Development of a healthy lifestyle is an important aspect of mental health that is infrequently targeted in outpatient mental health settings. Although the interrelationship of psychological and physical factors has often been noted, interventions frequently focus on just one aspect of functioning. This project demonstrated the feasibility of a multidimensional weekly wellness group program focused on the overall health behaviors of patients in a Veterans Affairs mental health clinic. The modal participant was a male in his mid-50s, living alone, not employed, depressed, obese, and with many chronic medical problems. Eighty-three patients participated in a 15-week program promoting changes in such areas as stress management (abdominal breathing, muscle relaxation, visualization, and mindfulness), physical health care (exercise, nutrition, sleep routine, and substance use), and behavioral activation (activity scheduling, social affiliation, and use of community resources). Substantial improvement was found for most patients, in both psychosocial and physical functioning domains, and was maintained over time. The melding of psychoeducational and skills training into a positive psychology orientation appears to have been beneficial. In addition, the group process was quite effective in encouraging change in these highly comorbid, chronically ill veterans. The feasibility and importance of integrating psychosocial and physical interventions is underscored by this study.

This month's News, Views and Comments column differs from those that have appeared in previous issues. The first of the companion papers presented here offers the first in-depth historical overview of Dr. Peter Neubauer's controversial study of infant identical twins separated at birth, launched in the 1950s. The author, Dr. Lawrence Perlman, was a research assistant on the project while earning his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from New York University. His paper is followed by my own critical appraisal of issues raised by that study, some of which are still timely today. Readers are invited to forward their comments to me (nsegal@fullerton.edu) for possible consideration in future columns of Twin Research and Human Genetics.

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