Age, socioeconomic status, severity of mental disorder, and chronicity as predictors of physical attractiveness.

The relations of age, SES, race, 3 indexes of chronicity, and 3 indexes of severity of disorder with physical attractiveness were examined in 43 13–66 yr old female psychiatric patients to test whether demographic variables mediate relations found between physical attractiveness and clinical variables. A correlation analysis found only time since 1st breakdown, age, and SES to be significantly related to attractiveness at a multivariate .05 level. A partial correlation analysis showed that age mediated the relation found between time since 1st breakdown and attractiveness, but not the relation between SES and attractiveness. Findings suggest that demographic variables are strongly related to attractiveness and may account for apparent relations found between attractiveness and clinical variables. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Diagnostic, demographic, memory quality, and cognitive variables associated with acute stress disorder in children and adolescents.

To date, no studies have investigated factors associated with acute stress disorder (ASD) in children and adolescents. Relationships between ASD and a number of demographic, trauma, cognitive, and trauma memory variables were therefore investigated in a sample (N=93) of children and adolescents involved in assaults and motor vehicle accidents. Several cognitive variables and the quality of trauma memories, but not demographic or trauma variables, were correlated with ASD and also mediated the relationship between peritraumatic threat and ASD. Finally, nosological analyses comparing ASD with indexes of posttraumatic stress disorder in the month posttrauma revealed little support for the dissociation mandate that uniquely characterizes ASD. The results are discussed with respect to assessment and treatment for the acute traumatic stress responses of children and young people. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Values and professional judgment in validating and litigating tests for civil service positions.

Five models of personnel selection are discussed in light of their differing value systems for public organizations: (a) a probationary model, (b) random selection, (c) a quota system based on demographic variables, (d) hiring based on any combination of variables that predict job success, and (e) selection based on individual intrinsic attributes. The last of these models is advocated. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relative importance of task, citizenship, and counterproductive performance to global ratings of job performance: A policy-capturing approach.

A review of research on job performance suggests 3 broad components: task, citizenship, and counterproductive performance. This study examined the relative importance of each component to ratings of overall performance by using an experimental policy-capturing design. Managers in 5 jobs read hypothetical profiles describing employees' task, citizenship, and counterproductive performance and provided global ratings of performance. Within-subjects regression analyses indicated that the weights given to the 3 performance components varied across raters. Hierarchical cluster analyses indicated that raters' policies could be grouped into 3 homogeneous clusters: (a) task performance weighted highest, (b) counterproductive performance weighted highest, and (c) equal and large weights given to task and counterproductive performance. Hierarchical linear modeling indicated that demographic variables were not related to raters' weights. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mindfulness is associated with fewer PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, physical symptoms, and alcohol problems in urban firefighters.

Objective: This study investigated the association between mindfulness, other resilience resources, and several measures of health in 124 urban firefighters. Method: Participants completed health measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depressive symptoms, physical symptoms, and alcohol problems and measures of resilience resources including mindfulness, optimism, personal mastery, and social support. The Mindful Awareness and Attention Scale (MAAS; Brown & Ryan, 2003) was used to assess mindfulness. Participants also completed measures of firefighter stress, number of calls, and years as a firefighter as control variables. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted with the health measures as the dependent variables with 3 levels of independent variables: (a) demographic characteristics, (b) firefighter variables, and (c) resilience resources. Results: The results showed that mindfulness was associated with fewer PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, physical symptoms, and alcohol problems when controlling for the other study variables. Personal mastery and social support were also related to fewer depressive symptoms, firefighter stress was related to more PTSD symptoms and alcohol problems, and years as a firefighter were related to fewer alcohol problems. Conclusions: Mindfulness may be important to consider and include in models of stress, coping, and resilience in firefighters. Future studies should examine the prospective relationship between mindfulness and health in firefighters and others in high-stress occupations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Theoretical analyses of 〈111〉 pencil glide in b.c.c. crystals

A new theoretical analysis of 〈111〉 pencil glide in b.c.c. crystals is proposed. Complete sets of equations are given for one, two, three or four active slip systems. The yield surface for b.c.c. single crystals deforming by pencil glide is described, and the closed subspaces are listed. The cases where stress or shear rate and rotation ambiguities occur are also detailed. A correspondence is shown to exist between the plastic deformation rates that are induced by the classical eight solutions in pencil glide, and those associated with the Bishop and Hill vertices for {110}〈111〉 slip. Each six-fold vertex in groups B and D is related to a particular three-system pencil glide solution, and each eight-fold vertex in groups A, C, and E with one four-system solution as well as four three-system solutions. The analysis shows that the cones of normals of the Bishop and Hill vertices have very different extensions, the solid angle pertaining to the group C vertices being an order of magnitude greater than those of group A. The Taylor (prescribed strain) problem for b.c.c. crystals is treated in this way and it is shown that the necessary calculations are reduced by factors of three to six when compared with the previous methods. In particular the number of three-system solutions to be analyzed, which require a special numerical procedure, is reduced to a minimum. The Taylor factor for isotropic aggregates of b.c.c. crystals with pencil glide is also calculated for various imposed strain rates. Finally, the well known analyses of pencil glide available in the literature are compared; the correspondence between the notations is tabulated, and the approaches and sets of results obtained are evaluated and discussed in turn.     

Achievement motivation, achieving styles, and morale in the elderly.

This research extends the literature on variables predictive of morale from the often-researched demographic, physical, and social factors to the psychological variables of achievement motivation and achieving styles. A sample of 115 older adults completed the Work and Family Orientation Questionnaire, the L-BLA Achieving Styles Inventory, and the PGC (Philadelphia Geriatric Center) Morale Scale. Regression analysis indicated that five variables were predictive of morale: (a) direct achieving style, (b) instrumental achieving style, (c) health, (d) social participation, and (e) age. The instrumental achieving style and age were inversely related to morale, although the direct and instrumental achieving styles were the two best predictors of morale. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Discriminant analysis: A comment.

Discusses 3 topics related to the interpretation of discriminant analyses (DAs): (a) partial F ratios and partial Wilks's lambdas for predictor variables in standard, step-down and stepwise DAs; (b) relation of goals of classification to the definition and evaluation of classification rules; and (c) significance tests for total hit rates in internal versus external analyses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of group treatment for college underachievers and bright failing underachievers.

Presents a review of findings of 31 treatment studies of college underachievers and bright failing underachievers separately, with the purposes of (a) evaluating the effects of group treatments on the academic performance of these students and (b) isolating from the data variables related to improved academic performance. Variables from the following categories are examined: counselor experience, treatment type, treatment duration and structure, treatment targets, and client motivation. Findings indicate that success rates are low and that there are few clear relationships between isolated variables and improvement in academic performance. (34 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Illness and demographic correlates of quality of life among people with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To evaluate the strength of illness-related, employment-related, and familial support variables as predictors of quality of life (QOL) among people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Design/Participants: An ex post facto, multiple correlational study of 227 people with MS. Measure: A questionnaire that included (a) demographic and illness-related items with fixed and open response sets and (b) a QOL scale that asked respondents to rate on a scale of 1 (totally unsatisfying) to 7 (completely satisfying) their levels of satisfaction in major life areas. Results: A regression analysis resulted in a simplified model in which QOL was positively related to educational level and employment status and negatively related to number of symptoms. Conclusions: These findings provide support for 2 of 3 factors (illness-related, employment-related) proposed in a model of adjustment to MS. The value of employment as an intervention to enhance QOL is also supported. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationships among selected child-rearing variables in a cross-cultural sample of 110 societies.

Analyzed 6 basic childrearing dimensions (nurturance, obedience, responsibility, self-reliance, achievement, and general independence) in terms of their interrelationships with each other in a cross-cultural sample of 110 societies. Each variable was rated separately for each sex in terms of 5 subcategories: strength of general socialization, anxiety over performance of the given behavior, anxiety over nonperformance of the behavior, experienced general conflict in terms of the behavior, and frequency of the behavior. The most general finding indicates that there is a substantial degree of relationship between variables such that pressure in one area predicts pressure in any other, regardless of substantive matter (66.1% of the correlations are positive). Societal pressures in childrearing in one area are likely to be related to pressure in any other area. Beyond that, similarity on 2 other dimensions creates even higher levels of cohesion: (a) Variables measuring a high (low) concern for group interaction are more related to other such variables than they are to variables with different foci; (b) subcategories measuring a high (low) degree of explicit anxiety/conflict are more related to each other than they are to subcategories with a different level. Finally, although this research confirms the existence of differences in level of pressure on the different sexes for some variables, it also shows that there are essentially no sex differences in pattern of interaction among the variables considered in this research. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Alcohol-related expectancies versus demographic/background variables in the prediction of adolescent drinking.

The best method currently available for predicting adolescent alcohol consumption is to use the significant relationship that has been found between this variable and demographic/background variables. To assess the theoretical and practical utility of adolescent alcohol expectancies, the present authors pitted these expectancies against important demographic/background variables in the prediction of adolescent drinking. This comparison required 3 procedural steps: (a) factor analytic derivation of 3 adolescent drinking styles, (b) multiple regression prediction of these drinking styles using demographic/background variables, and (c) assessment of the predictive power of alcohol expectancies. Ss were 1,580 12–19 yr olds. Results show that expectancies (as measured by the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire for Adolescents) at least equalled and even added to the predictive power of the background variables. Specifically, Ss who drank in a frequent, social manner expected alcohol to enhance their social behavior, whereas Ss who reported alcohol-related problems expected an improvement in their cognitive and motor functioning. Results suggest assessment and treatment strategies for high-risk adolescents and indicate a possible mediator of adolescent drinking problems. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empirical correlates of frequently occurring two-point MMPI code types: A replicated study.

Examined whether (a) a relatively small number of 2-point code types could account for a large proportion of MMPI protocols in a psychiatric setting, and (b) reliable behavioral and demographic correlates of these 2-point code types could be identified. MMPI protocols of 588 hospitalized psychiatric patients were randomly divided into 2 subsamples. Within each, the profiles were classified according to 19 frequently occurring 2-point code types (identified in a pilot study), permitting classification of 84% of the 588 profiles. For each subsample, each code type was compared with the remaining Ss on 68 behavioral and demographic variables. Although 300 or more significant differences were found for the comparisons in each subsample, in only 66 instances were the same differences significant in both subsamples. The relevance of these findings to MMPI interpretational practices is discussed. (21 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Obtaining employment in academia: The hiring process and characteristics of successful applicants.

Little is known about (a) the criteria used by doctoral degree-granting psychology programs in the selection of new faculty, (b) characteristics and qualifications of successful applicants, or (c) differences between clinical and experimental specialties on these variables. The present study addresses these issues by surveying department heads (or search committees) or doctoral degree-granting psychology programs and newly hired faculty members in clinical and experimental programs. Responses were related to the faculty search, the hiring process, the variables that influenced faculty search committees' decisions, and demographic information and qualifications of newly hired faculty. Results indicate some trends in academic psychology and also point out several discrepancies in previous research. Differences between the 2 specialties are also elucidated. (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Expectancies versus background in the prediction of college drinking patterns.

Examined the alcohol expectancies of 321 17–40 yr old undergraduates as a function of Ss' drinking patterns and Ss' expectancies to demographic/background variables for their ability to predict problematic and nonproblematic drinking patterns. Ss completed a demographic data sheet, alcohol expectancy questionnaire, and customary drinking record. Factor analysis of Ss' self-reported drinking yielded 3 drinking styles: nonproblematic social drinking, frequent drinking with alcohol-related problems, and contextually determined alcohol consumption. Optimal alcohol expectancy and demographic/background predictors of each drinking style were selected and compared via multiple regression procedures. Predictor equation efficiency was then examined in a new cross-validation sample of 176 Ss. Results indicate that alcohol expectancies increased the predictability of college drinking patterns and that alcohol expectancies were differentially related to problematic and nonproblematic features of college drinking. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predicting episodic memory performance in dementia: Is severity all there is?

Whether individual differences in demographic, psychometric, and biological domains can predict episodic memory in dementia was investigated. Mildly to moderately demented very old persons performed episodic memory tasks (free recall and recognition of slowly and rapidly presented random words, free and cued recall of organizable words, and recognition of dated and contemporary famous faces). A factor analysis of the memory measures yielded 2 factors, 1 indexing recall and 1 recognition. Controlling for severity of dementia, only 2 predictors contributed to performance: (a) Block Design (a marker of fluid intelligence) was positively related to recall, and (b) age was negatively related to recognition. Although these results are similar to data reported on predictors of episodic memory in normal aging, (a) the number of predictive variables appears to be reduced in dementia, and (b) age seems to affect recall and recognition differentially in normal aging and dementia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An investigation of gender, income, and special education status bias on curriculum-based measurement slope in reading.

This study investigated slope bias on student background variables for both Curriculum Based Measurement of Oral Reading (CBM-R) and Curriculum Based Measurement Maze Reading (Maze). Benchmark scores from 1,738 students in Grades 3 through 8 were used to examine potential slope bias in CBM-R and Maze. Latent growth modeling was used to both estimate growth rates and examine the extent to which demographic variables affected the estimated growth rates. Results indicate a significant CBM-R slope bias on special education status at Grade 3 and on gender at Grade 7. For Maze, slope bias on gender was associated with Maze slope estimates at Grades 5 and 7. Slope bias on various demographic variables was not consistent across CBM measures and grades. Results and implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

A multivariate analysis of the early dropout process.

Performed principal-component factor analyses on patient input (demographic and pretherapy expectations), therapist input (demographic), and patient perspective therapy process variables that significantly differentiated 71 early dropout from 110 nondropout outpatients at 2 community mental health centers. At 1 setting results confirm (a) the presence of selection factors in the intake process whereby the more disturbed patients, who subsequently drop out, are assigned to lower level trained therapists and (b) the proposition that many patients unilaterally terminate despite the perception of the initial session as being an overall positive experience. Findings at the 2nd setting support the more traditionally held view of "dropout" as related to patient dissatisfaction with received services. Differences in the dropout process at the 2 settings were attributed to empirically demonstrated differences in the therapists' theoretical approach to the initial interview. The proclivity of earlier investigators to conceptualize dropouts as being characteristic of a single type of patient seems to be another unfounded homogeneity myth. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Jury decision making: 45 years of empirical research on deliberating groups.

This article provides a comprehensive review of the empirical research on jury decision making published between 1955 and 1999. In total, 206 distinguishable studies involving deliberating juries (actual or mock) were located and grouped into 4 categories on the basis of their focal variables: (a) procedural characteristics, (b) participant characteristics, (c) case characteristics, and (d) deliberation characteristics. Numerous factors were found to have consistent effects on jury decisions: definitions of key legal terms, verdict/sentence options, trial structure, jury-defendant demographic similarity, jury personality composition related to authoritarianism/dogmatism, jury attitude composition, defendant criminal history, evidence strength, pretrial publicity, inadmissible evidence, case type, and the initial distribution of juror verdict preferences during deliberation. Key findings, emergent themes, practical implications, and future research directions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Occupational stress and health care use

This study investigated the relationship between health care use and (a) stressful work events; (b) strain; (c) social support; (d) type of job and industry; and (e) the individual characteristics of control, commitment, and length of time in position. A sample of 260 individuals (95 men, 165 women) from two different industries was used. Correlational analyses suggested that health care claims and costs were positively related to stressful work events and strain and negatively related to employees' length of time in position. Industry type also played a role in predicting the health care variables. Multivariate analyses suggested that environmental, stressor, and strain variables accounted for up to 16% of the variance in health care costs and 21.5% of the variance in number of health care claims.