In order to characterize a typical clinical context, as opposed to an academic or research context, this article will analyze the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients who turn to a psychology clinic in need of professional help. This study was conducted using an initial sample of 1,305 patients at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) Clínica Universitaria de Psicología. Of the sociodemographic characteristics studied, it is noteworthy that the majority of patients were women (65%) and relatively young (the average age is 29.7 years-old). The disorders for which psychological help was most often needed were anxiety and mood disorders and relationship problems, which together made up 50% of cases. In 17.70% of cases, patients had at least one comorbid disorder in addition to the one that brought them to the clinic. The generalizability and implications of the results are discussed.

Background: Psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs) have become a standard part of UK mental health services. They treat patients who may be very unwell and who are usually compulsorily detained. There is little published data about the clinical activity of such units to provide an evidence base for clinical governance.

Aim: To describe the socio-demographic characteristics, mental state and outcome of treatment for 332 patients admitted consecutively to seven English PICUs.

Method: Prospective, multi-centre case note analysis.

Results: PICU patients were predominantly Caucasian males, in their mid thirties, with complex needs and chronic psychotic illness often complicated by substance misuse. Most were admitted because of perceived risk of violence to others. Whilst most admissions appeared to be broadly in line with Department of Health guidelines some patients experienced an excessive length of PICU stay. Patients from particular BME groups were over-represented.

Conclusions: PICUs appear to deliver effective treatment but are not always the least restrictive environment as envisaged by the Department of Health. Further work is needed to evaluate treatment interventions and develop valid measures of quality of care.

People may behave in environmentally friendly ways because they gain psychologically from their experiences in natural environments. Psychological benefits of nature experience may also underlie concerns about personally harmful effects of environmental problems. Cross-sectional survey data from 1413 Norwegian adults were used to assess the relationship between use of natural environments for psychological restoration and ecological behaviour, as mediated by personal environmental concern. Mediation tests with hierarchical regression analyses provided evidence of partial mediation; the use of natural environments for restoration remained a significant predictor of ecological behaviour after the entry of environmental concern into the analysis. These associations held independently of age, gender, education, household income, size of community of upbringing, size of community of current residence and distance of current residence from an outdoor recreation area. Among sociodemographic variables, only gender had a significant association with the use of natural environments for restoration, suggesting that their use transcends several important social categories in Norway. In short, positive experiences in natural environments may promote ecological behaviour.

Nearly 32% of consumers surveyed at four supermarkets and one private direct market in New Jersey reported having prior awareness of integrated pest management (IPM). However, knowledge of IPM does not appear homogeneous across all demographic segments. This study empirically evaluates which socioeconomic characteristics suggest that a consumer will be more likely to have existing knowledge of IPM. Results indicate that those who had higher levels of education, had visited a farmers' market within the previous five years, had no children, grew fruits and vegetables at home, were female, or had regularly used media reports about food safety were more likely to claim awareness of IPM.

Objectives: In view of the apparent public discontent that has been expressed by individuals towards temporary certification and involuntary treatment, this study was set up to assess patients' reactions to their involuntary admission. The study compared the demographic characteristics of voluntary and involuntary patients and assessed their attitudes towards and knowledge of the certification process that presently exists in Ireland.

Method: A total of 68 patients, 38 involuntary patients consecutively admitted over a six month period and 30 voluntary patients selected over the same period, were interviewed with a standard questionnaire, on average six months after discharge.

Results: Involuntary patients were more likely to be single, live with their families and showed no demonstrable gender bias. Involuntary patients had limited knowledge of specific aspects of their individual certifications, particularly with regard to knowledge of their rights, admission status and knowledge of the identity of the applicant of the certificate. Of these, 10% were aware of their rights on admission and only 14% could recall that their rights had been explained to them on admission.

Conclusion: Although patients initially expressed strong feelings of anger on admission towards committal, these feelings were found to reduce over time. Recommendations for improving the present Mental Health Act were suggested by those interviewed and these included a need for an initial assessment period before certification is completed and a need for improved communication by medical staff regarding information on the admission status, the identity of the applicant and on the person's rights.