Introduction
The first definition of PAS, enunciated by Richard Gardner in 1985, refers to a disorder originating in the context of legal conflicts related to child custody. Its main characteristic ...would be a smear campaign by the child towards a parent, in the absence of plausible arguments. In this context, the child would experience an oppositional and dichotomous feeling towards his or her parents. In recent years, the presence of PAS has become increasingly important, both in the legal and health fields, largely due to the controversy and debate surrounding its approval and recognition, and there is currently no consensus on the matter.
Objectives
The main objective of this work is to examine the current state of PAS in depth in the different fields in which it is emerging: the medical-scientific and legal spheres. The current controversies and debate, both scientific and legal, will be developed. Research will be carried out on the origin of the concept and its evolution, its symptomatic presentation, the neuropsychological consequences in minors, the role and legal value of expert reports, as well as the existing evaluation methods for the assessment of PAS.
Methods
An extensive literature review was carried out on the subject in question, extracting information mainly from scientific articles, but also from legislative documents, manuals and books.
Results
There are currently no specific laws regulating PAS in European countries. According to Article 10.2 of the Spanish Constitution, norms related to fundamental rights shall be interpreted according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a direct consequence of the chronic psychological stresses experienced by children, adaptive disorders may appear, often characterised by symptoms of anxiety and depression. In addition, a multitude of neuropsychological consequences have been observed not only in the affected child, but also in the adult he or she will become.
Conclusions
Currently, there is a fervent debate about the validity and recognition of PAS as a diagnostic entity, spanning different disciplines, ranging from health to social and legal. In Europe, professionals in the scientific field have not reached an agreement regarding the approval of PAS. On the one hand, there are those for whom PAS is a verified phenomenon; on the other hand, there are those who flatly reject the existence of this phenomenon. The latter consider PAS an unscientific construct, referring to it as “court syndrome” or “patriarchal alienation syndrome”.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared
Neuropsychological Assessment: Past and Future Casaletto, Kaitlin B; Heaton, Robert K
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society,
10/2017, Letnik:
23, Številka:
9-10
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Neuropsychological assessment tools are the staple of our field. The development of standardized metrics sensitive to brain-behavior relationships has shaped the neuropsychological questions we can ...ask, our understanding of discrete brain functions, and has informed the detection and treatment of neurological disorders. We identify key turning points and innovations in neuropsychological assessment over the past 40-50 years that highlight how the tools used in common practice today came to be. Also selected for emphasis are several exciting lines of research and novel approaches that are underway to further probe and characterize brain functions to enhance diagnostic and treatment outcomes. We provide a brief historical review of different clinical neuropsychological assessment approaches (Lurian, Flexible and Fixed Batteries, Boston Process Approach) and critical developments that have influenced their interpretation (normative standards, cultural considerations, longitudinal change, common metric batteries, and translational assessment constructs). Lastly, we discuss growing trends in assessment including technological advances, efforts to integrate neuropsychology across disciplines (e.g., primary care), and changes in neuropsychological assessment infrastructure. Neuropsychological assessment has undergone massive growth in the past several decades. Nonetheless, there remain many unanswered questions and future challenges to better support measurement tools and translate assessment findings into meaningful recommendations and treatments. As technology and our understanding of brain function advance, efforts to support infrastructure for both traditional and novel assessment approaches and integration of complementary brain assessment tools from other disciplines will be integral to inform brain health treatments and promote the growth of our field. (JINS, 2017, 23, 778-790).
Neuro Rose, Nikolas S
2013., 20130221, 2013, 2013-02-21
eBook
The brain sciences are influencing our understanding of human behavior as never before, from neuropsychiatry and neuroeconomics to neurotheology and neuroaesthetics. Many now believe that the brain ...is what makes us human, and it seems that neuroscientists are poised to become the new experts in the management of human conduct.Neurodescribes the key developments--theoretical, technological, economic, and biopolitical--that have enabled the neurosciences to gain such traction outside the laboratory. It explores the ways neurobiological conceptions of personhood are influencing everything from child rearing to criminal justice, and are transforming the ways we "know ourselves" as human beings. In this emerging neuro-ontology, we are not "determined" by our neurobiology: on the contrary, it appears that we can and should seek to improve ourselves by understanding and acting on our brains.
Neuroexamines the implications of this emerging trend, weighing the promises against the perils, and evaluating some widely held concerns about a neurobiological "colonization" of the social and human sciences. Despite identifying many exaggerated claims and premature promises,Neuroargues that the openness provided by the new styles of thought taking shape in neuroscience, with its contemporary conceptions of the neuromolecular, plastic, and social brain, could make possible a new and productive engagement between the social and brain sciences.
Copyright note: Reproduction, including downloading of Joan Miro works is prohibited by copyright laws and international conventions without the express written permission of Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Objective: With the increasing diversification of the American population, the discipline of neuropsychology is challenged to develop appropriate tools and conceptual models to meet its evolving ...client base. Thus far, the focus has been on developing appropriate tests and norms to obtain accurate testing data. By contrast, far less attention has been paid to the contextual impact of culture on an evaluation. This paper attempts to address this shortcoming. Methods: This manuscript introduces the ECLECTIC framework for conceptualizing different facets of culture pertinent for understanding a culturally diverse client when conducting a neuropsychological evaluation. Individual components of the framework (E: education and literacy; C: culture and acculturation; L: language; E: economics; C: communication; T: testing situation: comfort and motivation; I: intelligence conceptualization; and C: context of immigration) are introduced and potential biases to fairness in testing are described. In this manner, the framework specifies how individual facets of culture can impact neuropsychological test performance. Conclusions: Clinical implementation of the framework will be illustrated with a case sample. Strengths and weaknesses of the framework are discussed as well as recommendations for implementation.
A special interest group of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine ACRM; Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee. (1993). Definition of mild traumatic brain injury. Journal of Head Trauma ...Rehabilitation, 8 (3), 86–87. was the first organized interdisciplinary group to advocate four specific criteria for the diagnosis of a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). More recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborative Center Task Force on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Carroll, L. J., Cassidy, J. D., Holm, L., Kraus, J., & Coronado, V. G. (2004). Methodological issues and research recommendations for mild traumatic brain injury: the WHO Collaborating Centre Task Force on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, (Suppl. 43), 113–125. conducted a comprehensive review of the definitions utilized in evidence-based studies with mild TBI patients. Based on this review, the WHO task force maintained the same four criteria but offered two modifications. The similarities and differences between these two definitions are discussed. The authors of the ACRM and the WHO definitions do not provide guidelines or specific recommendations for diagnosing the four criteria. Thus, we provide recommendations for assessing loss of consciousness, retrograde and post-traumatic amnesia, disorientation and confusion as well as clarification of the neurologic signs that can be indicative of a diagnosis of mild TBI. Finally, confounding factors mentioned in both definitions that should exclude a mild TBI diagnosis are summarized.
It is increasingly common for group studies in neuropsychology to report effect sizes. In contrast this is rarely done in single-case studies (at least in those studies that employ a case-controls ...design). The present paper sets out the advantages of reporting effect sizes, derives suitable effect size indexes for use in single-case studies, and develops methods of supplementing point estimates of effect sizes with interval estimates. Computer programs that implement existing classical and Bayesian inferential methods for the single case (as developed by Crawford, Garthwaite, Howell, and colleagues) are upgraded to provide these point and interval estimates. The upgraded programs can be downloaded from
www.abdn.ac.uk/~psy086/dept/Single_Case_Effect_Sizes.htm
Objective: Over the past two decades, there has been much research on measures of response bias and myriad measures have been validated in a variety of clinical and research samples. This critical ...review aims to guide clinicians through the use of performance validity tests (PVTs) from test selection and administration through test interpretation and feedback. Method/results: Recommended cutoffs and relevant test operating characteristics are presented. Other important issues to consider during test selection, administration, interpretation, and feedback are discussed including order effects, coaching, impact on test data, and methods to combine measures and improve predictive power. When interpreting performance validity measures, neuropsychologists must use particular caution in cases of dementia, low intelligence, English as a second language/minority cultures, or low education. Conclusions: PVTs provide valuable information regarding response bias and, under the right circumstances, can provide excellent evidence of response bias. Only after consideration of the entire clinical picture, including validity test performance, can concrete determinations regarding the validity of test data be made.
Objective: Digital devices are now broadly accessible and have the capacity to measure aspects of human behavior with high precision and accuracy, in a standardized manner. The purpose of this ...article is to characterize opportunities and barriers for modern digital neuropsychology, particularly those that are unique to digital assessment.
Methods: We provide a critical overview of the state-of-the-art in digital neuropsychology, focusing on personal digital devices.
Results: We identify three major barriers associated with digital neuropsychology, which affect both the interpretation of test scores and test norms: (1) variability in the perceptual, motor and cognitive demands of the same test across digital device classes (e.g. personal computer, tablet and smartphone); (2) hardware and software variability between devices within the same class that affect stimulus presentation and measurement and (3) rapid changes over time in hardware, software and device ownership, which can lead to rapid obsolescence of particular tests and test norms. We offer specific recommendations to address these barriers and outline new opportunities to understand and measure neuropsychological functioning over time and in everyday environments.
Conclusions: Digital neuropsychology provides new approaches for measuring and monitoring neuropsychological functioning, informed by an understanding of the limitations and potential of digital technology.
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