An examination of Doctor of Psychology interns.

Questionnaire data from 9 clinical interns who were candidates for the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree showed that Ss (1) viewed their clinical skills and training as superior to those of clinicians' receiving the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree; (2) had received training similar to that of PhD candidates in the areas of psychotherapy, psychological evaluation, and psychodiagnostic assessment; (3) had adequately developed their research and writing skills; and (4) had not experienced difficulty in receiving placements. Findings support the value of the PsyD degree, although problems regarding its professional acceptance are noted. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Raised plasma endothelin-1 concentrations in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia without evidence of atherosclerosis

This study investigated the Psychosocial adjustment in 40 patients who received orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for several endstage liver diseases. Twenty patients were grafted because they suffered from liver Cancer as well as cirrhosis. Particular attention was paid to evaluating whether cancer could affect recipients' coping with transplant. Each patient underwent a semi-structured interview to obtain information on their psychosocial life, relationship with the donor, organ acceptance and life expectancy. Interview was performed I year after transplantation. A psychodiagnostic evaluation was also performed using a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and a Human Figure Test. Psychosocial adaptation in everyday life following liver transplantation seemed good in most of the patients, whatever the indication for transplantation might be. It can he seen that by replacing the diseased organ a high percentage of oncological patients overcame their fear of cancer.     

Is there a myofascial, temporomandibular disorder personality?

It is widely accepted that abnormal personality factors play an important role in the etiology and maintenance of myofascial-type temporomandibular disorder, or M/TMD. However, the foundation on which this belief rests is based largely on clinical lore, rather than on any evidence. The continued belief in the stress theory has important implications. Clinicians continue to be trained in unproven but traditionally sanctioned treatments. Such approaches not only may lead to problems of patient care, they may forge an unstable foundation for future research. Two theories are examined in this article: the psychosomatic and psychophysiological models. The findings show that both theories lack evidence, and further research is warranted because definitive studies are unavailable. The data from this study do not support the contention that M/TMD cases are characterized by a specific premorbid personality.     

In stories we trust: Studies of the validity of autobiographies.

There is a dearth of research addressing the validity of life stories, or autobiographies. In part, this is because it is unclear how such data sources might be validated. This article recommends 2 different perspectives for obtaining evidence relevant to the validity of autobiographical data. A study is conducted from each of these perspectives, and multiple validity estimates are obtained in each investigation. The construct validity of standard psychological constructs (e.g., assertiveness, trustworthiness) obtained in Study 1 from autobiographies was equal to that of standard instruments designed to assess these constructs. Evidence for the validity of life themes, extracted from autobiographies in Study 2, was also apparent. Because life histories, autobiographies, and case studies are relied on heavily in the practice of counseling psychology and are rapidly regaining popularity in scientific studies, these positive findings suggest the wisdom in this increasing use of life history data. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychometric issues in the assessment of clinical competencies.

Reviews studies that included measures of counselor or therapist competencies published between 1977 and mid-1982 in 4 journals: the Journal of Counseling Psychology, Counselor Education and Supervision, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, and Journal of Clinical Psychology. There were 235 instances of measuring clinicians' competencies in 149 studies. Evidence of the reliability and validity associated with the assessment instruments was examined for each one. A majority of the measurements were ratings of counselor or therapist interpersonal competency in clinical situations. Only 43% of the measurements included reliability data computed at the time they were used, and only 12% were accompanied by any evidence of their validity. The authors describe the types of instruments used in these studies and their psychometric properties, the behaviors and constructs that were assessed, and the most frequently used instruments. The implications of inadequate psychometric rigor in clinical competency assessment research are discussed, and recommendations are made for improving the reliability and validity of clinical performance appraisal. (39 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Circular reasoning about interpersonal behavior: Evidence concerning some untested assumptions underlying diagnostic classification.

There are a number of strong geometric and substantive assumptions involved when assessment instruments are used to classify persons into typological categories defined by the coordinates of the Interpersonal Circle. These assumptions were derived from interpersonal theory and stated in the form of hypotheses that were tested with reference to the revised Interpersonal Adjective Scales (IAS-R) in three groups of university undergraduates. Study 1 found strong support for the geometric and psychometric assumptions underlying diagnostic classification. Study 2 supported hypotheses concerning the relation between interpersonal profile variance (vector length) and measures of psychopathology. Study 3 found significant relations between vector length and interpersonal problems within all IAS-R diagnostic groups. We discuss the results in the context of their implications for psychodiagnostic research and for the experimental study of interpersonal processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Diagnostic test usage by forensic psychologists in emotional injury cases.

Psychologists are becoming increasingly involved in forensic assessments of emotional injuries. To determine which psychodiagnostic instruments are in use in emotional injury assessments and to see if practitioners use instruments for reasons consistent with the admissibility of expert testimony under Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals (1993), current psychodiagnostic instrument use in emotional injury cases was examined among 80 concurrent members of American Psychological Association Division 12 and Division 41. Findings indicate that test selection and reasons for test selection are highly variable. It is suggested that experts need to select tests more carefully and, specifically, with Daubert criteria in mind. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Projectives and their infirm research base.

Responds to E. F. Hammer (see record 83:35535) and S. Safran's (see record 83:35541) critiques of the authors' (see record 1995-34868-001) research into the interpretation of psychodiagnostic instruments by psychologists without experience in their use. Of concern to the authors is the lack of consideration given by the critics to the large body of research referenced by the original article. These references show the study to be grounded in a tradition of inquiry that questions the general usefulness of projective instruments. Specific criticisms that include the lack of a control group and the question of experimental deception are addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role of the public health (and environmental) office in urban development--current status and perspectives

Our central question is how the local public health services can influence urban development and urban renewal policies. The need for a three-way cooperation between departments of urban planning and development, environmental affairs and health is now being widely acknowledged. In practice, however, it has to face manifold and serious problems. We suggest that there are basically three essential "instruments" which could lead to a new and defined role of health departments in urban development: environmental and health audits, local health profiles and "health promotion committees" or similar bodies for closer cooperation at the local level. These three "instruments" are described in terms of the present state of development and dissemination by analysing empirical studies from public health research. The results indicate that the "new role" of local health services in urban planning and development is presently fulfilled only in a few pilot cases. The lack of basic requirements particularly in terms of resources, motivation and qualifications is the main cause for the inability to implement the three "instruments" on a broader level in local health services.     

A simple instrument for assessing stress in clinical practice

Methods to assess the role of stress factors in patients with medical conditions are often rather complex, require specific training, and are difficult to use in clinical practice. We attempted to develop a short index tailored to a busy clinical setting, which would be easy to use while providing adequate individual information. This index (Psychosocial Index) was largely derived from well-established instruments, such as Kellner's Screening List for Psychosocial Problems. In addition, on the basis of the patient's self-report of items, the clinician is asked to rate four dimensions of the patient's life: stress, wellbeing, psychological distress, and illness behaviour. The questionnaires of 34 female patients with functional medical disorders were first rated by an internist and afterwards, blindly, by a psychiatrist. Agreement between the two raters was excellent, as measured by the intraclass correlation coefficient. It is hoped that this Psychosocial Index may provide a new tool for psychosomatic research and practice.     

Introduction.

The development of effective interventions that focus on the manipulation and utilization of behavioral and psychological variables to influence health outcomes is an important component of health psychology. Investigators in clinical health psychology make important contributions to our basic understanding of the role of behavioral and psychological factors in disease and contribute to improved patient care in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention programs. The purpose of the present series of Health Psychology articles is to provide readers who may not be familiar with research in clinical health psychology with a sample of research in this area and to emphasize that the journal is an outlet for research in clinical health psychology. This series of articles represents some of the diversity and strengths of research in clinical health psychology. The investigations range from controlled laboratory investigations to worksite field interventions. The scope of outcome and process measures encompasses behavioral, subjective, and physiological changes. The studies utilize both hypothetico-deductive and inductive theoretical models to generate hypotheses. Finally, several of the studies provide outcomes that clinically benefit the study participants. It is hoped that identification of Health Psychology as a resource for clinical health psychology research will stimulate the submission of more high-quality articles in this area. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Reasons to leave shiftwork and psychological and psychosomatic complaints of former shiftworkers": Correction to Frese and Okonek.

Reports an error in "Reasons to leave shiftwork and psychological and psychosomatic complaints of former shiftworkers" by Michael Frese and Klaus Okonek (Journal of Applied Psychology, 1984[Aug], Vol 69[3], 509-514). On p. 510, first column, third line from the bottom of the page, the N for the OR group should be 96, not 36. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1984-32942-001.) 191 male blue-collar workers who had previously worked nights and shifts were differentiated into 3 groups: a group that had left night- and shiftwork because of health reasons; another that left it for various other reasons; and a middle group that had a combination of health and other reasons for leaving. Ss completed measures of environmental and psychological stress, psychosomatic and other health complaints, and irritation and strain. Findings show that the 1st group had more health complaints than the one that left for other reasons. They were less skilled, had been unemployed less often, and were typically told by their physician to leave shiftwork. They had also stayed in shiftwork longer than the group that left shiftwork for other reasons. It is suggested that studies on former shiftworkers should differentiate between these groups so as not to underestimate the real problems of former shiftworkers who left for health reasons. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychosomatic research today: a clinician's overview

Emphasis is placed on the opportunities and importance, at this time, of continuing with clinically oriented psychosomatic research. For instance, the multidimensional studies of sleep and of depression are beginning to throw new light on psychosomatic processes, and so too are the studies of life events and illness. Short-term prospective clinical investigations provide an attractive framework for such work and they can be complementary to long-term survey studies investigating relationships between constitutional characteristics including personality, and social conditions and disease. There are some useful new tools for measureing psychological characteristics.     

The science of unitary human beings: an integrative review

This article is an integrative review of the research which has been carried out based on Martha Rogers' conceptual framework, the science of unitary, irreducible human beings. Results of the review supported the model and theories which have been derived from the framework. However, because of methodological difficulties in measuring the concepts and because of the instruments being used, this support is not statistically significant. More research is needed using methods and instruments which better fit the concepts that are basic to the Rogerian principles of homeodynamics. Also, theories being used as the basis of the study need to be more definitively stated in future research.     

Intrauterine nutrition

Foetal or intrauterine nutrition is a subject of increasing interest. There are two main reasons for this. The first one is the observation that being born small for gestational age is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes later in life. The second one is the discovery that nutritional factors directly influence activity of genes. If nutritional inadequacies in the foetal period permanently alter the expression of genes, the individual's susceptibility to perinatal complications and diseases later in life may be altered. The main causes of intrauterine malnutrition are poor maternal diet, placental insufficiency, and impaired foetal usage of nutrients. The consequences of foetal malnutrition may include intrauterine growth retardation, congenital malformation, a variety of neurological dysfunctions, susceptibility to birth asphyxia, and diseases later in life; all of these are important determinants of health throughout life.     

Coping with illness in myasthenia gravis in comparison with other chronic neuromuscular diseases

Seventy-nine patients with chronic neuromuscular diseases were examined by psychodiagnostic tests. The most frequently used coping strategies were "compliance and confidence in the physician", "self encouragement", "to relative by comparison" and "problem-solving". Comparison of the test sample and our total sampling group and the groups divided by diagnosis showed more common features than differences in the coping process. This might be caused by similar general problems in chronic diseases. Less "compliance and confidence in the physician" was the only significant difference between the myasthenic patients and the remaining test group. We supposed less treatment possibilities and/or longer duration of illness (remaining test group) to be responsible for this result. Duration of illness in common seems to have an influence on coping. Patients suffering a longer illness showed reduced values in "self encouragement". Common and specific problems and circumstances of illness seem to be more significant for the coping process than the diagnosis. The patients' mood, which we took as a measure for partial aspects of adaptivity of coping, correlated significantly with the strength of the complaints felt. Classification into adaptive and maladaptive coping forms is not possible.     

Reasons to leave shiftwork and psychological and psychosomatic complaints of former shiftworkers.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 70(2) of Journal of Applied Psychology (see record 2008-10966-001). On p. 510, first column, third line from the bottom of the page, the N for the OR group should be 96, not 36.] 191 male blue-collar workers who had previously worked nights and shifts were differentiated into 3 groups: a group that had left night- and shiftwork because of health reasons; another that left it for various other reasons; and a middle group that had a combination of health and other reasons for leaving. Ss completed measures of environmental and psychological stress, psychosomatic and other health complaints, and irritation and strain. Findings show that the 1st group had more health complaints than the one that left for other reasons. They were less skilled, had been unemployed less often, and were typically told by their physician to leave shiftwork. They had also stayed in shiftwork longer than the group that left shiftwork for other reasons. It is suggested that studies on former shiftworkers should differentiate between these groups so as not to underestimate the real problems of former shiftworkers who left for health reasons. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distinguished Contribution for Applications in Psychology Award for 1978: Alphonse Chapanis.

Alphonse Chapanis was presented the Distinguished Contribution for Applications in Psychology Award for his contribution as a founder of the field of engineering psychology and for his pioneering research and leadership in the field over a 35-year period. He was the senior author (with Wendell Garner and Clifford Morgan) of the first systematic book to cover the field of engineering psychology, and he wrote the first important methodology text in the field. The enormous range of his contributions includes his early studies on basic visual mechanisms, his research on workstation design and man-machine systems relations, and his more recent studies on information processing and telecommunications. He has provided numerous insights on ways to apply sound psychological research to societal problems in a technological age. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nancy Bayley: American Psychological Association Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award.

Notes that Nancy Bayley is one of the recipients of the 1966 American Psychological Association Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award. Her citation reads: "For the enterprise, pertinacity, and insight with which she has studied human growth over long segments of the life cycle. With consummate skill in the use of available but imperfect instruments and with respect and sensitiveness for her subjects, she has rigorously recorded their physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development from birth to middle life. Her studies have enriched psychology with enduring contributions to the measurement and meaning of intelligence, and she traced important strands in the skein of factors involved in psychological development. Her participation in a number of major programs of developmental research is a paradigm of the conjoint efforts which are essential in a field whose problems span the generations." A personal biography is also included, along with a listing of her scientific writings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)