Parallel Processing

• Published in: American journal of orthopsychiatry 1976-07, Vol.46 (3), p.386-566
• Main Author: Goldstein, Kenneth M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Health Care Delivery; Health Care Services; Help Seeking Behavior; Human; Mental Health Services; Outpatients; Psychiatric Clinics
• ISSN: 0002-9432; 1939-0025
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-0025.1976.tb00937.x

Comments on an article by Beatrice Rasof (see record 2013-41591-018). Rasof argues for the advantages of a parallel processing of parents in a children’s outpatient clinic. However, a reanalysis of the data presented by Rasof leads to a different conclusion. During the two-month study period some of the parents agreed to participate in the intake groups and some did not. If these two groups are combined, the total group represents all applicants, and is comparable to the parents in the earlier three-month in-. take period. Comparing the data for the former group, with those for the latter, there are no statistically significant differences with regard to lack of response to the letter or phone call, to completion of the application, nor to being in therapy six months later. Since there are no differences between the two groups, it is difficult to attribute any advantages to the parallel processing intake procedure. At best, it appears that the self-selection procedure involved identifies those parents who are less likely to complete the application process and be in therapy six months later, indicating a possible need for additional support for those individuals. It is not clear that actual membership in the intake group serves any constructive purpose. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)