Relationships between the National Adult Reading Test and memory.

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate the relationships between performance on the National Adult Reading Test (NART) and retrospective, concurrent, and prospective memory functioning, as well as between the NART and change in memory functioning over time. Method: NART administered in 2005 was used as a predictor for memory functioning in 2001, 2005, and 2008, and change in memory functioning from 2001 to 2008. Outcome measures were Logical Memory II, Letter-Number Sequencing, and Spatial Span from the Wechsler Memory Scale. Participants were 319 healthy women aged 40–79 years at baseline (2001). Results: Significant correlations were found between the number of errors on the NART and memory measures in 2001, 2005, and 2008; Logical Memory II (r = ?.41, ?.38, ?.39, respectively), Letter-Number Sequencing (r = ?.38, ?.35, ?.36, respectively) and Spatial Span (r = ?.23, ?.22, ?.19, respectively; all p values     

The road to forgiveness: A meta-analytic synthesis of its situational and dispositional correlates.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 137(2) of Psychological Bulletin (see record 2011-03899-006). In Table 2, weighted population correlations and associated standard errors and confidence intervals are incorrectly reported. In Table 3, weighted population correlations and associated confidence intervals are incorrectly reported, as well as the Q statistic for trait forgiveness. Corrected data are presented. The authors note that substantive interpretations of the results are not affected by the corrections. The median absolute value correction for the weighted population correlations in both tables is r = .01.] Forgiveness has received widespread attention among psychologists from social, personality, clinical, developmental, and organizational perspectives alike. Despite great progress, the forgiveness literature has witnessed few attempts at empirical integration. Toward this end, we meta-analyze results from 175 studies and 26,006 participants to examine the correlates of interpersonal forgiveness (i.e., forgiveness of a single offender by a single victim). A tripartite forgiveness typology is proposed, encompassing victims' (a) cognitions, (b) affect, and (c) constraints following offense, with each consisting of situational and dispositional components. We tested hypotheses with respect to 22 distinct constructs, as correlates of forgiveness, that have been measured across different fields within psychology. We also evaluated key sample and study characteristics, including gender, age, time, and methodology as main effects and moderators. Results highlight the multifaceted nature of forgiveness. Variables with particularly notable effects include intent (r? = ?.49), state empathy (r? = .51), apology (r? = .42), and state anger (r? = ?.41). Consistent with previous theory, situational constructs are shown to account for greater variance in forgiveness than victim dispositions, although within-category differences are considerable. Sample and study characteristics yielded negligible effects on forgiveness, despite previous theorizing to the contrary: The effect of gender was nonsignificant (r? = .01), and the effect of age was negligible (r? = .06). Preliminary evidence suggests that methodology may exhibit some moderating effects. Scenario methodologies led to enhanced effects for cognitions; recall methodologies led to enhanced effects for affect. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attitudes toward professional counseling among Asian-American college students: Acculturation, conceptions of mental illness, and loss of face.

The present study attempted to examine the influence of culture-bound barriers such as acculturation status, loss of face, and conception of mental health on the attitudes of Asian American college students (n = 134) toward seeking professional psychological help. An adapted Acculturation Attitude Scale (AAS; U. Kim, 1988), Zane's (1991) Loss of Face Scale (LOFS), a 10-factor Conception of Mental Health Scale (CMHS; Nunnally, 1961), and a modified version of the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPHS) with four subscales (Fischer & Turner, 1970) were used in this study. Results support the hypothesis that acculturation and conceptions of mental health were significantly correlated with attitudes toward mental health services. Loss of face was also significantly correlated with attitudes of being open to professional counseling. Implications for mental health professionals working with Asian Americans are highlighted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cross-validation of item selection and scoring for the SF-12 Health Survey in nine countries: results from the IQOLA Project. International Quality of Life Assessment

Data from general population surveys (n = 1483 to 9151) in nine European countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) were analyzed to cross-validate the selection of questionnaire items for the SF-12 Health Survey and scoring algorithms for 12-item physical and mental component summary measures. In each country, multiple regression methods were used to select 12 SF-36 items that best reproduced the physical and mental health summary scores for the SF-36 Health Survey. Summary scores then were estimated with 12 items in three ways: using standard (U.S.-derived) SF-12 items and scoring algorithms; standard items and country-specific scoring; and country-specific sets of 12 items and scoring. Replication of the 36-item summary measures by the 12-item summary measures was then evaluated through comparison of mean scores and the strength of product-moment correlations. Product-moment correlations between SF-36 summary measures and SF-12 summary measures (standard and country-specific) were very high, ranging from 0.94-0.96 and 0.94-0.97 for the physical and mental summary measures, respectively. Mean 36-item summary measures and comparable 12-item summary measures were within 0.0 to 1.5 points (median = 0.5 points) in each country and were comparable across age groups. Because of the high degree of correspondence between summary physical and mental health measures estimated using the SF-12 and SF-36, it appears that the SF-12 will prove to be a practical alternative to the SF-36 in these countries, for purposes of large group comparisons in which the focus is on overall physical and mental health outcomes.     

Attention problems, inhibitory control, and intelligence index overlapping genetic factors: A study in 9-, 12-, and 18-year-old twins.

It is assumed that attention problems (AP) are related to impaired executive functioning. We investigated the association between AP and inhibitory control and tested to what extent the association was due to genetic factors shared with IQ. Data were available from 3 independent samples of 9-, 12-, and 18-year-old twins and their siblings (1,209 participants). AP were assessed with checklists completed by multiple informants. Inhibitory control was measured with the Stroop Color Word Task (Stroop, 1935), and IQ with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Wechsler et al., 2002) or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (Wechsler, 1997). AP and inhibitory control were only correlated in the 12-year-old cohort (r = .18), but appeared non-significant after controlling for IQ. Significant correlations existed between AP and IQ in 9- and 12-year olds (r = ?.26/–.34). Inhibitory control and IQ were correlated in all cohorts (r = ?.16, ?.24 and ?.35, respectively). Genetic factors that influenced IQ also influenced inhibitory control. We conclude that the association between AP and inhibitory control as reported in the literature may largely derive from genetic factors that are shared with IQ. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analysis of opinions regarding mental health benefits in comprehensive health care.

To assess the range of opinions regarding integration of mental health benefits and psychologists into the nation's health care system, a 116-item questionnaire was sent to a sample of the American Psychological Association's membership. The 624 respondents strongly endorsed coverage for traditionally defined (e.g., neuroses, psychoses) disorders treated by orthodox means (e.g., psychotherapy, medication). Ss tended to favor the federal government as a major source of funding for a national health care program, yet they preferred professional control of fee setting and quality assurance. A 2?×?2 MANOVA (Professional Identification?×?Degree) yielded some significant differences between groups with respect to these issues. However, the overall results are more noteworthy for the levels of agreement between groups. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Model stability of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale across cognitive impairment and severe depression.

The 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is used in a wide variety of clinical and research settings. The study's purpose was to further establish the validity of the 15-item GDS by exploring the underlying factor structure in a healthy, nondemented sample of older adults and then analyzing whether this factor structure remained stable across a sample of demented individuals and a sample of individuals with a history of depression 6 months after discharge from an inpatient psychiatric setting. A 2-factor model fit the data best in the exploratory analyses. The 2 factors, Life Satisfaction and General Depressive Affect, found in the nondemented sample (r = .39) remained stable across cognitive impairment (r = .12) but merged into a 1-factor model in the psychiatric sample (r = .93). The results indicate that nondepressed older adults with poor life satisfaction may be identified as depressed on screening instruments such as the 15-item GDS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correction to Fehr et al. (2010).

Reports an error in "The road to forgiveness: A meta-analytic synthesis of its situational and dispositional correlates" by Ryan Fehr, Michele J. Gelfand and Monisha Nag (Psychological Bulletin, 2010[Sep], Vol 136[5], 894-914). In Table 2, weighted population correlations and associated standard errors and confidence intervals are incorrectly reported. In Table 3, weighted population correlations and associated confidence intervals are incorrectly reported, as well as the Q statistic for trait forgiveness. Corrected data are presented. The authors note that substantive interpretations of the results are not affected by the corrections. The median absolute value correction for the weighted population correlations in both tables is r = .01. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2010-17510-010.) Forgiveness has received widespread attention among psychologists from social, personality, clinical, developmental, and organizational perspectives alike. Despite great progress, the forgiveness literature has witnessed few attempts at empirical integration. Toward this end, we meta-analyze results from 175 studies and 26,006 participants to examine the correlates of interpersonal forgiveness (i.e., forgiveness of a single offender by a single victim). A tripartite forgiveness typology is proposed, encompassing victims' (a) cognitions, (b) affect, and (c) constraints following offense, with each consisting of situational and dispositional components. We tested hypotheses with respect to 22 distinct constructs, as correlates of forgiveness, that have been measured across different fields within psychology. We also evaluated key sample and study characteristics, including gender, age, time, and methodology as main effects and moderators. Results highlight the multifaceted nature of forgiveness. Variables with particularly notable effects include intent (r? = ?.49), state empathy (r? = .51), apology (r? = .42), and state anger (r? = ?.41). Consistent with previous theory, situational constructs are shown to account for greater variance in forgiveness than victim dispositions, although within-category differences are considerable. Sample and study characteristics yielded negligible effects on forgiveness, despite previous theorizing to the contrary: The effect of gender was nonsignificant (r? = .01), and the effect of age was negligible (r? = .06). Preliminary evidence suggests that methodology may exhibit some moderating effects. Scenario methodologies led to enhanced effects for cognitions; recall methodologies led to enhanced effects for affect. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mental health screening: Utility of the Psychological Screening Inventory.

The Psychological Screening Inventory (PSI) was designed for use as a rapid mental health screening device to identify persons who should receive more extensive evaluation. This study evaluated the accuracy of the three screening scales using receiver operating characteristic (ROC), positive predictive power-negative predictive power, and sensitivity-specificity analyses. Persons with major psychiatric disorder (N = 536) were distinguished from control participants by the Alienation scale with an area underneath the ROC curve (AUC) of .905; persons with significant antisocial behavior (N = 410), by the Social Nonconformity (Sn) scale with an AUC of .811; and persons with general psychological distress (N = 620), by the Discomfort (Di) scale with an AUC of .773. There were comparable findings for the other comparison procedures, and some results were better for men and women separately. An empirically developed index (the Overall Screening Index--Revised) showed significant improvement over the Di scale in identifying persons with general psychological distress (AUC = .842). These findings support the utility of the PSI for its intended purpose. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measuring perceptions of stigmatization by others for seeking psychological help: Reliability and validity of a new stigma scale with college students.

Fear of being stigmatized is the most cited reason why individuals avoid psychotherapy. Conceptually, this fear should be strongest when individuals consider the reactions of those they interact with. Across 5 samples, the authors developed the Perceptions of Stigmatization by Others for Seeking Help (PSOSH) scale. In Sample 1 (N = 985), the 5 items of the PSOSH were selected (α = .91). In Sample 2 (N = 842), the unidimensional factor structure of the scale was examined across a diverse sample. In Sample 3 (N = 506), concurrent validity was supported through moderate associations with 3 different stigma measures (i.e., public stigma toward counseling, r = .31; public stigma toward mental illness, r = .20; and self-stigma, r = .37). In Sample 4 (N = 144), test–retest reliability across a 3-week period was calculated (.82). Finally, in Sample 5 (N = 130), reliability (α = .78) and validity were explored with a sample experiencing symptoms of psychological distress. Relationships between variables (i.e., public stigma toward counseling, r = .31, and self-stigma, r = .40) were similar to those in previous samples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Unemployment and mental wellbeing: a factory closure study in Finland

The mental wellbeing of the entire personnel (n = 211) of a wood-processing factory located in H?meenlinna, Finland was studied by mailing a questionnaire to the subjects 6 months after the factory was closed down. The entire personnel (n = 305) of a similar wood-processing factory acted as a control group. Mental wellbeing was measured by means of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ score), the 13-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI score), and the 13-item questionnaire assessing psychosomatic symptoms. Seventy-nine per cent of the study group and 65% of the control group returned the questionnaire. The two groups were similar sociodemographically. Mental wellbeing was poorer in the men of the study group than in the controls. No such difference was detected in women. Mental wellbeing was poorer in all age groups in the study group, especially in married men, than in the controls. The impaired mental wellbeing in the men in the study group was associated with insufficient social support, subjectively poor health, low income and uncertainty about the future. Based on a discriminant analysis, the two groups differed most in terms of GHQ score, income, sex and BDI score.     

Performance of the Norwegian SF-36 Health Survey in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. II. A comparison of the SF-36 with disease-specific measures

The performance of the SF-36 was compared with disease-specific health status instruments (Arthritis Impact Measurements Scales [AIMS2], Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire [MHAQ] and visual analogue scales) in 1030 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (mean age 62.3 years, 79% females, mean disease duration 12.9 years, 48% rheumatoid factor positive). The scales performed similarly in known group comparisons (age cohorts, disease severity, disease activity, comorbidity). The SF-36 physical functioning scale correlated -0.69 and -0.73 with the MHAQ and AIMS2 physical scales, respectively. A strong negative correlation was found with the walking and bending subscale of AIMS2 (r = -0.80), a substantial negative correlation with mobility (r = -0.65), and moderate correlations with the scales for hand/finger and arm function (r = -0.52 and r = -0.53). Frequency distributions of scores revealed more skewed distributions of the AIMS2 physical scale and the MHAQ scale than the physical functioning scale of the SF36, whereas the pain and mental health scales were distributed similarly. In conclusion, the SF-36 performs well in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The physical functioning scale of the SF-36 does not seem to capture all aspects of physical health in rheumatoid arthritis patients, but may be more sensitive than disease-specific measures to low levels of physical disability.     

Psychological effects on surviving family members of seeing the deceased person after forensic autopsy.

In medicolegal autopsy, it is essential to consider the emotions experienced by relatives of the deceased person. This study examined the psychological effects on surviving family members of seeing the deceased person’s body after forensic autopsy. Participants (n = 359) were surveyed by means of a questionnaire designed to measure posttraumatic symptoms; 62 participants had been involved in traumatic events related to the bereavement (trauma-involved group), and 297 participants had not (no-involvement group). Statistical analyses using structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that the model implying a significant difference between these groups was better fitted, than that implying no difference. The trauma-involved group showed a higher score for posttraumatic symptoms than the no-involvement group (Ms = .32 and .00, respectively). However, there was a negative correlation in the trauma-involved group between seeing the deceased person after forensic autopsy and posttraumatic symptoms (r = ?.43), but there was no correlation (r = ?.01) in the no-involvement group. Furthermore, factor structure for posttraumatic symptoms in bereaved people showed that treatment focused on avoidance behavior would be most effective Japan. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Team Role Test: Development and validation of a team role knowledge situational judgment test.

The main objectives in this research were to introduce the concept of team role knowledge and to investigate its potential usefulness for team member selection. In Study 1, the authors developed a situational judgment test, called the Team Role Test, to measure knowledge of 10 roles relevant to the team context. The criterion-related validity of this measure was examined in 2 additional studies. In a sample of academic project teams (N = 93), team role knowledge predicted team member role performance (r = .34). Role knowledge also provided incremental validity beyond mental ability and the Big Five personality factors in the prediction of role performance. The results of Study 2 revealed that the predictive validity of role knowledge generalizes to team members in a work setting (N = 82, r = .30). The implications of the results for selection in team environments are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Meta-Analytic Review of Prospective Memory and Aging.

A meta-analysis of prospective memory (PM) studies revealed that in laboratory settings younger participants outperform older participants on tests of both time- and event-based PM (rs=-.39 and -.34, respectively). Event-based PM tasks that impose higher levels of controlled strategic demand are associated with significantly larger age effects than event-based PM tasks that are supported by relatively more automatic processes (rs=-.40 vs. -.14, respectively). However, contrary to the prevailing view in the literature, retrospective memory as measured by free recall is associated with significantly greater age-related decline (r=-.52) than PM, and older participants perform substantially better than their younger counterparts in naturalistic PM studies (rs=.35 and .52 for event- and time-based PM, respectively). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measuring avoidance in medical rehabilitation.

Objective: To establish psychometric properties of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ), a measure of avoidance, in medical rehabilitation populations. Study Design: Cross-sectional and longitudinal. Setting: Three acute, inpatient rehabilitation units. Participants: One hundred thirty-nine adults with spinal cord dysfunction, stroke, amputation, or orthopedic surgery. Measures: AAQ, Hope Scale, Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, Hopkins Rehabilitation Engagement Rating Scale, Functional Independence Measure, Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique, Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results: The AAQ has adequate internal consistency (α = .70), is best understood with a two-factor solution, is positively correlated with depression (r = .36, p r = .41, p r = ?.51, p r = ?.33, p r = ?.32, p     

College students' perceptions of the value of psychological services: A comparison with APA's public education research.

The American Psychological Association's (APA) public education campaign, "Talk to Someone Who Can Help," was professionally researched and developed to educate the public about the availability and value of psychological services. What about its application to the 12 million college students poised to become the future consumers of our health and mental health services? By sampling this population, the authors sought to extend the application of APA's public opinion research to college communities and their providers of psychological services. Results and comparisons are presented in this article, along with implications for educating and serving this specialized client population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construction and validation of a Thurstone scale of liberalism—conservatism.

A 23-item scale of liberalism—conservatism was constructed by the Thurstone method of equal-appearing intervals and found to correlate highly (point-biserial r = .64) with a naturalistic behavioral criterion consisting of self-selected, actively campaigning political groups (Young Democrats and Young Republicans). The scale yielded an internal-consistency coefficient of .79, indicating substantial common variance among items, and a coefficient of reproducibility of .87, indicating quasiscalability. A considerably greater proportion of non-perfect scale types, as evidenced by a significantly greater number of errors of reproducibility (p     

Development of the quality of life in epilepsy inventory

We developed an instrument to measure health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in epilepsy. A 99-item inventory was constructed from the RAND 36-Item Health Survey (generic core), with 9 additional generic items, 48 epilepsy-targeted items, and 6 other items concerning attitudes toward epilepsy and self-esteem. We administered the 99-item inventory to 304 adults with epilepsy at 25 epilepsy centers. Patients and patient-designated proxies completed the inventory and were retested 1-91 days later. A multitrait scaling analysis of these data led to retention of 86 items distributed in 17 multiitem scales (Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.78 to 0.92). Factor analysis of the 17 multiitem scales yielded four underlying dimensions of health: an epilepsy-targeted dimension, a cognitive factor, mental health, and physical health. Construct validity was supported by significant patient-proxy correlations for all scales and correlations between neuropsychologic tests and self-reported emotional and cognitive function (all p values < 0.05). There were significant negative correlations between the four factor scores derived from the HRQOL scales and neurotoxicity, systemic toxicity, and health care utilization (except for the correlation between mental health factor and health care utilization; all p values < 0.05). Patients who were seizure-free in the preceding year reported better HRQOL for the overall score, three of the four factor scores, and 8 of the 17 scale scores than did patients with a high frequency of seizures. Relative validity analysis showed that the epilepsy-targeted factor and three of its four component scales were more sensitive to categorization of patients by severity of seizure frequency and type than scales tapping physical health, mental health, or cognitive function. These cross-sectional data support the reliability and validity of this measure of HRQOL in epilepsy. The addition of an epilepsy-targeted supplement to the generic core improved the sensitivity to severity of epilepsy. The 86 items included in the field testing were supplemented by three additional items to form the Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-89) inventory.