Factor structure and validity of the Therapeutic Factors Inventory–Short Form.

Clinical group practice is commonly guided by the assumption that 11 distinct therapeutic factors operate in psychotherapy groups. This assumption should be closely examined due to the emerging evidence of fewer, more global therapeutic factors. The present study was conducted to continue the development of the Therapeutic Factors Inventory–Short Form (TFI–S) and focused on confirming its factor structure and evaluating aspects of its concurrent, discriminant, and predictive validity. A sample comprising a total of 435 clients from 52 distinct therapy groups at eight different clinical sites in the U.S. and Canada was obtained. Structural equation modeling analyses indicated that a four-factor model had a reasonably good fit to the TFI–S rating data, and it provided indications for further refinement of the constituent items. The analyses resulted in a revised, 19-item measure, the Therapeutic Factors Inventory–19 (TFI–19). Three-level HLM analyses demonstrated that the four factors were sensitive to change in member perceptions over time. Significant and meaningful relationships between the TFI–19 factors and subscales of the Group Climate Questionnaire-Short Form provided support for the concurrent validity of the TFI–19. Two-level HLM analyses identified significant relationships between the TFI–19 factors and posttreatment status on symptomatic and interpersonal distress, thereby supporting the predictive validity of the TFI–19. The findings suggest that the TFI–19 may be a useful instrument to assess group members' perceptions of more global therapeutic factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The bilevel structure of the Outcome Questionnaire–45.

The structure of the Outcome Questionnaire–45 (Lambert et al., 2001) was examined in a sample of 1,100 university counseling center clients using confirmatory factor analysis. Specifically, the relative fit of 1-factor, 3-factor orthogonal, 3-factor oblique, 4-factor hierarchical, and 4-factor bilevel models were examined. Although the 3-factor oblique, 4-factor hierarchical, and 4-factor bilevel models fit the data well, the 4-factor bilevel model fit the data best. The results provided support for the fit of the 4-factor bilevel model where each item loads on 1 of the 3 independent scales of Symptom Distress, Social Role Performance, and Interpersonal Relations, in addition to a nonoverlapping general distress factor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The pain, depression, and fatigue symptom cluster in advanced breast cancer: Covariation with the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system.

Objective: Neuroendocrine–immune models have been proposed to account for the frequent co-occurrence of pain, depression, and fatigue (PDF) among cancer patients. Design: In a cross-sectional observational study of advanced cancer patients (N = 104), we tested the hypothesis that the PDF cluster covaries with proposed biological mediators: hormones of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Main Outcome Measures: PDF symptoms were measured using the Brief Pain Inventory, Fatigue Symptom Inventory, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scales. HPA activation was indicated by plasma levels of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone, and SNS activation was indicated by plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine. Results: Preliminary analyses supported the use of covariance structure modeling to test whether shared variance among hormone levels predicted shared variance among PDF symptoms. Latent variable analysis indicated that neuroendocrine levels predicted PDF (standardized β = .23, p = .039), while controlling for important disease and demographic variables. Conclusion: Previous studies have linked individual symptoms to individual biomarkers. The observed significant paring of the 4 hormones to the PDF cluster provides the first evidence suggestive of stress hormones as a common mechanism for the co-occurrence of pain, depression, and fatigue symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Co–Ni–Zr Phase Diagram in the Zr–ZrCo–ZrNi Region II. Liquidus Surface of the Phase Diagram. Interaction of Alloys with Hydrogen

Powder Metallurgy and Metal Ceramics - The results of microstructural, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal, and electron microprobe analyses of Zr–ZrCo–ZrNi cast alloys were used to...     

The longitudinal structure of general and specific anxiety dimensions in children: Testing a latent trait–state–occasion model.

In an 8-wave, 4-year longitudinal study, 787 children (Grades 3–6) completed the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (C. R. Reynolds & B. O. Richmond, 1985), a measure of the Physiological Reactivity, Worry–Oversensitivity, and Social Alienation dimensions of anxiety. A latent variable (trait–state–occasion) model and a latent growth curve model were applied to each of the 3 anxiety dimensions and to a general anxiety factor consisting of the 3 dimensions. Although the general anxiety factor reflected a significant stable trait process, the Worry–Oversensitivity and Social Alienation dimensions reflected an autoregressive process more than a stable trait dimension. In contrast to the other 2 anxiety dimensions, Physiological Reactivity reflected a significant stable trait process, suggesting that the longitudinal structure of anxiety in children depends upon the dimension assessed. In children as early as age 9 or 10, Physiological Reactivity (more than other anxiety dimensions) manifested a stable trait component. Structural findings were consistent across gender and race; however, mean differences in gender and race emerged for general anxiety and its 3 dimensions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

What is the latent structure of alcohol use disorders? A taxometric analysis of the Personality Assessment Inventory Alcohol Problems Scale in male and female prison inmates.

Three indicators derived from the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) Alcohol Problems scale (ALC)—tolerance/high consumption, loss of control, and negative social and psychological consequences—were subjected to taxometric analysis—mean above minus below a cut (MAMBAC), maximum covariance (MAXCOV), and latent mode factor analysis (L-Mode)—in 1,374 federal prison inmates (905 males, 469 females). Whereas the total sample yielded ambiguous results, the male subsample produced dimensional results, and the female subsample produced taxonic results. Interpreting these findings in light of previous taxometric research on alcohol abuse and dependence it is speculated that while alcohol use disorders may be taxonic in female offenders, they are probably both taxonic and dimensional in male offenders. Two models of male alcohol use disorder in males are considered, one in which the diagnostic features are categorical and the severity of symptomatology is dimensional, and one in which some diagnostic features (e.g., withdrawal) are taxonic and other features (e.g., social problems) are dimensional. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceived work stress and major depression in the Canadian employed population, 20–49 years old.

Data from the Canadian National Population Health Survey (1994–1995) were used to evaluate the associations between work stress and major depression (N?=?7,344). Major depression was evaluated using the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview—Short Form. Work stress was measured by a 12-item scale in 6 dimensions. Significant associations between work stress and major depression were found. Gender may alter the type of work stress that is most strongly associated with major depression: psychological demands for men and physical demands for women. Some forms of work stress were more strongly associated with major depression in smokers than in nonsmokers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measuring children's perceptions of their mother's depression: The Children’s Perceptions of Others’ Depression Scale–Mother Version.

Several theoretical perspectives suggest that knowledge of children's perceptions of and beliefs about their parents' depression may be critical for understanding its impact on children. This paper describes the development and preliminary evidence for the psychometric properties of a new measure, the Children's Perceptions of Others' Depression – Mother Version (CPOD-MV), which assesses theoretically and empirically driven constructs related to children's understanding and beliefs about their mothers' depression. These constructs include children's perceptions of the severity, chronicity, and impairment of their mothers' depression; self-blame for their mother's depression; and beliefs about their abilities to deal with their mother's depression. The CPOD-MV underwent two stages of development: (1) a review of the literature to identify key constructs, focus groups to help generate items, and clinicians' ratings on the relevance and comprehensibility of the drafted items and (2) a study of the measure's psychometric properties. The literature review, focus groups, and item-reduction techniques yielded a 21-item measure. Reliability, factor structure, and discriminant, convergent, and concurrent validity were tested in a sample of 10- to 17-year-old children whose mothers had been treated for depression. The scale had good internal consistency; factor structure suggestive of a single construct; and discriminant, concurrent, convergent, and incremental validity, suggesting the importance of measuring children's perceptions of their mothers' depression beyond knowledge of mothers' depression symptom level when explaining which children have the greatest risk for emotional and behavioral problems among children of depressed mothers. These findings support continued development and beginning clinical applications of the scale. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Short-term stability of NEO–PI–R personality trait scores in opioid-dependent outpatients.

The present study examined the short-term stability of personality trait scores from the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO–PI-R) among 230 opioid-dependent outpatients. The NEO–PI-R is a 240-item empirically developed measure of the five-factor model of personality (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness). Participants completed the NEO–Pl-R at admission and again approximately 19 weeks later. Results indicated fair to good stability for all NEO–PI-R factor domain scores, with coefficients ranging from .68 to .74. Stability of NEO–PI-R scores was decreased among potentially invalid response patterns but was not significantly affected by drug-positive versus drug-negative status at follow-up. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Grain boundarues in Ni3Al—II. The dislocation structure of small angle boundaries

The dislocation structure of small angle tilt and twist boundaries in ordered Ni₃Al, with and without boron, was investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Dislocations with Burgers vectors that correspond to anti-phase boundary (APB)-coupled superpartials were found in small angle [001] twist boundaries in both boron-free and boron-doped Ni₃Al, and a small angle [011] tilt boundary in boron-doped Ni₃Al. The boundary structures are in agreement with theoretical models proposed by Marcinkowski and co-workers. The APB energy determined from the dissociation of the grain boundary dislocations was lower than values reported for isolated APBs in Ni₃Al. For small angle twist boundaries the presence of boron reduced the APB energy at the interface until it approached zero. This is consistent with the structure of these boundaries containing small regions of increased compositional disorder in the first atomic plane next to the interface.     

Dislocation transformations and the anomalies of deformation characteristics in TiAl—II. The structure of dislocation ensemble: Experiment and theory

Results of an electron microscope investigation of dislocations in TiAl are presented. An analysis made of typical dislocation configurations such as blocked single dislocations and blocked superdislocations-traps for single dislocations. Theoretical models are assigned to the configurations observed. Fundamentals of a phenomenological approach to describe plastic deformation are outlined. This approach enables allowance for dislocation transformations of several types. An analysis of the dislocation transformations is made, with a view to reveal those which may be responsible for the temperature peak of the yield stress. The concepts of the possible structure of the dislocation ensemble in TiAl are formulated.     

An exploration of the base rate scores of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory–III.

The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (3rd ed.; MCMI–III) is a widely used psychological assessment of clinical and personality disorders. Unlike typical tests, the MCMI–III uses a base-rate score transformation to incorporate prior probabilities of disorder (i.e., base rates) in test output and diagnostic thresholds. The authors describe the base rate transformation and contend that its supporting documentation in the MCMI–III manual is incomplete and fails to meet interdisciplinary test documentation standards. They show that the MCMI–III's base rate transformation is not optimal, and they derive an optimal alternative transformation using Bayes' theorem. Bayes transformation formulae for 7 exponential family distributions are given. The authors discuss the effect of the base rate transformation and further argue that the MCMI–III's use of a single base rate per diagnostic category is ill-advised. They argue that base rates differ among clinical settings and that tests like the MCMI–III should flexibly incorporate a base rate of disorder pertinent to the examinee's characteristics, such as demographics, chief complaint, clinical history, or other variables. They explain how this can readily be accomplished. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of positive impression management on the NEO Personality Inventory–Revised in a clinical population.

Sixty adults in outpatient psychotherapy completed the NEO Personality Inventory–Revised (NEO PI–R, P. T. Costa & R. R. McCrae, 1992a). Half were instructed to fake good and half were given standard instructions. All completed the Interpersonal Adjective Scale–Revised, Big Five (J. S. Wiggins & P. D. Trapnell, 1997) under standard instructions, and their therapists completed the observer rating form of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. A comparison group of 30 students completed the NEO PI–R under standard instructions. Standard and fake-good participants obtained significantly different NEO PI–R domain scores. Correlations between the NEO PI–R and criterion measures were significantly lower for faking than for standard patients. Validity scales for the NEO PI–R (J. A. Schinka, B. N. Kinder, & T. Kremer, 1997) were moderately accurate in discriminating faking from standard patients, but were only marginally accurate in discriminating faking patients from students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Substitutional solutes in AlRu—II. Hardening and correlations with defect structure

Solid solution hardening effects are reported for AlRu-based binary and ternary alloys as a function of off-stoichiometry and of the substitution of the solutes Co and Fe for Ru, and of Ti for Al. Microhardness and thermally stepped flow stress are reported as a function of temperature. Off-stoichiometry and ternary additions both produre hardening except for brittle compositions. In binary alloys the strength of the hardening is consistent with elastic effects of conventional substitutional solute. Ternary alloys are more complicated. Two possibilities are that point defects have paired to produce strong hardening or that superimposed effects have produced partial cancellation of modulus and lattice parameter effects of multiple separate point defects.     

Contact Interaction of Zirconium Diboride with Nickel and Nickel Alloys. II. Contact Interaction in the Zirconium Boride–Nichrome System

Powder Metallurgy and Metal Ceramics - Zirconium boride–nichrome (Ni–20 Cr) interaction at zirconium boride concentration in the charge varying from 3.6 to 60% and at annealing...     

Ten-year stability and latent structure of the DSM–IV schizotypal, borderline, avoidant, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.

Evaluation of the validity of personality disorder (PD) diagnostic constructs is important for the impending revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Prior factor analytic studies have tested these constructs in cross-sectional studies, and models have been replicated longitudinally, but no study has tested a constrained longitudinal model. The authors examined 4 PDs in the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders study (schizotypal, borderline, avoidant, and obsessive-compulsive) over 7 time points (baseline, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 4 years, 6 years, and 10 years). Data for 2-, 4-, 6- and 10-year assessments were obtained in semistructured interviews by raters blind to prior PD diagnoses at each assessment. The latent structure of the 4 constructs was differentiated during the initial time points but became less differentiated over time as the mean levels of the constructs dropped and stability increased. Obsessive-compulsive PD became more correlated with schizotypal and borderline PD than with avoidant PD. The higher correlation among the constructs in later years may reflect greater shared base of pathology for chronic personality disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Phase Equilibria in the Ternary Al–Ti–Pt System. II. Liquidus Surface of the Al–Ti–Pt System in the Compositions Range 0–50 at.% Pt

Powder Metallurgy and Metal Ceramics - The liquidus surface of the Al–Ti–Pt system has been constructed for the first time on the composition triangle based on studies of the structure...     

Predicting expressed emotion: A study with families of obsessive–compulsive and agoraphobic outpatients.

The authors used structural equation modeling to examine expressed emotion (EE) in relatives of outpatients with panic disorder with agoraphobia (n?=?42) or obsessive–compulsive disorder (n?=?60). EE was examined as a function of patients' illness and personality and as a function of characteristics of relatives themselves. EE was operationalized in terms of hostility on the Camberwell Family Interview (C. E. Vaughn & J. P. Leff, 1976) and patients' ratings of their relatives' criticism (perceived criticism). Key findings include the identification of a characteristic of the relative (self-reported angry thoughts, feelings, and behaviors) that is directly linked to both hostility toward the patient and to perceived criticism, as well as a direct path between relatives' low rates of observed problem solving and their hostility toward the patient. Patient Pathology predicted perceived criticism but not observer-rated hostility. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Detecting symptom exaggeration in combat veterans using the MMPI–2 symptom validity scales: A mixed group validation.

Although validity scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 (MMPI–2; J. N. Butcher, W. G. Dahlstrom, J. R. Graham, A. Tellegen, & B. Kaemmer, 1989) have proven useful in the detection of symptom exaggeration in criterion-group validation (CGV) studies, usually comparing instructed feigners with known patient groups, the application of these scales has been problematic when assessing combat veterans undergoing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) examinations. Mixed group validation (MGV) was employed to determine the efficacy of MMPI–2 exaggeration scales in compensation-seeking (CS) and noncompensation-seeking (NCS) veterans. Unlike CGV, MGV allows for a mix of exaggerating and nonexaggerating individuals in each group, does not require that the exaggeration versus nonexaggerating status of any individual be known, and can be adjusted for different base-rate estimates. MMPI–2 responses of 377 male veterans were examined according to CS versus NCS status. MGV was calculated using 4 sets of base-rate estimates drawn from the literature. The validity scales generally performed well (adequate sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency) under most base-rate estimations, and most produced cutoff scores that showed adequate detection of symptom exaggeration, regardless of base-rate assumptions. These results support the use of MMPI–2 validity scales for PTSD evaluations in veteran populations, even under varying base rates of symptom exaggeration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)