Family satisfaction predicts life satisfaction trajectories over the first 5 years after traumatic brain injury.

Objectives: Examined the influence of functional impairment, stable marital status, and family satisfaction on life satisfaction trajectories for 609 individuals (435 men, 174 women) over the first 5 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Measures: Participants completed the Family Satisfaction Scale (FSS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and the Life Satisfaction Index (LSI) at years 1, 2, 4, and 5 after sustaining a TBI. Results: Trajectory modeling revealed that higher family satisfaction was associated with increases in life satisfaction for individuals with less functional impairment. Stable marital status was not significantly associated with life satisfaction trajectories. Implications: Family satisfaction appears to have pronounced beneficial effects on life satisfaction for persons with less functional impairment after TBI regardless of marital status. In contrast, a stable marriage appears to have no apparent benefits to self-reported life satisfaction over the first 5 years post-TBI. Theoretical and clinical implications of these results are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relation entre les satisfactions liées à trois r?les sociaux et la satisfaction de vie chez les femmes au foyer.

Determined the roles of marital satisfaction, parental satisfaction, and satisfaction with housework in the prediction of life satisfaction among housewives. 177 women (aged 22–49 yrs) completed measures including the Life Satisfaction Scale (Blais et al, 1989), and the satisfaction score of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Baillargeon et al, 1986). Ss were divided into 3 groups according to stages of the family life cycle, based on the age of the oldest child in the family. Marital satisfaction was a predictor of life satisfaction for all 3 stages of family life cycle. Parental satisfaction was predictive of life satisfaction at stage 1 (oldest child younger than 5 yrs old), while satisfaction with housework had influence at stage 2 (oldest child 6-12 yrs old). For stage 3 (oldest child in adolescence) satisfaction with housework and parental satisfaction were predictors of life satisfaction. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Global marital satisfaction versus marital adjustment: An empirical comparison of three measures.

Two measures of marital satisfaction, the Quality of Marriage Index (R. Norton; see record 1983-27053-001) and the Relationship Satisfaction Questionnaire (D. D. Burns and S. L. Sayers, 1992) were compared to a measure of marital adjustment, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (G. B. Spanier; see record 1977-00122-001). The measures showed excellent convergent validity (high correlations among each other and with other measures of marital functioning) and discriminant validity (low or nonsignificant correlations with psychopathology subscales). However, spouses' ratings of frequency of disagreements differed significantly from their ratings of satisfaction in the same areas. Formulas for converting scores among the measures are given, and the measures were found to have modest classification powers. The relative advantages and disadvantages of adjustment and satisfaction measures are discussed, and recommendations are made for when to use each type of measure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Testing the ruler with item response theory: Increasing precision of measurement for relationship satisfaction with the Couples Satisfaction Index.

The present study took a critical look at a central construct in couples research: relationship satisfaction. Eight well-validated self-report measures of relationship satisfaction, including the Marital Adjustment Test (MAT; H. J. Locke & K. M. Wallace, 1959), the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS; G. B. Spanier, 1976), and an additional 75 potential satisfaction items, were given to 5,315 online participants. Using item response theory, the authors demonstrated that the MAT and DAS provided relatively poor levels of precision in assessing satisfaction, particularly given the length of those scales. Principal-components analysis and item response theory applied to the larger item pool were used to develop the Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI) scales. Compared with the MAS and the DAS, the CSI scales were shown to have higher precision of measurement (less noise) and correspondingly greater power for detecting differences in levels of satisfaction. The CSI scales demonstrated strong convergent validity with other measures of satisfaction and excellent construct validity with anchor scales from the nomological net surrounding satisfaction, suggesting that they assess the same theoretical construct as do prior scales. Implications for research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tumor necrosis factor-beta in human pregnancy and labor

Findings are reported from a replicated evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Organizational Job Satisfaction Scale. Data lend strong support for the scale which assesses four dimensions of organizational job satisfaction. Principal component factor analysis of data from two independent samples of urban staff registered nurses (RNs) (n = 496; n = 532) confirmed four dimensions of pay, interaction, administration, and status. Cronbach's alpha for subscales ranged from .76 to .88. Pearson correlation coefficients for the interrelationships among subscales and an estimate of theta verified internal consistency. The Organizational Job Satisfaction Scale scores correlated significantly with a criterion measure of job enjoyment. Hypothesis testing of theoretically predictable relationships supported construct validity. Scores on the organizational job satisfaction subscales correlated significantly with automony, stress, and commitment. Item revisions and recommendations for future use of the instrument are discussed.     

The reliability of relationship satisfaction: A reliability generalization meta-analysis.

We conducted a reliability-generalization meta-analysis of 7 of the most frequently used measures of relationship satisfaction: the Locke–Wallace Marital Adjustment Test (LWMAT), the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMS), the Quality of Marriage Index, the Relationship Assessment Scale, the Marital Opinion Questionnaire, Karney and Bradbury's (1997) semantic differential scale, and the Couples Satisfaction Index. Six hundred thirty-nine reliability coefficients from 398 articles and 636,806 individuals provided internal consistency reliability estimates for this meta-analysis. We present the average score reliabilities for each measure, characterize the variance in score reliabilities across studies, and consider sample and study characteristics that are predictive of score reliability. Overall, the KMS and the LWMAT appear to be the strongest and weakest measures, respectively, from a reliability perspective. We discuss the importance of considering reliability invariance when making cross-group comparisons and provide recommendations for researchers when electing a measure of relationship satisfaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prediction of life satisfaction after spinal cord injury: A four-year longitudinal approach.

Responses to a life situation questionnaire were obtained in 1985 and 1989 from 286 adults with spinal cord injury. Multidimensional personality questionnaires were obtained in 1989 only. Multiple regression was used to identify the optimal predictors of 1989 satisfaction from predictor variables taken in 1985 and 1989. Results suggest that the predictors accounted for a greater percentage of variation in General Satisfaction compared with Economic Satisfaction. As expected, concurrent prediction was superior to the 4-yr longitudinal prediction. Adjustment measures were better predictors of satisfaction than were demographic and injury-related predictors (e.g., age, injury severity). A different pattern of predictors was identified between the 2 satisfaction areas. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Eosinophilic cystitis in children. Study of 4 cases

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development and initial psychometric properties of a new outcome measure to assess satisfaction with prosthesis in children with limb deficiencies. DESIGN: Parents of children with limb deficiency were surveyed during routine outpatient clinic visits. SETTING: Two outpatient pediatric clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-seven parents of children with limb deficiency aged 1 to 17 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The newly developed Child Amputee Prosthetics Project-Prosthesis Satisfaction Inventory (CAPP-PSI). RESULTS: Internal consistency reliability is high. Zero-order correlations with prosthesis wear/use patterns and with parent ratings of prosthesis appearance provide support for the construct validity of the CAPP-PSI. CONCLUSION: The CAPP-PSI is a promising, brief, parent-administered inventory for the assessment of prosthesis satisfaction in children with limb deficiency. It may be useful in future research for predicting prosthesis wear and use patterns in this population.     

Spirituality, quality of life, and functional recovery after medical rehabilitation.

Objectives: To explore (a) how spiritual well-being (WB), emotional WB, life satisfaction, and functional status change during and after rehabilitation; (b) the relationships among these variables over time; and (c) associations with demographic and clinical characteristics. Study Design: Longitudinal assessment across 3 time points. Participants and Setting: 155 adults admitted to a freestanding rehabilitation hospital. Main Outcome Measures: Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, Short-Form Health Survey, and the Functional Independence MeasureTM. Results: Emotional WB increased during rehabilitation, whereas life satisfaction and spiritual WB did not change; however, substantial subgroups of individuals experienced changes in life satisfaction and spiritual WB over time. Measures of spiritual WB, emotional WB, and life satisfaction were moderately correlated within and across time points. Persons making smaller functional gains during inpatient rehabilitation were least likely to experience increased emotional WB. Although African Americans as a group reported greater spiritual WB than other racial-ethnic groups on admission, they were least likely to increase in emotional WB over time.… (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Life satisfaction of people with physical disabilities: Relationship to personal assistance, disability status, and handicap.

Investigated 3 possible moderating factors associated with physical disabilities and with life satisfaction, including level of disability, level of handicap, and self-appraised adequacy of personal assistance. 45 persons with various physical disabilities who use personal assistance were given the Life Satisfaction Index Form A, selected subscales from the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale, the Craig Handicap Assessment and Report Technique, and a 19-item measure of personal assistance satisfaction. There were significant positive correlations between life satisfaction and both handicap and personal assistance satisfaction. Life satisfaction and degree of disability were not significantly correlated. There was no interaction between disability and personal assistance satisfaction with respect to either life satisfaction or handicap. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Job satisfaction: Environmental and genetic components.

Monozygotic twins reared apart from an early age were used to test the hypothesis that there is a significant genetic component to job satisfaction. 34 monozygotic twin pairs who had been reared apart completed the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire as part of a comprehensive work-history assessment. Three subscales were formed from the job satisfaction items to reflect intrinsic, extrinsic, and general satisfaction with the current (or major) job. Intraclass correlations were computed to estimate the proportion of observed variability resulting from genetic factors for all job satisfaction items and for the 3 subscales. Resulting values indicated that approximately 30% of the observed variance in general job satisfaction was due to genetic factors. Additional analysis indicated that these results obtained even when job characteristics such as complexity, motor skill requirements, and the physical demands were held constant via partialing methods. Finally, the data indicated significant heritabilities for several of these job characteristics, which is consistent with the hypothesis of a genetic disposition to seek and remain in similar environments (jobs). Implications of these findings for theories of job satisfaction, selection, and job enrichment are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differential expression of TGF-beta 1, 2 and 3 isotypes in Alzheimer''s disease: a comparative immunohistochemical study with cerebral infarction, aged human and mouse control brains

The Chinese version of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (C-DAS) was administered to 1,501 married adults, along with other instruments that assessed their psychosocial adjustment. Factor analysis showed that four factors were abstracted from the C-DAS (Dyadic Consensus, Dyadic Cohesion, Dyadic Satisfaction, and Affectional Expression); the factors extracted could be reproduced reliably in two random subsamples, as well as in the male and female samples. Although some areas of refinement are suggested, the present data generally support the universality of the concept of dyadic adjustment as indexed by the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Contrary to the data reported previously, the present factor structures based on the male and female samples were highly similar and stable.     

The relationship between oral contraceptives and adolescent sexual behavior

The AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale, Public School Revision, was administered to 2,618 elementary-school children from 7 to 13 years of age. The sample of children included White, Black, and Spanish-surname groups from regular and special-education classes. Factor analyses of domain scores indicated four dimensions of adaptive behavior: Functional Autonomy, Interpersonal Adjustment, Social Responsibility, and Intrapersonal Adjustment. Comparison of factor structure across school classification and age groups revealed the same four dimensions for all groups. Implications for the assessment of adaptive behavior were discussed.     

Measuring Adjustment to Chronic Skin Disorders: Validation of a Self-Report Measure.

This article describes the development of a questionnaire that assesses problems in adapting to chronic skin disorders, the Adjustment to Chronic Skin Diseases Questionnaire. Patients (N=442) with different skin disorders completed the original item pool. Principal-components analysis suggested a 6-factor solution that was largely replicated with 2 additional samples of 192 patients with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis and 165 patients with atopic dermatitis. Four of the subscales showed very good internal consistencies, retest reliabilities, and sufficient correlations with expert ratings: Social Anxiety/Avoidance, Itch-Scratch Cycle, Helplessness, and Anxious-Depressive Mood. Two short additional subscales, Impact on Quality of Life and Deficit in Active Coping, showed moderate internal consistencies, but good retest reliabilities. Correlations of the subscales with measures of depression, anxiety, and coping, and meaningful differences between dermatological subgroups support their construct validity. A treatment study showed that changes in some of the subscales correlated with changes in the severity of the skin condition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Life satisfaction and caregiving stress for individuals with stroke and their primary caregivers.

Life satisfaction scores of 38 individuals (aged 33–84 yrs) at 6 mo post-stroke were compared to disability ratings measured by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and handicap ratings measured by the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique. Satisfaction was lower for the patients than for the general population, and more strongly associated with disability than handicap. Satisfaction scores of the patients' primary caregivers were compared to a measure of caregiver stress and to caregivers' ratings of the patients' disability and handicap. Caregivers' satisfaction was somewhat lower than satisfaction in the general population and directly associated with caregiving stress scores. Caregiving stress scores were associated with the handicap scales of independence, mobility, and occupation, which were related to the physical disability scales of the FIM and to each other. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Quality of life in elderly patients with COPD: measurement and predictive factors

OBJECTIVE: To examine the interrater reliability and completion time of the Functional Assessment Measure, which is the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) plus additional items (FIM+FAM). DESIGN: Interrater reliability study. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation units of a postacute care brain injury rehabilitation program. PATIENTS: A convenience sample of 53 extremely severely impaired adult survivors of traumatic brain injuries (40 men, 13 women, mean age 38yrs). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Treatment team members' ratings of the 30 FIM +FAM items, and time taken to complete the FIM+FAM. RESULTS: Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) were within the good to excellent range (ICC > .60) for 29 of 30 items and for all subscales except psychosocial adjustment. Higher mean ICC values were obtained for motor domain items than for cognitive/psychosocial domain items. Treatment teams became progressively faster over a 12-week period in completing the FIM+FAM. The generally good to excellent range interrater reliability found in this study helps support the use of the FIM+FAM in rehabilitation settings. Further support was obtained for the finding that motor items are more reliable than cognitive and psychosocial items. Administration of the FIM+FAM can be done in a timely manner in a rehabilitation setting.     

The development of a measure of job satisfaction for use in monitoring the morale of community nurses in four trusts

The development of the Measure of Job Satisfaction (MJS) for use in a longitudinal study of the morale of community nurses in four trusts is described. The review of previous studies focuses on the use of principal component analysis or factor analysis in the development of measures. The MJS was developed from a bank of items culled from the literature and from discussions with key informants. It was mailed to a one in three sample of 723 members of the community nursing forums of the Royal College of Nursing. A 72% response rate was obtained from those eligible for inclusion. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation led to the identification of five dimensions of job satisfaction; Personal Satisfaction, Satisfaction with Workload, Satisfaction with Professional Support, Satisfaction with Pay and Prospects and Satisfaction with Training. These factors form the basis of five subscales of satisfaction which summate to give an Overall Job Satisfaction score. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent and discriminatory validity were assessed and were found to be satisfactory. The factor structure was replicated using data obtained from the first three of the community trusts involved in the main study. The limitations of the study and issues which require further exploration are identified and discussed.     

The role of activity restriction in poststroke depressive symptoms.

Objective: Little is known about the determinants of poststroke depression. The Activity Restriction Model of Depressed Affect (ARMDA) may be helpful in understanding poststroke depression but has never been tested in that context. The goal of this study was to examine the relation between activity restriction and depressive symptoms in stroke survivors during the period following discharge from the hospital. Method: Participants (N = 197) were assessed on three occasions: (1) time 1 (T1), 3 weeks following discharge; (2) time 2 (T2), 3 months after discharge; and (3) time 3 (T3), 6 months after discharge. Results: Although both stroke severity and activity restriction were significantly related to depressive symptoms, the relation between stroke severity and depression was no longer significant after controlling for activity restriction. Moreover, restrictions in daily activities and social roles were both related to depressive symptoms, but these relations were found to vary during the course of the period following discharge. Conclusions: These findings support the ARMDA and have practical implications for the prevention of poststroke depression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessing retirement satisfaction and perceptions of retirement experiences.

A 2-part investigation developed a measure of retirement as a life transition. Study 1 generated items from interviews with retirees (n?=?40) and service providers. Item analysis with recent retirees (n?=?86) produced a 51-item Retirement Satisfaction Inventory assessing 6 areas: preretirement work functioning, adjustment and change, reasons for retirement, satisfaction with life in retirement, current sources of enjoyment, and leisure and physical activities. Study 2 examined a heterogeneous sample of men (n?=?159) and women (n?=?243) retirees. Factor analyses produced internally consistent subscales. Moderate, but acceptable, test–retest reliability was demonstrated. Satisfaction scores correlated with concurrent measures and, together with pre- and postretirement experiences, discriminated 4 groups of voluntary and involuntary retirees. Few effects related to gender, SES, length of retirement, and part-time employment were found. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adolescent satisfaction in family rituals and psychosocial development: A developmental systems theory perspective.

Adolescent satisfaction in family rituals and psychosocial development (E. Greenberger & A. B. Sorenson, 1974) were explored in the context of adolescent personality characteristics (International Personality Item Pool, 1999) and family environment characteristics (S. M. Gavazzi, M. J. Reese, & R. M. Sabatelli, 1998; D. H. Olson et al., 1983). Data were collected from 159 female undergraduates with the Adolescent Satisfaction in Family Rituals Scale (D. G. Eaker & L. H. Walters, 1999). Family ritual satisfaction was positively related to late adolescent psychosocial development and mediated the relation between family boundaries and psychosocial development. Furthermore, the relation between personality (measured as discontentedness, an aspect of neuroticism) and satisfaction with family rituals was found to be mediated by family boundaries in preliminary analyses. These results suggest that the relevance of family ritual experiences to adolescent psychosocial development is in part a function of an individual's personality and the family environment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)