A college psychology professor's observations about public policy, mental health, sexual identity, and religious issues
I have several posts about the APA task force report and will have more to come. I have been following this story since late 2005, when David Fergusson’s research finding a link between abortion and negative outcomes first hit the landscape. I have written four op-eds about the matter and will have a couple more … Continue reading “News coverage of the APA Mental Health and Abortion Task Force report”
I asked New Zealand researcher, David Fergusson, about the APA Mental Health and Abortion task force report out today. He was one of 20 reviewers who commented extensively on the draft report. I specifically asked him what he thought of this statement from Task Force chair, Brenda Major in a Reuter’s report: “The best scientific … Continue reading “David Fergusson reacts to the APA Mental Health and Abortion task force report”
Today’s Wall Street Journal’s Stephanie Simon has an article regarding the APA Mental Health and Abortion Task Force. Titled “New Front on the Abortion Battle,” the article previews the APA committee’s report due to be considered tomorrow (Wed. 8/13/08). The article begins: For decades, the cultural battle over abortion has been about what goes on … Continue reading “Wall Street Journal previews APA Mental Health and Abortion task force report”
Last week, I reported the concerns of peace advocates, Consistent Life, about the upcoming American Psychological Association report regarding potential mental health consequences of abortion. In one of their letters to APA President Alan Kazdin, CL Executive Director, Bill Samuel, wrote: It is accordingly with great concern we note APA has not taken sufficient care … Continue reading “Handicapping the APA abortion and mental health task force report”
Just over a year ago, I reported on the creation by the American Psychological Association of a task force to study the mental health issues related to abortion. The task force is slated to report findings at the August, 2008 annual convention. I have obtained letters of concern regarding the timing and composition of the … Continue reading “Anti-violence group expresses concerns over APA abortion task force”
There appears to be a growing schism within LGBT circles regarding the APA appointments of Kenneth Zucker and Ray Blanchard to the Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Work Group (see the APA statement here). Today, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force issued a press release calling Zucker and Blanchard “clearly out of step with … Continue reading “National Gay & Lesbian Task Force questions the APA on DSM choices”
APA Press Release May 21, 2007 Contact: Public Affairs (202) 336-5700 ——————————————————————————– APA APPOINTS TASK FORCE TO REVIEW RECENT SCIENCE ON THERAPEUTIC RESPONSES TO SEXUAL ORIENTATION ——————————————————————————– WASHINGTON, DC—The American Psychological Association has appointed a Task Force of researchers and clinicians to review the current scientific research on therapeutic response to sexual orientation with an … Continue reading “APA appoints sexual orientation therapy task force”
First mentioned in passing in a January 21 New York Times article, the APA has appointed a task force to conduct an updated review of research on abortion and mental health outcomes. In contrast to the more public process used by the APA to appoint the task force on sexual orientation responses, the APA did … Continue reading “APA appoints task force on abortion and mental health”
More on the APA sexual orientation task force. Consider the following excerpt: The charge of the Task Force is threefold: (1) To revise and update the APA resolution Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation (1997); (2) To generate a report that includes the following: (b)The appropriate application of affirmative therapeutic interventions for adults who present … Continue reading “APA and the sexual orientation task force revisited”
The American Psychological Association just released the following press release regarding the involvement of psychologists in the Bush Administration’s interrogation techniques. For background, see this prior post (link). July 10, 2015 Press Release and Recommended Actions: Independent Review Cites Collusion Among APA Individuals and Defense Department Officials in Policy on Interrogation Techniques APA Apologizes for … Continue reading “American Psychological Association: APA Reps and Government Officials Colluded on Interrogation Techniques”