Locus of control among opiate addicts.

Predicted that because the use of opiates enables the user to exert direct control over reinforcements, opiate addicts would show strongly internal expectancies on Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control scale, especially on items referring directly to personal control. Item and total score differences between hospitalized addicts (200 each male and 100 each female blacks and whites) and a comparison group of 400 male and 400 female predominantly white undergraduates strongly supported the predictions. Multivariate analyses of addict subgroups disclosed greater internality for culturally favored subgroups (males, whites) than for less favored ones (females, blacks). Contrary to usual assumptions, however, the addicts' strong beliefs in personal control, based on drug effects rather than social learning, may hinder their responsiveness to treatment programs. (21 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Subgroups among opiate addicts: A typological investigation.

Applied a multivariate correlational clustering technique to the MMPI profiles of 1,500 addicts, subdivided into 10 subsamples (5 for each sex) representing 4 different categories of admission into treatment (civilly committed, volunteers, probationers, prisoners). Within each subsample, 2 homogeneous and replicable profile types were isolated. Type I (33% of all Ss) showed elevations on Scales 2, 4, and 8, suggesting marked subjective distress, nonconformity, and disturbed thinking. The much smaller Type II (about 7% of Ss) showed a single peak on Scale 4. 60% of Ss thus were unclustered. The 2 basic types, however, were effectively discriminated on a variety of other psychometric indices and were consistent with the 2 major profile types found among alcoholics in prior research. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality disorder subtypes among opiate addicts in methadone maintenance.

The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory was administered to 196 men and 113 women newly admitted to methadone maintenance. The distribution of participants among Axis I subtypes was no elevation (18.8%), drug-alcohol abuse only (25.2%), affective disturbance (31.7%), and psychotic symptoms(l7.2%); among Axis II subtypes it was no elevation (10.4%), narcissistic-antisocial (36.2%), dependent (16.2%), withdrawn-negativistic (12.6%), histrionic (7.4%), and severe personality disorder (8.4%). Women were more likely to be assigned to histrionic, dependent, and severe personality disorder subtypes. Proportionately more Black participants were assigned to drug-alcohol only, psychotic symptoms, narcissistic-antisocial, and severe personality disorder subtypes. The proportion retained in treatment at 18 mo was higher for withdrawn (.51) and histrionic (.33) than other Axis II subtypes (range?=?.13–.22). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender differences in psychiatric comorbidity among cocaine-using opiate addicts

Psychiatric comorbidity was examined for a sample of 212 methadone patients dually addicted to opiates and cocaine, focusing on gender differences. Diagnoses were determined by the SCID for DSM-III-R. Men displayed more lifetime (but not current) substance use disorders, while women displayed more lifetime and current non-substance use disorders. There were several significant interactions among psychiatric disorders and gender. Women were more likely than men to present with concurrent mood and anxiety disorders. Women with ASPD were unlikely to have alcohol use disorder, but likely to have opioid use disorder. Men with anxiety were likely to be diagnosed with ASPD. Treatment implications of the findings are discussed.     

Self-deception, other-deception, and self-reported psychopathology.

Administered inventories designed to assess self-reported psychopathology, other-deception (lying), and self-deception to a group of 250 undergraduates. The inventories included the Beck Depression Inventory, the Neuroticism and Lie scales of the Eysenck Personality Inventory, the Manifest Symptom Questionnaire, the Other-Deception Questionnaire, and the Self-Deception Questionnaire. Substantial negative correlations were found between self-deception and psychopathology scores, and the relationships between the self-deception and psychopathology scores were stronger than those between the other-deception and psychopathology measures. Findings support the view that self-deception significantly contributes to the invalidity of self-report inventories and more so than does other-deception. The possibility is raised that self-deception is a moderating variable contributing to the lack of agreement between clinical and actuarial forms of assessment. (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Familial risk for alcoholism and self-reported psychopathology.

Three groups of young men varying in familial alcoholism risk (high density, high risk [HDHR]; low density, high risk [LDHR]; and low risk [LR]) were compared on the 11 clinical scales of the Personality Assessment Inventory. Significant group differences were found on 9 scales, with scores of the HDHR group exceeding those of the other 2 groups. No differences were found between the LDHR and LR groups. When the proportion with pathological scores per scale was examined, significant group differences were still revealed on 7 scales. The HDHR group exceeded the other 2 groups, but the LDHR group also exceeded the LR group on several scales. These findings support the need to more finely characterize familial alcoholism risk than is provided by the typical high-risk-low-risk dichotomy. Finally, statistically controlling for normal variations in response style reduced the number of group differences, although the same patterns persisted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Leisure of opiate addicts at posttreatment follow-up.

Follow-up data for 1,174 opiate addicts were used to examine leisure reported prior to an interview conducted approximately 6 yrs after admission to treatment for drug abuse. Comparisons of self-reported leisure for the pre- and posttreatment follow-up periods showed an overall shift toward more positive, socially accepted leisure activities at follow-up; more free time was spent with family and with friends who did not use drugs. In addition, positive leisure at follow-up, as well as more positive changes in leisure over time, were related to favorable outcomes on drug use, criminality, and productive activities measures during the year before the follow-up interview. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A test of the voluntarism hypothesis among nonvolunteering opiate addicts who voluntarily return to treatment.

Research on the voluntarism hypothesis, which holds that self-reported psychopathology is greater on MMPI clinical scales among addicts who enter treatment on their own volition than among those who do not, has been plagued by differences in treatment settings, types of voluntarism, and lack of experimental designs. Experimental design deficiencies were corrected in the present study, where MMPI scores of 20 former nonvolunteering addicts who voluntarily returned for treatment were compared with 20 matched addicts who had volunteered on both 1st and 2nd admissions. The voluntarism hypothesis was supported. Former nonvolunteers evidenced significantly higher MMPI scores on 2nd admission for scales F, Mf, Pt, Sc, and Si. Volunteers did not significantly differ between 1st and 2nd admissions. Findings underscore the necessity for continuing to improve methods in addiction research. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship of self-reported distress to depressive disorders and other psychopathology.

The relationship between self-reported depression and a clinical diagnosis of depression was investigated. Within 2 wks of completing the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), a stratified sample of 425 primary medical care patients received the structured interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-III-Revised (DSM-III-R). In the weighted data set, the CES-D was significantly related to a diagnosis of depression but also to other Axis I disorders. Most distressed subjects were not depressed, a fifth of the patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) had low distress, and the CES-D performed as well in detecting anxiety as in detecting depression. MDD, other depression diagnoses, and anxiety and substance use disorders were all significant predictors of CES-D score. Differences in demographic variables, treatment history, and impairment highlight the nonequivalence of the self-report scale and diagnosable depression. The use of a self-report in place of an interview-based diagnostic measure in the study of depression, as well as the use of such a report as a screening device, is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Decline in self-reported dysphoria after treatment entry in inner-city cocaine addicts.

This study examined self-reported dysphoria in 82 consecutive admissions to intensive outpatient treatment for cocaine abuse on whom data for the Beck scales for depression, anxiety, and hopelessness were available for intake and 4 subsequent weeks with no more than 1 missing data point. Mean scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) decreased significantly between intake and Week 1, with no further significant changes from Weeks 1–4. Similar drops in the rate of clinically significant BDI and BAI scores also were observed. Scores on the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) showed no significant changes. By Week 4, rates of clinically significant depression, anxiety, and hopelessness were similar (17%, 13%, and 16%, respectively) . These findings suggest that assessing depression and anxiety using the BDI and BAI in this population should be postponed for at least 1 week after intake and that intake levels of self-reported mood may be inappropriate baseline measures for evaluating treatment effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Life events and psychopathology severity among first psychiatric admissions.

To test an expected relationship between life-events (LE) stress (Social Readjustment-Rating Scale) and severity of psychopathology among 1st-admission functional-disorder psychiatric inpatients, the present study considered LE in multivariate combination with other factors relevant to the severity of mental disorder. Intensive, reliable, structured interviews with 217 15–54 yr old patients yielded LE variables reflecting stress levels and changes in stress levels for various time periods during the preadmission year, 9 indices of pathology severity, and measures of demographic, prognostic, and social supports control factors. Bivariate correlations and a replicated multiple regression data analysis procedure were employed. Small, positive significant relationships were found between LE variables and types of symptomatology. Stress levels were related to severity of neurotic and suicidal symptoms, and increases in stress just prior to admission were related to severity of schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms. Stress variables were not related to overall impairment or severity of diagnostic classification. (48 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interpersonal processes and psychopathology among expectant and nonexpectant adolescent couples.

This study examined the interpersonal and psychological functioning of expectant and nonexpectant adolescent couples. Interpersonal processes were assessed using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (L. S. Benjamin, 1974) and psychological functioning was assessed using the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents–Revised (W. Reich, 1991). Compared with their nonexpectant peers, expectant couples exhibited higher rates of negative interpersonal processes, including demand–withdraw behaviors and lower rates of positive interpersonal processes. Expectant males reported higher rates of behavior disorders, substance use disorders, and internalizing disorders than nonexpectant males. Higher rates of substance-use disorders mediated the effect of expectancy status on demand–withdraw behavior. Results help clarify the links between the psychological risks associated with adolescent pregnancy and the interpersonal functioning of young expectant couples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences in self-reported influence among union officers.

Explored differences between self-reported influence and its correlates in 148 adult male and 111 adult female elected union committee officers in Israel. Results show that females rated their influence lower than did males. An examination of the differences in patterns of associations shows that sex proportion and serving as chairperson were significant predictors of influence only for females. It is suggested that females' perception of their influence was more responsive to the evaluation of their fellow workers, while that of males was more responsive to the committee's influence on management. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Marijuana use and panic psychopathology among a representative sample of adults.

This study examined the relations between marijuana use and panic attacks and panic disorder using a large representative survey of adults (N = 5,672; 53% women; Mage = 45.05 years, SD = 17.9) conducted in the United States (Kessler et al., 2004). After adjusting for sociodemographic variables (age, marital status, income, education, race, and sex) and the presence of a lifetime substance use disorder, lifetime marijuana use was significantly associated with increased odds of a lifetime panic attack history. Lifetime marijuana use also was significantly associated with an increased risk of current (past-year) panic attacks; however, this relation was not significant when controlling for nicotine dependence. Lifetime marijuana use was significantly associated with increased odds of a lifetime diagnosis of panic disorder as well as a current (past-year) diagnosis of panic disorder. Current (past-year) marijuana use was significantly associated with both lifetime and current panic attacks, but not current or lifetime panic disorder. Results are discussed in relation to the novel information they offer in regard to understanding the putative marijuana use–panic psychopathology association(s). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The HIV-epidemic among drug addicts in Norway

Up to 1996, 368 persons in Norway (population 4.3 million) had been reported as being HIV-infected because of intravenous drug use. 72 of these had developed AIDS and 59 had died from AIDS. HIV-testing is very common among drug users in Norway and new cases are rarely detected at treatment centres or at autopsy. Some 15-30 cases may still be undiagnosed. HIV spread very rapidly among drug users in Norway in 1984 and 1985, by around 100 new cases per year. Since then, the annual incidence has decreased from 30-40 cases in 1986 to 10-15 in 1995. Although the drug users seldom shared syringes even before the advent of the HIV epidemic, we believe that the public rehabilitation programmes, needle exchange programmes and health information have contributed to control HIV in this group. We expect an annual incidence of 10-15 cases the next five years.     

Culture and psychopathology.

"In my opinion, the major contribution of anthropology to symptomatology is the opportunity it offers for reducing the ethnocentrism of the diagnostician… . The fact is that most distinctions between the fundamental symptomatological concepts in psychiatry have implicit or explicit social or cultural reference… . It follows that a valid diagnosis cannot be based on symptomatology alone, but must be derived from a study of the psychodynamics of the individual's patient in relation to his social and cultural milieu… . It is obvious that the content of a syndrome is influenced by the patient's culture… . Finally, the culture influences the individual's perception of a situation." The author's points are illustrated by material drawn from case studies. 45 references. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Learning and psychopathology.

Experiments concerning the learning of abnormal human Ss are reviewed. The review includes discussion of how persons with particular types of psychopathology learn different kinds of tasks as well as the reasons suggested for the learning phenomena found. (73 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality and psychopathology.

The author outlines a biometric model for analysis of behavior on 5 major levels of activity: physiological, sensory, perceptual, psychomotor, and conceptual. The tests and the technique are described and evaluated. 47 references. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Crime and psychopathology.

"This study investigated the relations between type of crime, age, intelligence, and degree of psychopathology, as measured by the MMPI F score. MMPIs were available from 190 white male court referrals who were nearly all classified as low socioeconomic status. It should be noted that one crime class (i.e., lewd acts on children) would have been excluded from the analysis if the usual criteria for discarding MMPIs had been used. A definite relationship between type of crime and degree of psychopathology was found. Individuals who commit sexual crimes appear to be the most seriously emotionally disturbed. No difference in mean F score between Ss released to the courts vs. those retained in the hospital was found." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relations among self-reported depressive symptoms in clinic-referred children versus adolescents.

Although there is consensus regarding the existence of childhood depression, disagreement remains as to whether symptoms are developmentally isomorphic. Previous studies focused on developmental differences in symptom levels; analyses of relations among symptoms may be more appropriate, however. Here both approaches were used to compare the Children's Depression Inventory responses from 1,030 clinic-referred children and adolescents. Four of 9 symptom categories showed significant developmental differences in their correlations with total score. Externalizing behavior and guilt were more strongly related to depression in children than adolescents; affective symptoms and concerns about the future showed the reverse pattern. Results illustrate the importance of considering relations among symptoms as well as differences in symptom levels when evaluating theoretical claims about developmental differences in the nature of clinical syndromes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)