Care provision and community adjustment of rural consumers with serious mental illness.

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictors of successful community living in a sample of rural individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (N = 40). Multimeasure/multisource indicators of consumer status, care provider attitudes, and care provider support provision were employed to predict community adjustment as measured by satisfaction with quality of life. Separate semistructured interviews were conducted with consumers, their case manager, and a family member or adult home provider.

Development and validation of a behavioral observation measure for the syndrome of psychosis, intermittent hyponatremia, and polydipsia.

A behavioral observation scale (Virginia Polydipsia Scale; VPS) for monitoring drinking patterns was developed and its reliability tested during 25 hours of tandem ratings among six patients with the syndrome of psychosis, intermittent hyponatremia, and polydipsia (PIPS). These ratings were compared to those collected from a control group of six psychiatric inpatients who were similarly observed for 25 hours. The scale was subsequently used to assess day-long drinking in a single PIPS patient.

Relationship of the MacAndrew Scale to sensation seeking.

Findings of Baker, Beer, and Beer on use of the MacAndrew Scale in relating sensation seeking to alcoholism require comment. It is argued that the MacAndrew Scale does not provide interval level data below the cut-off score so correlations on such data should be point biserial.

Behavioral intervention to reduce water intake in the syndrome of psychosis, intermittent hyponatremia, and polydipsia.

We describe a non-intensive behavioral intervention using an A-B design with extended follow-up on an open psychiatric unit to reduce water intake in a 52-year-old man with the syndrome of psychosis, intermittent hyponatremia, and polydipsia. A reinforcement schedule contingent upon weight gain secondary to water intake was employed. Mean diurnal weight gain was 7.