Multiple uses of performance appraisal: Prevalence and correlates.

Performance appraisal is used in organizations for a variety of purposes. However, little empirical research has been conducted to determine (a) the extent to which performance appraisal is used for each of several purposes in industry, (b) the extent to which appraisal data may be used for multiple and possibly conflicting uses within the same organization, and (c) organizational correlates of these uses. A survey questionnaire designed to answer these questions was mailed to 243 members of Division 14 of the American Psychological Association who were employed in industry. A factor analysis of the 106 completed questionnaires indicated four general uses of information from performance appraisals. The use of performance appraisal to simultaneously make distinctions between and within individuals is common. Canonical correlation analyses indicated that organizational characteristics were significantly related to uses of performance appraisal. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Depression in Parkinson's disease: clinical correlates and outcome

Depression has been shown to be more common in Parkinson's disease (PD) than in other chronic and disabling disorders. Neurochemical and functional disturbances are important etiopathogenic factors. The prevalence and clinical features associated with depression in PD remain controversial. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in our patients, as related to other clinical data, and to assess clinical outcomes of these symptoms. A series of PD patients were evaluated over a 9-year period, using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr stage (HY), Schwab and England Scale (SE), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Presence of depressive symptoms was considered if GDS score was higher than 10: mild-moderate (MD) for GDS scores between 11 and 20 and moderate-severe (SD) for GDS scores greater than 20. Three hundred and fifty-three patients were included in this study and additional follow up information was obtained for 184 patients. MD and SD were found in 40.2 and 16.7% of PD patients, respectively. Female gender, high HY, high UPDRS total and subtotal, and low MMSE and SE scores were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. According to changes in GDS score, 34% of patients remained stable, 35% showed an improvement, and 30.9% worsened in the follow up study. Gender, age, age of onset, HY, UPDRS, and PD duration are not related to depression outcome.     

Prevalence and correlates of blood pressure elevation in children with Guillain-Barré syndrome

While there have been case reports describing blood pressure elevation in adults and children with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), no previous systematic study has explored the prevalence of hypertension in children with this condition. In a retrospective review, blood pressure elevation was seen in 20 of 30 (66.7%) patients with GBS admitted to a children's hospital during a 10-year period. There was a significant correlation between highest GBS stage and deviation of systolic blood pressure from age- and gender-specific norms (r = 0.93, p < 0.05). Since blood pressure may be markedly elevated in GBS, the clinician caring for a child with this condition should be aware of this complication.     

Prevalence and correlates of postpartum depression in first-time mothers.

Examined the prevalence and correlates of postpartum depression in a large (N?=?1,033) sample of married, primiparous, middle class mothers of full-term, healthy infants; 9.3% met modified Research Diagnostic Criteria for depression. However, 39% of the nondepressed women also reported at least 1 somatic symptom. Depressed women whose symptoms were current obtained elevated scores on the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression scale, as did some women who did not meet depression criteria. Depressed women differed from nondepressed women on several socioeconomic status indicators and the occurrence of obstetric complications, even in this low-risk sample. These data have implications for the assessment of depression in postpartum women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Depression in children: prospective studies

Prospective longitudinal observation of children socially and emotionally immature and depressive at entering school was carried on till their early adolescence. The study's aim was to describe: 1. childhood depression dynamics, 2. developmental changes in depression, 3. factors related to the depression course, 4. relation of childhood depression to adolescence depression. A screening study of representative population of school entering children led to identification of a risk group followed-up 3 and 6 years later. The Kraków Depression Inventory (AO "B1" and IO "B1") was used to diagnose, and for analysis of depression. Results of the study revealed a tendency to chronic course of depression in the studied group. Data collected at the first and the second stage showed coincidence of the depression chronicity and a set of nonspecific factors of "biological vulnerability" on the one hand, and dysfunctional family on the other. The latter was characterized by unclear family boundaries and difficult relational individuation. Data collected at the third stage of the study showed persistence of depression in the same individuals. Entering adolescence seemed to have no impact on depression prevalence in the studied group. It was, however, evident that cognitive and general activity disturbances increased among those studied who were not diagnosed depressive in the second and third stage. This finding requires further studies.     

Prevalence and correlates of anxiety in Alzheimer''s disease

Short-lived occupational skin symptoms of irritant or urticarial nature were commonly reported among 253 attendants in a clinical study on occupational dermatitis in Danish gardeners and greenhouse workers. Aimed prick or scratch-patch testing for immediate skin and mucosal symptoms was performed in 105 persons with plants as is. 35 persons (33%) had at least 1 positive reaction and a family history of, or personal, atopy was significantly more prevalent among these compared to attendants with negative reactions. Positive histamine release tests made immunologic etiology probable in Schlumbergera cacti, Stephanotis floribunda, Euphorbia pulcherrima and Gerbera reactions. Other new species implicated in immediate-type reactions included Ficus pumila, Gardenia jasminoides, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Campanula, Columnea, Epipremnum aureum, Pelargonium and Primula vulgaris. Because of the high prevalence of short-lived skin symptoms and because contact urticaria may present itself as a dermatitis, it is recommended that one supplement patch tests with tests for immediate reactions.     

Prevalence and correlates of dating violence in a Canadian university sample.

Assessed the prevalence and correlates of dating violence among 116 female and 50 male undergraduates. Ss responded to the Conflict Tactics Scale, a self-esteem inventory, and questions regarding their course major, demographic characteristics, and current or most recent dating relationship. 52 women and 24 men reported having experienced physical violence in their current or most recent dating relationship. Ss who reported dating violence also reported greater relationship commitment, longer relationship durations, and higher levels of reasoning and verbal aggression strategies than did Ss who did not report dating violence. Women reported more frequent expressions of physically and verbally aggressive conflict resolution tactics than did men. Men were more likely than women to report being the targets of verbal and physical aggression by their partners. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Depression in children and adolescents

Depression in children and adolescents seems to be more common than it was 50 years ago. Figures of 0.5 to 2 per cent have been reported for the prevalence of prepubertal depression. After puberty, the prevalence increases and there is a marked female preponderance. In all likelihood, the prevalence of juvenile depression has also increased in Sweden as the figures for juvenile suicide increased between the 1950s and 1970s. Juvenile depression is recurrent and the risk of recurrence within 5-8 years has been determined to be 75-100 per cent. Before early adulthood, about 40 per cent of young people with depression are at risk of attempted suicide. The course of juvenile depression is chronic in at least 10 per cent of cases.     

Prevalence and correlates of eating disordered behaviors among undergraduate women.

Measures of weight management habits, body image, self-esteem, and degree of endorsement of sociocultural norms regarding thinness were administered to 682 undergraduate women. The 643 nonanorexic, nonobese subjects were then classified into one of six categories representing severity along an eating-behaviors continuum. The results indicated a high prevalence of both dieting and bingeing behaviors. Although only 3% were classified as bulimic, 61% were classified as having some intermediate form of eating-behavior problem. Only 33% of the subjects reported what could be considered normal eating habits. The degree of disturbed eating was strongly correlated with lowered self-esteem, more negative body image, greater tendency to endorse sociocultural beliefs regarding the desirability of female thinness, obsessive thoughts concerning weight and appearance, and interference of weight and appearance concerns with other life domains. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prevalence, distribution, and correlates of math anxiety in college students.

Investigated factors related to the prevalence and intensity of math anxiety in college students. 652 Ss in 2 math courses and 1 psychology course at a large university were tested on the Math Anxiety scale (part of the Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitudes Scales), the A-Trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Spielberger's Test Anxiety Inventory. Results indicate that math anxiety occurs frequently among college students and that it is more likely to occur among women than among men and among students with inadequate high school math backgrounds. Higher levels of math anxiety were related to lower mathematics achievement test scores, higher levels of test anxiety, and higher levels of trait anxiety. Implications for the identification and treatment of math-anxious students and for the process of educational/vocational counseling are discussed. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Children's Depression Inventory: Sex and grade norms for normal children.

Collected normative data for a children's depression inventory developed by M. Kovacs (see record 1981-31663-001) on 705 male and 758 female public school children in Grades 2–8. Although significant sex and grade differences were obtained through ANOVA, with females reporting fewer depressive symptoms than males, the absolute magnitude of these differences was small. Scores were consistent with those previously reported. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Depression in university students: Duration, relation to calendar time, prevalence, and demographic correlates.

The duration, relation to calendar time, prevalence, and demographic correlates of depression in university students were studied by administering the Beck Depression Inventory to 4 independent samples (N?=?222) either once or twice at 3 points in time separated by 3-wk intervals. The 3-wk test–retest reliability was .78. There was no significant effect of the 3 points in time sampled. 17% of the Ss scored depressed; of these, 67% still scored depressed 3 wks later. Depression was significantly negatively correlated with year level but was not significantly associated with sex, marital status, their interaction, or age. There was no difference between the rates of depression in lowerclassmen in 1974 and 1977. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Familial correlates of aggression in nondelinquent male children.

An extension of the Sears' studies of lower class families based on a 5-year period of direct home observation of the family group. The aggressive children were more closely supervised by parents, had dominant mothers, were exposed to inconsistent methods of discipline, and had parents who were punitive but placed low demands on the children. From Psyc Abstracts 36:01:3FG79M. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Changes in health-promoting behavior following diagnosis with HIV: Prevalence and correlates in a national probability sample.

Diet, exercise, smoking, and substance use patterns affect the course of illness and quality of life for people with HIV. In interviews with a national probability sample of 2,864 persons receiving HIV care, it was found that most had made health-promoting changes in one or more of these behaviors since diagnosis. Many reported increased physical activity (43%) and improved diet (59%). Forty-nine percent of cigarette smokers quit or cut down; 80% of substance users did so. Desire for involvement in one's HIV care and information seeking-positive coping were the most consistent correlates of change. Other correlates varied by health practice but included health status, emotional well-being, demographics, and attitudes toward other aspects of HIV care. Most people with HIV improve their health behavior following diagnosis, but more might be helped to do so by targeting these behaviors in future interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prevalence and clinical correlates of psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer''s disease

The Canadian Heart Health Initiative-Ontario Project (CHHIOP) investigates predisposition and capacity in Ontario public health departments to implement community-based heart health promotion activities. The research draws upon diffusion of innovations theory and recent work on ecological approaches to health promotion within which public health agencies are seen to play a central role. Mail-back surveys were completed by heart health staff in all 42 health departments in 1994 and 1996. Predisposition and capacity were measured as the importance and effectiveness ascribed to 18 organizational practices supportive of community heart health activities. Level of implementation was reported for 74 activities spanning a range of risk factors and settings. Predisposition, capacity and implementation scores increased between 1994 and 1996. The findings confirm positive correlations between predisposition and capacity and between capacity and implementation.     

Depression and anxiety in children: A comparison of self-report questionnaires to clinical interview.

The validity of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and the Trait Scale of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) were examined. Scores on these measures were compared to diagnoses and symptom scores derived from the Child Assessment Schedule. Ss were 70 psychiatric inpatient children, with a mean age of 10 yrs. Evidence was found for the convergent and discriminant validity of both the CDI and the STAIC. Scores for both depressed and anxious children were elevated on the RCMAS. The sensitivity for all 3 measures was too low for diagnostic purposes. Generally, these results support the use of these self-report questionnaires as screening measures and symptom inventories. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Renal deterioration in myelodysplastic children: urodynamic evaluation and clinical correlates

PURPOSE: We determined which factors portend a higher risk of renal deterioration in the myelodysplastic child, and evaluated the sensitivity and predictive value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical history, imaging studies and urodynamics of 90 children with spinal dysraphism. Median patient age at initial evaluation was 3 months and average followup ranged between 2 and 25 years (average 11). We evaluated the relation of urodynamic parameters and sex to upper tract changes and the resolution of these changes. RESULTS: Statistically significant relationships were identified between the urodynamic parameters of leak point pressure, compliance and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, and renal deterioration but not with resolution of deterioration. Boys and girls did not demonstrate a significant difference among urodynamic parameters. Female patients had a higher incidence of reflux and parenchymal loss. CONCLUSIONS: With knowledge of the inherent sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of urodynamic parameters, selective use of urodynamics will assist in identifying patients at risk of renal deterioration. Female patients with reflux are at greatest risk of parenchymal loss. We advocate early institution of intermittent catheterization in patients identified as high risk for deterioration by urodynamics.     

Serotonergic functioning in depressed abused children: clinical and familial correlates

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to examine serotonergic functioning and concomitant clinical and familial correlates in depressed abused children. METHODS: L-5-Hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP) (0.8 mg/kg) was administered intravenously to 10 depressed abused (MDD-AB), 10 depressed nonabused (MDD-NA), and 10 normal control nonabused (NC-NA) children. The children in the two nonabused cohorts represent a small matched subset of children from a larger interlocking study of the psychobiology of depression. Blood samples for prolactin and cortisol were collected from 30 min before to 2.5 hours after L-5-HTP infusion. RESULTS: The MDD-AB children secreted significantly more prolactin post-L-5-HTP than the children in the other two groups. There were no differences in baseline prolactin or any of the cortisol measures. Total prolactin post-L-5-HTP was significantly correlated with clinical ratings of aggressive behavior (rho = .48). In addition, children with a family history positive for suicide attempt (MDD-AB: n = 7; MDD-NA: n = 5; NC-NA: n = 2) secreted significantly more prolactin post-L-5-HTP than children with no family history of suicide. CONCLUSIONS: Dysregulation in the serotonergic system in abused children appears to be related to both familial and experiential factors.