Good practice guidelines for clinical psychologists working in paediatric cochlear implant teams.

There are relatively few clinical psychologists working in paediatric cochlear implant centres in the UK and in this respect we lag behind other countries such as the USA and The Netherlands. In an effort to promote the added value our profession can offer teams, the clinical psychologists working in paediatric CI centres have put together good practice guidelines. This article outlines the rationale for putting together the guidelines, highlights the unique contribution clinical psychologists can offer, outlines the evidence base for psychological input in this clinical population, and offers a fictional case study for illustration.

Developing a parenting skills-and-support intervention for mothers with eating disorders and pre-school children: part 2. Piloting a group intervention.

Objective: This paper reports the development and preliminary evaluation of a group intervention for mothers with eating disorders who have pre-school children.

Method: This study aimed to define and clarify intervention components, and make a preliminary assessment of the feasibility, acceptability and potential for achieving clinical change of the group intervention.

Results: An eight-session group intervention was developed and piloted with four or five participants in each of three trials.

Developing a parenting skills-and-support intervention for mothers with eating disorders and pre-school children part 1: Qualitative investigation of issues to include.

Objective: This study aimed to (i) identify themes and issues that might usefully be addressed in a skills-and-support intervention for mothers with eating disorders who have children less than 5 years of age, and (ii) determine the most appropriate format for such an intervention.

Method: Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with seven mothers with eating disorders and pre-school children, and four local health professionals working with mothers of pre-school children.

Results: Thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed 10 themes: 'Passing on Traits', 'Food Preparation and Provision', 'Interactions Around Food and Mealtimes', 'Mother's Intake', 'Self Care', 'Self Identity and Parental Expectations', 'Impact on General Parent-Child Relationship', 'Need for Control', 'The Group Experience' and 'Practicalities and Format'.

An investigation into the psychometric properties of the Stirling Eating Disorder Scales.

The Stirling Eating Disorder Scales (SEDS) are widely used in clinical practice, however evidence regarding the internal consistency and validity of the measure is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the SEDS in a mixed eating disorder population. The SEDS and the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) were administered to 241 consecutive patients attending an adult out-patient eating disorder service in the UK.

Misuse of laxatives among adult outpatients with eating disorders: prevalence and profiles.

Objective: The current study investigated the prevalence of laxative misuse among adult outpatients with eating disorders, distinguished demographic and psychobehavioral profiles of laxative misusers, identified specific predictors of laxative misuse, and explored whether prevalence rates and psychobehavioral profiles differ across eating disorder diagnoses.

Method: Data were collected for 201 consecutive patients. Laxative misusers and nonmisusers were compared on demographic variables, measures of eating-related and weight-related behaviors and cognitions, and general psychopathology.