Reasons for drinking, alcohol use, and alcoholism among Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites.

Estimated associations of subjective reasons for drinking with heavy drinking (HD), frequent drinking (FD), and alcohol abuse or dependence (AAOD). Respondents were 725 Mexican-American and 915 non-Hispanic White community residents who reported drinking at least once in the 6 mo before being interviewed. Each reason for drinking and number of reasons given for drinking were associated with HD, FD, or AAOD. However, multivariate models suggested that different reasons may be associated with different types of alcohol involvement. Cultural differences in alcohol involvement were typically not accounted for by cultural differences in reasons for drinking. Drinking to cheer up or to loosen up around people and drinking to induce sleep had different associations with HD and AAOD in different cultural groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessment of depression in adolescents using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.

Operating characteristics of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were examined by using data from 4 samples of students in Grades 9–12. The CES-D was found to have good internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Dimensionality was comparable to that found for adults. Structure varied little by order of assessment (Trial 1 of Trial 2), age, or gender. Salience of items, in terms of rank order of mean item scores, was remarkably similar to that reported for college and general adult samples. With the standard cutoff score of 16 or more, half of the high school students were classified as depressed. There was a pronounced gender effect, with proportionately more women reporting depressive symptoms across the 4 samples. Although it appears that the CES-D scale may be appropriate for use with adolescents, the issues of stability of scores over time, appropriate cutoff scores, and usefulness in detecting cases of clinical depression remain unresolved. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Depressive symptoms among Korean immigrants: Assessment of a translation of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale.

Assesses the utility of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale (CES–D) for identifying symptoms of depression among a sample of Korean immigrants in Canada. Evidence that supports the content, construct, and concurrent validity of a Korean version of this instrument (the CES–D—K) is presented, and the authors recommend that the CES–D—K be used in both cross-cultural and intranational investigations involving Korean populations. It is recommended, however, that the Positive Affect items be deleted when computing CES–D—K scores to avoid overestimating the number of Korean immigrants manifesting high levels of psychological distress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) as a screening instrument for depression among community-residing older adults.

The efficacy of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) as a screener for clinical depression was examined in a sample of 1.005 community-residing adults (age range?=?50–96). Presence of a depressive disorder was determined by diagnostic interview. Analyses revealed that neither age, gender, cognitive impairment, functional impairment, physical disease, nor social desirability had a significant negative effect on the psychometric properties or screening efficacy of the CES-D. These results indicate that there was no significant degradation in the ability of the CES-D to screen for depression among community-residing elderly adults. This conclusion must be tempered by the fact that the sample did not include participants with the more disabling forms of cognitive or functional impairment and physical illness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Depressive symptoms among American Indian adolescents: Psychometric characteristics of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

The psychometric characteristics of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES–D) were investigated with American Indian boarding school students (N?=?188; Grades 9–12). The CES–D showed good internal consistency (α?=?.82). Its dimensional structure was different from that described for adults, both Indian and non-Indian. Of the Indian students, 58% were classified as depressed, using the standard cutoff score of 16 or more, consistent with past studies of this age group. Alternative scoring methods were considered, based on persistence of symptoms as well as derived Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) and Research Diagnostic Criteria algorithms. Major gender differences were observed in the prevalence of reported symptoms as well as patterns of endorsement for certain CES–D items. The CES–D should be used with caution with American Indian adolescents, given the observed variation in its dimensional structure and uncertainty regarding appropriate cutoff scores. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measurement properties of the Center for Epidemiologic studies—Depression Scale in a homeless population.

The measurement properties of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale (CES-D; L. S. Radloff, 1977) were evaluated in a probability sample of homeless adults residing in a large and demographically diverse community. The findings from this investigation suggest that the CES-D is a reliable measure of depressive symptoms among homeless adults and that the factor structure of the scale replicates the factor structure found in the general population. Change in the CES-D scores was associated with change in residential status, with participants who had made a transition from homelessness to regular domicile, reporting significantly lower levels of depressive symptomatology. This result indicates the scale's sensitivity to current depressive mood, as affected by significant life events encountered by homeless persons. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Expectancies for driving under the influence of alcohol among Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites

A random sample of 1418 (40.8% male) Hispanics and 501 (46.1% male) non-Hispanic Whites were surveyed about their behavioral expectations for driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages (DUI). Hispanics reported more often than Whites that the effects of DUI would be driving carelessly, being angry at other drivers, feeling nervous, losing the respect of friends, feeling guilty, feeling too tired to drive, and losing their self-respect. There were gender differences among Hispanics but not among Whites. Hispanic abstainers reported the likelihood of the various outcomes more frequently than drinkers although drinking status produced no statistically significant differences among non-Hispanic Whites.     

Measurement properties of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in older populations.

Two cross-sectional samples of adults were administered the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Confirmatory item factor analysis showed that L. S. Radloff's (see record 1979-10129-001) four factor model fit the data well, but that the four factors were highly intercorrelated. A simultaneous second-order factor model fitting a single second-order Depression factor also fit well. Multiple group analyses of the first-order solution yielded invariant unstandardized item factor loadings across samples and age groups. A Cohort (Age)?×?Sex ANOVA on the total and subscale scores revealed lower total CES-D and subscale (Well-Being and Depressive Affect) scores for older persons. The Somatic subscale showed no significant age differences. The results support the measurement validity of the CES-D for depression screening in older adult populations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measurement Equivalence of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Latino and Anglo Adolescents: A National Study.

The cross-ethnic measurement equivalence of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; L. S. Radloff, 1977) was examined using a subsample of adolescents (N=10,691) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Configural and metric invariance, as well as functional and scalar equivalence, were examined for Anglo American, Mexican American, Cuban American, and Puerto Rican American youths age 12-18 years. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in each group provided evidence of configural invariance for European and Mexican American adolescents but not for Cuban and Puerto Rican youths. A 2-group CFA for Anglo and Mexican Americans demonstrated partial metric invariance for these groups. Multigroup structural equation modeling indicated similar relations between CES-D scores and self-esteem for all 4 groups, supporting cross-ethnic functional and scalar equivalence. The results have implications for using the CES-D in cross-ethnic research and, more broadly, for the assessment and treatment of depression in Latinos. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Are old people more depressed? Cross-sectional data on Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale factors.

Age differences on the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were examined for 4 age–cohort groups: 20–39 years (n?=?548), 40–54 years (n?=?218), 55–69 years (n?=?352), and 70–98 years (n?=?212). On total CES-D, there was a significant age effect and quadratic trend, with means for the middle aged least and those for the oldest most elevated. On 4 CES-D subscales—Depressed Mood, Psychomotor Retardation, Lack of Well-being (i.e., reverse-scored items), and Interpersonal Difficulties—the oldest group scored highest only on lack of well-being. Somatic symptoms of depression were not elevated. Young adults scored highest on depressed mood. Adults who are now old were not generally characterized by elevated self-reports of depressive symptoms; however, on items asking whether the respondent has a hopeful outlook, those aged 70 and older were more likely to endorse a lack of such positive feelings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sexuality among Mexican Americans: A case of sexual stereotyping.

Examined sexual preferences and practices among 165 Mexican-American (86 male, 79 female) and 99 Anglo (47 male, 52 female) undergraduates. The instrument used was the Sexual Knowledge and Attitude Test (SKAT; Lief & Reed, 1972). The 1st section of the SKAT consists of 4 attitude subscales dealing with autoeroticism, abortion, heterosexual relations, and sexual myths. The 2nd section includes 50 true-false items testing knowledge of the biological, psychological, and social facts of human sexuality. The last section focuses on the respondent's sexual value system and practices. The effect of ethnicity was assessed controlling for Ss' age, gender, religious preference, and socioeconomic status. The dependent variables were Ss' sexual attitudes, knowledge, sexual value system, and sexual practices. Significant differences were obtained between Mexican Americans and Anglos in attitudes, knowledge, value system, and practices, in clear support of the hypotheses. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mayo's Older Americans Normative Studies (MOANS): Factor structure of a core battery.

Confirmatory factor analyses were completed separately with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Revised (WAIS—R) and the Wechsler Memory Scale—Revised (WMS—R). Confirmatory factor analyses were also performed on a "core battery" composed of the WAIS—R, WMS—R, and the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) when administered together. Participants were from the MOANS, which include 526 healthy, community-dwelling people ages 55–97 yrs. LISREL analysis of the WAIS—R found a 3-factor model to be acceptable, supporting extension of the Verbal Comprehension (VC), Perceptual Organization (PO), and Freedom from Distractibility model of the WAIS—R to "normal" people ages 55–97 yrs. A 2-factor model of the WMS—R involving attention and general memory was supported. A 5-factor model of the core battery was supported and included VC, PO, Attention, Learning, and Retention. The Retention factor included Logical Memory, Visual Reproduction, and AVLT percent retention scores. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Depression and emotional reactivity: Variation among Asian Americans of East Asian descent and European Americans.

Studies of Western samples (e.g., European Americans [EAs]) suggest that depressed individuals tend to show diminished emotional reactivity (J. G. Gehricke & A. J. Fridlund, 2002; G. E. Schwartz, P. L. Fair, P. Salt, M. R. Mandel, & G. L. Klerman, 1976a, 1976b). Do these findings generalize to individuals oriented to other cultures (e.g., East Asian cultures)? The authors compared the emotional reactions (i.e., reports of emotional experience, facial behavior, and physiological reactivity) of depressed and nondepressed EAs and Asian Americans of East Asian descent (AAs) to sad and amusing films. Their results were consistent with previous findings: Depressed EAs showed a pattern of diminished reactivity to the sad film (less crying, less intense reports of sadness) compared with nondepressed participants. In contrast, depressed AAs showed a pattern of heightened emotional reactivity (greater crying) compared with nondepressed participants. Across cultural groups, depressed and nondepressed participants did not differ in their reports of amusement or facial behavior during the amusing film. Physiological reactivity to the film clips did not differ between depressed and control participants for either cultural group. Thus, although depression may influence particular aspects of emotional reactivity across cultures (e.g., crying), the specific direction of this influence may depend on prevailing cultural norms regarding emotional expression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differences between Native Americans and Whites on the California Psychological Inventory.

Minimal data exist regarding the performance of Native Americans on standardized self-report personality instruments. In this study, the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) was administered to a nonpsychiatric sample of 70 Native American adults and 100 White adults of equivalent age, educational background, and socioeconomic status. Native Americans scored significantly lower than the equivalent White sample on a number of CPI scales. These results appear to reflect primarily differences between Native American and White women, which may be a function of differences in acculturation and role expectations. Ethnicity appears to be an important factor in the production of differential response patterns on the CPI. The results suggest that Native Americans, particularly women, may be at a disadvantage when the CPI is used for selection purposes unless their responses are compared to cultural norms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of prenatal care utilization and maternal risk factors on pregnancy outcome between Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites

We have investigated, by Northern blot analysis, the hypothalamic gene expression [messenger RNA (mRNA)] of two appetite stimulating neuropeptides, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) in lean (+/+) and genetically obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats at 11, 24 and 40 weeks of age and their responsiveness to food deprivation. At 11 weeks of age, hypothalamic NPY mRNA levels of fa/fa rats were similar to those observed in lean littermates. However, NPY mRNA levels of fa/fa rats were significantly greater than those of lean rats at 24 (+126%; P < 0.01) and 40 (+65%; P < 0.05) weeks of age. Food deprivation caused a significant increase in NPY mRNA levels in both lean and fa/fa Zucker rats at 11 and 24 weeks of age, but not at 40 weeks old rats. Hypothalamic GAL mRNA showed a different pattern of change. The relative content of GAL mRNA in 11 week old obese rats was significantly lower (-68%; P < 0.05) than that of lean rats, while GAL mRNA was significantly higher in 40 week old (+57%; P < 0.05) obese rats compared to their lean littermates. At 24 weeks of age, hypothalamic GAL mRNA levels did not differ between lean and obese rats. Food deprivation induced no change in hypothalamic GAL mRNA in lean rats of all 3 ages; however, it caused an increase of GAL mRNA in obese rats at 11 (+60%; P < 0.05) and 24 (+44%; P < 0.05) weeks, but not at 40 weeks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Prevalence and impact of risk factors for lower body difficulty among Mexican Americans, African Americans, and whites

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to estimate the prevalence of sociodemographic, health behavior, chronic disease, and impairment factors and their impact on difficulty in lower body function among two age-cohorts (51-61 and 71-81 years) of Mexican Americans, African Americans, and Whites. METHODS: Reports from 8,727 and 4,510 self-respondents of the 1992 baseline Health and Retirement Survey and the 1993 baseline Assets and Health Dynamics Study, respectively, were used to estimate prevalence. Multiple linear regression of the 4-item lower body difficulty scale (alpha = .80) was used to estimate the direct effects of the risk factors within the age-cohort and ethnicity groups. RESULTS: Overall, the risk factors are more prevalent among both minority groups and the older age-cohort. Lower body deficits are particularly high among Mexican Americans and the younger age-cohort of African Americans. The impact of risk factors does not vary much by ethnicity or age-cohort. Female gender, pain, arthritis, and heart and lung disease are the major risk factors, and they account for about one-third of the variance in lower body difficulty for each group. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to prevent or reduce lower body difficulty should pay particular attention to pain, arthritis, and heart and lung disease. The central role of sociodemographic and behavioral factors in chronic disease argues for their continued inclusion in disability modeling and prevention.     

Psychometric properties of the Geriatric Depression Scale among the institutionalized aged.

Validity and reliability of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were examined among 806 nursing home and congregate apartment residents (mean age 84 years). The scale was highly internally consistent and, although a clean factor structure emerged, basically unidimensional. Test-retest reliability at 1 mo was good, but correlations with staff-rated depression were only moderate. GDS-based classifications of respondents as suffering possible major, minor, or no depression were fairly consistent with those based on a symptom checklist and with clinical diagnoses. However, both the GDS and the checklist yielded high false negative rates vis à vis clinically diagnosed minor depression. There were no differences in reliability or validity for cognitively impaired and intact groups. GDS responses did not vary with age or length of institutionalization, but there was a positive correlation with functional disability and ill health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factor structure and construct validity of the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms.

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the underlying structure of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia as measured by the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). Schizophrenia patients (N?=?457) were assessed with the SANS on at least 1 of 2 occasions: (a) 2–4 weeks after an index hospitalization, and (b) after a clinical stabilization period that lasted 3–6 months. Results of an exploratory factor analysis conducted for the first assessment (n?=?401) were largely supported by the CFAs conducted on the data at the second assessment (n?=?345). The CFA solution included 3 factors: Diminished Expression, Inattention-Alogia, and Social Amotivation. Analysis of patients' clinical characteristics, treatment outcome, chronicity of the illness, premorbid history, and social adjustment supported the validity of the 3 factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and validation of the Enculturation Scale for Filipino Americans.

Enculturation is the degree to which a person adheres to the values and behaviors of an indigenous or ethnic culture. This study was conducted to develop the Enculturation Scale for Filipino Americans (ESFA). Items were generated from a literature review, interviews with 5 Filipino American academic experts, and a survey of 24 cultural informants. Two community samples of Filipino Americans (Ns = 281 and 269) and 1 sample of non-Filipino Americans (N = 84) completed the ESFA. The Filipino American samples also completed existing enculturation/acculturation measures for Asian Americans and measures of subjective well-being. In factor analyses, 3 general enculturation dimensions—Connection With Homeland, Interpersonal Norms, and Conservatism—replicated well across samples. Internal consistency reliability estimates for the ESFA subscales were high, and construct validity was supported by the pattern of relationships with alternative, but less culture-specific, enculturation/acculturation measures, as well as immigration, generational status, and cultural identity variables. Item response theory methods were used to develop a short form of the ESFA. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)