A validation study of the prediction of college achievement.

"A regression equation derived from the ACE and six clinical scales of the MMPI in an experimental group of 267 freshman women at the University of California, Santa Barbara College, was applied in the prediction of GPA to a similar cross-validation group at the same institution. The shrinkage in the coefficient of determination… can be attributed to the regression phenomenon, sampling errors, and the influence of variables not measured by the prediction scales." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A validation study of the Worthington Personal History Blank.

The validity of the Worthington PH blank was compared with the validity of standardized tests (Wonderlic Personnel Test, The Personnel Laboratory's Employment Test, Thurstone Temperament Schedule, and the "Dominance" and "Self-Sufficiency" scales of the Bernreuter PI) for a sample of 47 publishing company employees. The criterion was associates' ratings on traits common to those measured by the PH and the other tests. Neither the PH nor the test results were significantly related to the criterion ratings. However, the difference (in favor of the tests) between the contingency coefficients comparing the tests with the ratings and the coefficients comparing the PH with the ratings was significant at the .06 level of confidence. It was concluded that the objective tests were at least as good as the PH, and that use of the latter is not warranted in terms of cost. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A validation study of polygraph examiner judgments.

Validated the lie detection judgments in criminal investigations conducted by the military services against unanimous guilt-innocence decisions by a panel of 4 Judge Advocate General (JAG) attorneys. Since the study did not permit isolation of the role played by the polygraph record itself, the examiner's judgment was considered the end product of his complete interrogation of a suspect. Each JAG attorney made an independent decision based upon perusal of case files from which all polygraph references were deleted. Attorneys were instructed to eliminate files lacking sufficient evidence and to disregard legal technicalities. Level of agreement was 92.4%. Percentage of agreement decreased significantly to 74.6% when the criterion was a majority JAG panel decision. The study supports the use by the military services of polygraph examiner judgments as an aid in determining whether to continue or to terminate the investigation of a suspect. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A validation study of the Harvey Impostor Phenomenon Scale.

Factor analyzed the 14 scale items of the Harvey Impostor Phenomenon Scale (HIPS) by J. C. Harvey and C. Katz (1985). 104 postgraduates completed the HIPS and a brief demographic survey. Three factors accounted for 54.7% of the variance; these factors reflected feelings of being an impostor, unworthiness, and inadequacy. Findings point to the general construct validity of the impostor phenomenon as measured by the HIPS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Rorschach validation study of the ego regression theory of psychopathology.

Gave a psychiatric interview (to determine clinical status) and the Rorschach Test to 33 schizophrenics 4 times during a 20-mo period. Test-retest changes in 10 Rorschach indices of ego regression were then correlated with concurrent measures of clinical status change. F + %, R, Perseveration and Scorability were significantly related as predicted. Moreover, Ss not receiving medication showed more evidence of regression and recovery as their clinical status either declined or improved than did Ss receiving medication. Thus, there are certain treatment conditions under which the concept of ego regression accurately describes the pathogenic process, whereas there are other conditions under which regression is not as clearly demonstrable. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A patient-centred study of the consequences of stroke

OBJECTIVE: To explore subjective accounts of the consequences of stroke. DESIGN: Qualitative methods using depth interviews. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Forty people sampled ten months post stroke from a hospital stroke register which was established in two adjacent health districts in North Thames Regional Health Authority. RESULTS: Interviewees reported a number of ways in which the stroke had affected their daily lives, including difficulty with leaving the house, doing the housework, pursuing former leisure activities, inability to walk in the way they wanted, problems with communicating, washing, bathing and dressing, and with confusion and deteriorating memory. In all these areas people described the loss of social contact that accompanied these changes, and the loss of valued roles which had been embedded in the everyday functions they had previously performed. In general, people over the age of 70 were more seriously affected. CONCLUSION: The type of changes which people reported would not easily have been captured using standardized outcome measures, pointing to the value of qualitative methods in providing subjective accounts. In terms of clinical practice, there is a need to reduce people's isolation after stroke by providing home visits after discharge, particularly to those living alone, and also by reducing disability through rehabilitation and by tackling the environmental obstacles which can imprison people in their homes. The findings suggest that many people with stroke would benefit from being able to talk about the changes which have occurred. Imaginative proposals are needed to develop ways to help replace the loss of activities, social contacts and social roles, particularly among older people with stroke.     

Hypnosis and encounter group volunteers: A validation study of the sensation-seeking scale.

In 2 studies, the Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS) scores of college students who volunteered or did not volunteer for hypnosis and encounter group studies were compared. Volunteers for both types of studies had significantly higher SSS scores than nonvolunteers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A longitudinal study of the psychosocial impact of stroke on primary support persons.

We investigated longitudinally the effects of a stroke on the social support systems and well-being of the patient's primary support person, both acutely and as the condition stabilized. Individuals who had suffered a first stroke and a primary support person participated in two waves of data collection, carried out in 6-month intervals beginning 7 weeks after the stroke. Our data show that the prevalence of depressive symptoms is from 2? to 3? times higher than rates found among representative samples of middle-aged and elderly populations. Mean level of depression did not change over time, although level of optimism declined significantly. Multiple regression analyses showed that levels of depression and perceived burden in support persons are highly related to aspects of the stroke such as its severity, and that demographic variables such as age and income play a relatively minor role in attenuating these relations in the acute adjustment phase. However, from 7 to 9 months after the stroke, well-established demographic variables such as health, income, and age were significant predictors of depression. Individuals who were older and who had good health and higher incomes were least depressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rorschach movement and dreams: A validation study using drug-induced dream-deprivation.

To test the hypotheses that dream deprivation would produce an increase in quantity of projected movement and a change in its quality in the direction of body-dissolution imagery, 20 Ss were tested with Holtzman inkblots before and after 2 nights of drug-induced dream deprivation. Their performance was compared with that of 30 non-dream-deprived controls. Results were significant in the predicted direction and were interpreted as offering support for Rorschach's views on the fundamental similarity between movement and dreams due to the centrality of kinesthetic experience in both. Additional findings on space were congruent with Fonda's view of space as resistance to internal, rather than external, forces. More specifically, space was interpreted as resistance to movement. (32 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ego defenses and reaction to stress: A validation study of the Defense Mechanisms Inventory.

Investigated the relationship between scores on the Defense Mechanisms Inventory and reaction to an experimental conflict situation in which 40 male and 45 female undergraduates were led to believe that their performance was deficient on a new test of scholastic ability. Reaction to the situation was determined by S's pre- and posttest estimates of his scholastic ability, a mood adjective check list, and a questionnaire designed to elicit criticism of the test, the experiment, and the E. The pattern of defenses predicted residual posttest estimates of ability for both sexes, with a higher correlation obtained for males. In general, low residual estimates, reported decrease in self-appraisal, anxiety, and depression, were associated with a high turning-against-self defense score. For males a low residual estimate of ability, with no reported decrease in self-appraisal and low negative affect scores, was associated with high reversal and low turning-against-others defenses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Convergent and discriminant validation by the multitrait-multimethod matrix.

"This paper advocates a validational process utilizing a matrix of intercorrelations among tests representing at least two traits, each measured by at least two methods. Measures of the same trait should correlate higher with each other than they do with measures of different traits involving separate methods. Ideally, these validity values should also be higher than the correlations among different traits measure by the same method." Examples from the literature are described as well as problems in the application of the technique. 36 refs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The tenacious goal pursuit and flexible goal adjustment scales: A validation study.

The flexible goal adjustment (FLEX) and tenacious goal pursuit (TEN) scales are used regularly in aging research. The current study examined their validity in a sample of 517 women (30–75 years) in multiple ways. Overall, the findings show that the scales do not clearly distinguish between FLEX and TEN. The direction in which the items were formulated was just as important as what was being measured. Moreover, face validity of the inversely phrased items in particular appeared to be weak. On the basis of these findings, the authors recommend a revision of the concept definitions as well as of the items. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

A validation study of molecular descriptors for the rational design of peptide libraries

Components with DNA breaking activity in soy sauce were investigated. It was found that there were water soluble high molecular weight DNA breaking components in soy sauce. Two DNA breaking components in the ethyl acetate extract of soy sauce were identified as fragrant components, 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF) and 4-hydroxy-2(or 5)-ethyl-5(or 2)-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (HEMF), in addition to the previously characterized DNA breaking fragrant component 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (HMF) (Hiramoto et al., 1996b). Characterization of DNA breaking activity of HEMF was performed, and the mechanisms for the breaking were considered. HEMF cleaved the single strands of supercoiled pBR 322 DNA at pH 7.4 dose dependently and time dependently. DNA breaking was inhibited by superoxide dismutase, catalase, hydroxyl radical scavengers, spin trapping agents and metal chelators, and enhanced by Fe(III) ion. Electron spin resonance-spin trapping technique revealed the generation of hydroxyl radical. Hence, active oxygen species derived from interaction of HEMF with metal ions and oxygen participated in the cleavage. HEMF exhibited mutagenicity to Salmonella typhimurium TA100 without metabolic activation and induced micronucleated mouse peripheral reticulocytes.     

Follow-up techniques in a large-scale test validation study.

Records were kept on success of techniques used to obtain follow-up information on occupational and educational status of 12,615 individuals 2 yrs. after being tested in Grade 12. Various techniques were used, with varying degrees of success. The information was obtained for most individuals through use of letters, an effective and low-cost technique for obtaining factual information. It was found to be worthwhile to send as many as 3 letters, if necessary, before trying another technique. Among the most successful techniques, in terms of percentages of attempts that were successful, were telephone calls, presonal visits, employment service records, and knowledge of individuals in the community. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Diagnosis and treatment of thyrotoxicosis in childhood. A European questionnaire study

A covering letter and a questionnaire covering the diagnosis and treatment of thyrotoxicosis in childhood was circulated between October 1992 and February 1993 amongst 672 European members of the European Thyroid Association (ETA) and members of the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology (ESPE). Almost 50% replied to the letter and 99 individuals or groups from 22 countries completed the questionnaire. A consensus was reached on the use of total thyroxine (T4) and/or free T4 and thyrotropin as routine diagnostic tools. Two-thirds included total triiodothyronine (T3) and/or free T3 and 32% used a thyrotropin-releasing hormone test. Surprisingly, thyroglobulin autoantibodies were used as a routine test by 78%; 63% included thyrotropin receptor antibodies and 60% microsomal antibodies, whereas only 50% measured thyroperoxidase antibodies. For thyroid imaging, 40% performed a thyroid scintigram and 56% measured the size of the thyroid gland by ultrasound. Antithyroid drugs (ATD) were the basic initial treatment of choice given by 99% of the respondents for children with uncomplicated Graves' disease. Carbimazole, methimazole and thiamazole were the most frequently used drugs, with a median initial dose of 0.8 mg.kg-1.day-1. Two-thirds added beta-blockers and a few used sedatives. The ATD dose was adjusted for each patient by 39%, whereas 56% combined ATD with T4 for long-term treatment; 84% gave treatment for a fixed period (44% for 1-2 years). Surgery was considered the treatment of choice in children with an adenoma (83%), with a nodular (53%) or large goiter (16%) and recurrence after ATD (14%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Teacher efficacy: A construct validation.

Developed an instrument to measure teacher efficacy and examined the relationship between teacher efficacy and observable teacher behaviors. Factor analysis of responses from 208 elementary school teachers to a 30-item Teacher Efficacy Scale yielded 2 substantial factors that corresponded to A. Bandura's (see record 1977-25733-001) 2-factor theoretical model of self-efficacy. A multitrait–multimethod analysis that supported both convergent and discriminant validity analyzed data from 55 teachers on 3 traits (teacher efficacy, verbal ability, and flexibility) across 2 methods of measurement. Finally, classroom observations related to academic focus and teacher feedback behaviors indicated differences between 8 high- and low-efficacy teachers in time spent in whole class and small group instruction, teacher use of criticism, and teacher persistence in failure situations. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A study of miscarriage: development and validation of the Perinatal Grief Intensity Scale

The author makes an attempt at considering the most important achievements in psychiatry which have taken place in the global scale during the passing century, and the direction taken up by the development of global psychiatry in the coming century. The 20th century was characterised not only by the impressive development of science, thanks to which completely new possibilities opened up for global psychiatry, but also by the presence of extreme events that took place as a result of false ideologies such as fascism and communism. In the 20th century concepts like homicide, holocaust, the extermination of the mentally ill, experiments on people that are prohibited by the ethics of medicine and the elementary rules of humanity, etc. The paper includes the achievements of diagnosis and therapy of psychiatric disorders and the latest organisational solutions as well as the perspectives for further development of psychiatry. The author also implies the aims that psychiatry has to take up due to the numerous threats from our civilization: the technical-technological development, pollution of the natural environment, the negative changes in human values, the rising brutality in interhuman relations due to racial, national and religious conflicts and terrorism, the disappearing feeling of being safe in society, vision of hunger and poverty in many countries on a few continents, the danger of an epidemic outbreak of new unknown diseases caused by viral mutations, or genetics--the possible negative effects of genetic engineering (cloning of humans), etc. The author tries to define the role of psychiatry in preventing the threats of civilization.     

The patient exit interview as an assessment of physician-delivered smoking intervention: A validation study.

In evaluating the efficacy of physician-delivered counseling interventions for health behavior changes such as smoking cessation, a major challenge is determining the degree to which interventions are implemented by physicians. The Patient Exit Interview (PEI; J. Ockene et al., 1991) is a brief measure of a patient's perception of the content and quantity of smoking cessation intervention received from his or her physician. One hundred eight current smokers seen in a primary care clinic completed a PEI following their physician visit. Participants were 45% male, 95% Caucasian, with a mean age of 42 years and an average of 22 years of smoking. The PEI correlated well with a criterion measure of an audiotape assessment of the physician–patient interaction (r?=?.67, p?