry interactions

Individual differences in selection of intensity of angry interactions and physiological and self-reported responses to interadult anger were examined in preschoolers (N = 34). Children watched two videotaped angry interactions between adults, while their heart rates and skin conductance responses and levels were monitored; then they were interviewed. Before the second argument, children were given the perceived choice of watching an intense or mild angry exchange. Individual differences in responding to the angry interactions were found. Both (a) children with relatively higher externalizing behavior problems and (b) boys who chose to watch intense anger had lower tonic heart rates; 80% of boys with externalizing problems chose to watch intense anger. Further, children who chose to watch intense anger (a) exhibited lower declines in heart rates upon the presentation of the argument, (b) perceived the actors as more angry, and (c) reported lower amounts of distress during the argument than those who chose mild anger.

Segmental splenectomy and extraperitoneal splenic transposition with gastroesophageal devascularization in treatment of oesophageal varices. A new technique

We evaluated segmental splenectomy and extraperitoneal splenic transposition with gastroesophageal devascularization (S.S.S.T.) in 30 patients with oesophageal varices (22 bleeders and 8 non-bleeders) and compared their results with those of 30 patients (22 bleeders and 8 non-bleeders) who underwent splenectomy and gastroesophageal devascularization in a randomised study. It was found (by endoscopy) after a follow-up period up to 3 years that after the operation S.S.S.T. the varices disappeared in 6.7%, reduced in 66.7% and did not change in 23.3% while in the compared operation of splenectomy and gastroesophageal devascularization only, oesophageal varices did not change in 90% and increased in grading in 10%. The percent reduction of portal pressure in our new S.S.S.T. technique was 30% after 9 months and 40.7%-60% after 2 years. This decreased portal pressure reading with longer follow-up period suggests that collaterals between the transposed splenic segment and the parieties may increase in number and/or caliber by increasing the blood flow through these collaterals. No recurrence of bleeding, no encephalopathy or mortality during the period of follow-up (3 years). No reenlargement of the transposed splenic segment (clinically and sonographically) up to 3 years of observation. Trans-segmental splenic venography and Digital Vascular Imaging (D.V.I.) had demonstrated collateral vessels between the transposed splenic segment and the parieties and reversed splenic blood flow. Also, D.V.I. showed a collateral vessel anastomosis with the renal parenchymal vessels (Splenorenal collateral or shunt).

Children's responses to different forms of expression of anger between adults

Anger is not a homogeneous stimulus, but can vary on a variety of dimensions and domains. This study examined children's responses to anger as a function of: (a) the mode of expression of anger (nonverbal, verbal, verbal-physical), and (b) whether or not anger between others was resolved. Children were presented with videotaped segments of angry and friendly interactions and asked questions concerning their responses. All angry interactions, including non-verbal anger, were perceived as negative events and elicited negative emotions. Unresolved anger was perceived as a far more negative event than resolved anger and induced greater feelings of anger and distress in children. Verbal-physical anger was perceived as the most negative form of expression of anger. Boys reported more angry feelings in response to anger than girls. Distress responding was greater in children from homes in which there was interparent physical aggression and in children with behavior problems. Finally, the utility of this methodology is supported by relatively high test-retest reliability and limited evidence of context effects.

The Luria-Nebraska and Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test batteries: a cross-cultural study in English and Arabic

In the present study, the Luria-Nebraska and the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test batteries were administered to 112 male and female Arabic and English speaking Egyptians enrolled at the American University in Cairo. The aims of the study were to establish normative data, test the effects of language and order of administration upon performance, and examine practice effects and test-retest reliability of the two batteries. Only minimal differences were found between the Arabic and the English administrations. Results revealed strong test-retest reliability coefficients for the HRB and moderate ones for the LNNB. Practice effects were detected on six LNNB scales as well as on the HRB complex problem solving tests (Category and Tactual Performance Test). No other effects were detected. Thus, the initial performance on one battery did not interfere with nor enhance performance on the other battery.