This article describes the development and psychometric evaluation of the Stephenson Multigroup Acculturation Scale (SMAS). Three studies were conducted to describe its development and refinement, examine its psychometric properties with 436 participants from 5 ethnic groups, and examine the robustness of the factor structure with a new sample. Exploratory factor analyses generated a 2-factor solution: ethnic society immersion and dominant society immersion. Item refinement resulted in a 32-item version of the SMAS. Findings indicated a robust factor structure across groups. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the 2-factor model provided a close approximation to the observed data. Studies indicated high reliability and validity indexes. Findings support the role of acculturation as a mediator between ethnic group affiliation and standardized assessment results.

Ethnic and racial differences between client and therapist affect therapy processes and outcomes, but little is known about the extent to which therapists have dialogues about their differences in therapy. A survey on this topic was completed by 689 APA-licensed psychologists with experience conducting cross-cultural therapy. Most psychologists reported having such discussions, but with less than half of their cross-ethnic/racial clients. Therapists and clients were equally likely to initiate discussions. Reasons for discussing differences varied greatly. Therapists consistently described themselves as comfortable with and skilled at these discussions, and reported that discussions facilitated therapy. Therapists who were female, older, nonminority, less experienced with diverse clients, and viewed training as an important factor were more likely to have discussions about differences. Results point to the need to better understand if, when, and how ethnic and racial differences should be addressed in therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved).

This study reports survey findings of police officer perceptions and utilization of a domestic violence response team, which involved social workers and trained volunteers providing crisis intervention at the scene of domestic violence crimes. The majority of the 219 police officer respondents perceived the domestic violence response team as helpful. Other feedback provided in the survey was used to expand services and to make them more efficient and effective.

Preliminary findings on the effectiveness of solution-focused therapy with children who have been referred from the school system for behavior problems are reported. Significant improvements between pretest and posttest scores were found on the Conners' Parent Rating Scale (Conners, 1990) for the following subscales: conduct problems, learning problems, psychosomatic problems, impulsivity-hyperactivity, and the hyperactivity index. On the Feelings, Attitudes, and Behaviors Scale for Children (Beitchman, 1996), child respondents reported positive improvements on self-image between pretest and posttest but negative changes for the conductproblems subscale. Implications for solution-focused practice and the treatment of child behavior problems are discussed.

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