Hopelessness, social desirability, and construct validity.

M. M. Linehan and S. L. Nielsen (see record 1982-01443-001) questioned the construct validity of the Hopelessness Scale on the basis of its covariation with the Edwards Social Desirability Scale. The present author suggests that social desirability (SD) should not be invoked as a potential confound unless the obtained covariation is theoretically inconsistent or is so overlapping as to make the respective scales redundant with respect to factorial content. It is argued that the "sacred cow" status of SD as a potential confound to the interpretability of psychological tests should be reexamined. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cluster analysis of training orientations in clinical psychology.

Performed a cluster analysis of therapeutic approaches in clinical training on the basis of data provided in a survey conducted by G. Colletti et al (1983) of program directors of 96 clinical psychology training programs. Support was found for the emerging popularity of eclectic and cognitive behavioral training approaches in academic clinical psychology. The analysis revealed 3 relatively discrete clusters and 1 heterogeneous grouping: eclectic/cognitive-behavioral (n?=?59); broad-spectrum behavioral (n?=?13); psychoanalytic/humanistic (n?=?8); and unclassified (n?=?16). Psychoanalytically oriented training programs tended to be concentrated in large urban settings. It is suggested that the adoption of eclectic and cognitive behavioral approaches among clinical practitioners may be expected to grow as graduates of training programs emphasizing such orientations enter the field. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologist treatment recommendations for Internet-based therapeutic interventions

A mailed survey was used to evaluate psychologists’ endorsements of four Internet-based treatment modalities (e-mail, individual chat, group chat, and video conferencing) as either adjunctive or alternative forms of treatment. Participants were 138 psychologists recruited from a state psychological organization’s membership directory. Participants provided endorsements for each Internet-based intervention based on a hypothetical case in which past treatment history was manipulated in a randomized design. Overall, psychologists provided low levels of endorsement of Internet-based services; however, significantly higher levels of endorsement were found for a case vignette that lacked any mention of past treatment history as compared to an otherwise identical case that mentioned previous treatment for major depression. Additionally, participants provided higher endorsements for e-mail applications than other modalities and cognitive-behaviorally-oriented practitioners more strongly endorsed the use of Internet-based interventions than psychoanalytically-oriented practitioners.     

Integrating the real and academic worlds: An experienced-based research training model.

Notes that a shift toward more applied settings of employment among research psychologists has focused attention on the need to develop training models to prepare psychologists for careers in applied/evaluative research. A research practicum course sequence is suggested as a training device for developing applied skills during graduate training. The research practica in a doctoral program in applied research and evaluation are described. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The admissions process in clinical training: The role of the personal interview.

Examined the relative contributions of admissions interview ratings and various objective measures, such as GPA and test scores, in discriminating among 60 applicants to a clinical psychology program either accepted for admission, placed on an alternate list, or denied admission. Results show that interview ratings, particularly ratings of the applicant's clinical potential, contributed incrementally to group separation when first taking into account the contributions of the objective measures. The need to validate interview evaluations as a basis for selection decisions and to examine utilization of admissions criteria is discussed. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factors predicting participant attrition in a community-based, culturally specific smoking-cessation program for Hispanic smokers.

Factors predicting participant attrition in a community-based, culturally specific smoking-cessation program enrolling 93 Hispanic smokers were examined. Analysis of univariate predictors showed noncompleters (n?=?18) to have lower incomes, to have expressed greater initial confidence in their ability to stop smoking, and to have perceived themselves to be in poorer general health and poorer health in relation to peers, than completers. Noncompleters were also more likely to have reported cardiovascular problems. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that confidence in stopping smoking, health compared with that of peers, and reported cardiovascular problems contributed significantly to prediction while controlling for other significant univariate predictors. The results are discussed in terms of factors that might mitigate premature termination in community-based smoking-cessation interventions targeting Hispanic smokers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anxiety and cognitive performance in adolescent women with disruptive behavior disorders

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell-specific angiogenic and permeability-inducing factor that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. In the present study, the localization and magnitude of VEGF, VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1), and VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) gene expression were examined in the eye of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats using quantitative in situ hybridization. VEGF protein was also examined by immunohistochemistry. Abundant VEGF mRNA and protein were present in the retinae of control rats. In the retinae of diabetic rats, VEGF gene expression was increased compared with control animals (p = 0.001). The increase in VEGF mRNA was noted in the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer but not in the pigment epithelium of the retina. VEGF was also detected in blood vessels, ciliary body, and lens epithelium in both control and diabetic rats. The distributions of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 were similar in both control and diabetic rats. VEGFR-1 mRNA was present beneath the inner limiting membrane and in the ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer, and outer limiting membrane of the retina; it was also detected in blood vessels, the ciliary body, and the cornea. The magnitude and distribution of ocular VEGFR-1 mRNA were not affected by experimental diabetes. Expression of VEGFR-2 mRNA was noted in the inner nuclear layer and pigment epithelium of the retina and in blood vessels. An increase in VEGFR-2 mRNA in the diabetic retina was restricted to the inner nuclear layer. The presence of VEGF and its receptors in the control retina suggests a physiologic role for VEGF within the eye. The changes in retinal expression of VEGF and VEGFR-2 in association with diabetes suggest a role for this pathway in diabetic retinopathy.     

Evaluation apprehension on psychological inventories in a prison-based setting.

Administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) validity scales, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, and a sexual fantasy questionnaire to 120 incarcerated male sex offenders (aged 19–55 yrs) either without prior cuing or following exposure to experimental cues that identified psychological health and growth with either positive or negative self-disclosure. Ss' responses were obtained from either bogus pipeline testing or open format testing conditions. Results show that positively cued Ss achieved significantly higher F scale scores and lower K scale scores, and they reported significantly more anxiety symptoms and interpersonal problems. Sexual fantasy disclosures did not differ significantly across conditions, nor did the bogus pipeline apparatus facilitate self-disclosure. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)