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Questionnaire Measures (questionnaire + measure)
Selected AbstractsPrecursors and correlates of criminal behaviour in womenCRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2004Dr Julie Messer Background The precursors and correlates of criminal behaviour in women were examined in this longitudinal study of women in their late thirties. Methods The sample consisted of a high-risk group of women (n = 86) and a comparison group ( n = 97): the former had been raised in institutional care. Questionnaire measures of childhood behaviour problems and detailed interview data from two time points in adulthood were obtained, along with official records of offending. Results In terms of childhood precursors, antisocial behaviour, institutional rearing, hyperactivity and adolescent conduct disorder were found to be significantly related to offending. Later adolescent factors were also found to be important: mixing with deviant peers and leaving school without any qualifications or plans for work. Correlates of offending in adulthood included difficulties in mental health, drug use, marriage and parenting. Further analysis was undertaken to clarify the associations by using ex-care status and conduct disorder as covariates. Discussion Well-established predictors of offending in male samples seem quite as important for women and girls. The findings also suggested strong links between offending and problems in parenting. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Two Dimensions of Attachment to God and Their Relation to Affect, Religiosity, and Personality ConstructsJOURNAL FOR THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF RELIGION, Issue 4 2002Wade Rowatt In this study we sought to address several limitations of previous research on attachment theory and religion by (1) developing a dimensional attachment to God scale, and (2) demonstrating that dimensions of attachment to God are predictive of measures of affect and personality after controlling for social desirability and other related dimensions of religiosity. Questionnaire measures of these constructs were completed by a sample of university students and community adults (total n= 374). Consistent with prior research on adult romantic attachment, two dimensions of attachment to God were identified: avoidance and anxiety. After statistically controlling for social desirability, intrinsic religiousness, doctrinal orthodoxy, and loving God image, anxious attachment to God remained a significant predictor of neuroticism, negative affect, and (inversely) positive affect; avoidant attachment to God remained a significant inverse predictor of religious symbolic immortality and agreeableness. These findings are evidence that correlations between attachment to God and measures of personality and affect are not merely byproducts of confounding effects of socially desirable responding or other dimensions of religiosity. [source] Risk factors for adult-onset asthma: A 14-year longitudinal studyRESPIROLOGY, Issue 6 2009Euzebiusz JAMROZIK ABSTRACT Background and objectives: Few longitudinal studies have examined the risk factors and natural history of adult-onset asthma. This study assessed the subject characteristics and lifestyle factors that predicted the new diagnosis of asthma in adulthood and how these factors changed over time in those who developed asthma compared with those who do not. Methods: The study enrolled 1554 adults from the Busselton Health Study seen in 1981 and again in 1994,1995 who initially reported never having had doctor-diagnosed asthma. Questionnaire measures were used to assess doctor-diagnosed asthma, respiratory history and tobacco smoking. Height, weight and spirometric measures of lung function were measured. Atopy was assessed by skin prick tests. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for adult-onset asthma and changes over time. Results: Reported wheeze, rhinitis, chronic cough, smoking and lower levels of lung function in 1981 each predicted asthma diagnosis by 1994,1995. Neither initial skin-prick reactivity nor newly positive skin-prick tests at follow up were associated with adult-onset asthma. Those diagnosed with asthma were more likely to have new wheeze, new rhinitis, new habitual snoring, weight gain and excess decline in lung function. Conclusions: Adult-onset asthma has risk factors that are distinct from those observed in childhood asthma. The presence of upper airway symptoms including rhinitis, as well as lifestyle factors, such as smoking, predicts those at greatest risk. However, neither pre-existing atopy nor new atopy as measured by skin prick tests was associated with adult-onset asthma. [source] Do mood disorders alter crying? a pilot investigationDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 5 2008Jonathan Rottenberg Ph.D. Abstract Clinical commentators widely interpret crying as a sign of depressed mood. However, there is virtually no empirical data on this topic, and the evidence that mood disorders alter crying is surprisingly weak. This study compared mood disordered patients to a nonpsychiatric reference group on the frequency, antecedents, and consequences of crying behavior using a well-validated questionnaire measure of crying. Forty-four outpatients diagnosed with three forms of mood pathology were age and gender matched to a reference group of 132 participants sampled to be representative of the Dutch population. Both groups completed the Adult Crying Inventory, which provides estimates of the self-reported frequency, antecedents, and consequences of crying behavior. Depression severity and psychiatric symptom severity data were also collected from patients. Compared with the reference group, patients with mood pathology reported increased cry proneness to negative antecedents. By contrast, patients and controls did not differ in reported cry proneness to positive antecedents. Patients reported less mood improvement after crying than did controls. Among male patients, but not female patients, depression severity was associated with increased crying proneness and increased crying frequency. This pilot investigation suggests that mood disorders increase the frequency of negative emotional crying, and may also alter the functions of this behavior. Mood disorders may influence male crying to a greater extent than female crying. Future directions designed to clarify the causal pathways between mood disorders and alterations in crying behavior are discussed. Depression and Anxiety 0:1,7, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Psychometric properties of the Retrospective Self Report of Inhibition (RSRI) in a representative German sampleINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 2 2008Heike Rohrbacher Abstract The present study examined the internal consistency, factorial structure, and construct validity of the German version of the Retrospective Self Report of Inhibition (RSRI), a questionnaire measure of behavioral inhibition. The research was based on data from a German prospective-longitudinal community study of 3021 adolescents and young adults (aged 14,24 years at baseline). Diagnostic assessment was based on the DSM-IV/M-CIDI and general psychopathological distress was assessed with SCL-90-R. Results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated adequate fit of the two-factor model, suggested by the authors of the original version. Indices of internal consistency of the RSRI and its subscales ,social/school' and ,fear/illness' were shown to be sufficient for the total sample and even higher in subgroups of subjects with certain DSM-IV diagnoses. Associations with variables such as mental distress, parental psychopathology, and DSM-IV disorders were in line with theoretical assumptions and confirm different aspects of the validity (convergent, concurrent, predictive) of the instrument. The psychometric properties of the German RSRI were found to be comparable to those of the English version. The applicability of this questionnaire in German-speaking countries is therefore recommended for adolescents and young adults. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Capacity of People with Intellectual Disabilities to Consent to Take Part in a Research StudyJOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 2 2007Linda Dye Background, Within the context of current legislation relating to mental capacity in adults, the capacity of people with intellectual disabilities to consent to take part in research studies and the impact of different forms of information provision was experimentally investigated. Materials and methods, A questionnaire measure of ability to consent to take part in this research study was administered individually to participants. A total of 102 participants with intellectual disabilities were recruited from three day services for adults with intellectual disabilities. Consent information appertaining to taking part in an actual research project was presented to participants and their capacity assessed using a questionnaire. Three experimental conditions were used: ,,Control (n = 34) , consent information was presented followed by the questionnaire. ,,Section (n = 34) , consent information was broken into sections and the appropriate questions were asked following each section. ,,Photograph (n = 34) , consent information was accompanied by six colour photographs, followed by the questionnaire. Participants also completed measures of memory ability, verbal ability and non-verbal problem-solving ability. Results, Seventeen participants withdrew from the study at some point. Of the remaining 85 participants, no significant differences in ability to consent scores were found between the experimental conditions. Using this measure, only five participants (5.9%) were deemed able to consent, i.e. scored the minimum required on each aspect of consent. Conclusions, The validity and usefulness of the current dichotomous concept of consent is challenged as only a small proportion of participants were deemed able to consent. [source] The perceived expressed emotion in staff scaleJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 1 2003J. FORSTER Recent research has highlighted the role of expressed emotion by ward staff in determining the well-being of psychiatric inpatients. Existing methods of assessing staff expressed emotion involve standardized interviews and are expensive and time-consuming. We report the development of a questionnaire measure of expressed emotion in staff as perceived by patients. In study 1, factor analysis of items administered to patients in a variety of settings led to the development of a questionnaire with three subscales: supportiveness, criticism and intrusiveness. In study 2, the test,retest reliability of the questionnaire was found to be adequate, and some evidence of concurrent validity for the scale was obtained against expressed emotion rated from staff speech samples. In study 3, the scale was shown to have good concurrent validity against the ward atmosphere scale, and scores were found to be independent of insight or experience of admission to hospital. The perceived expressed emotion in staff scale is a convenient measure, which may have utility for both research and clinical purposes. [source] A taxometric investigation of the latent structure of social anxiety disorder in outpatients with anxiety and mood disordersDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 4 2006Dylan M. Kollman M.A. Abstract The latent structure of social phobia was examined in a sample of 2,035 outpatients with anxiety and mood disorders to determine whether the disorder operates in a categorical or dimensional fashion. We performed three mathematically distinct taxometric procedures,MAMBAC, MAXEIG, and L-Mode,using five indicators constructed from clinical interview ratings and questionnaire measures of social anxiety symptoms. Results from screening analyses and simulated comparison data consistently indicated that the data were suitable for taxometric analysis. The collective results across procedures, consistency tests, and analysis of simulated comparison data produced converging evidence in support of the conclusion that the latent structure of social phobia is dimensional. Depression and Anxiety 23:190,199, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Family members of relatives with alcohol, drug and gambling problems: a set of standardized questionnaires for assessing stress, coping and strainADDICTION, Issue 11 2005Jim Orford ABSTRACT Aims To describe a set of standard questionnaire measures for the assessment of the needs of family members of relatives with alcohol, drug or gambling problems, and to present evidence of their reliability and validity from a series of related studies. Design Includes cross-sectional and repeated-measurement studies. Setting and participants Family members affected by and concerned about the problem drinking or drug-taking of close relatives in treatment and non-treatment samples in the United Kingdom (white and Sikh) and Mexico City; family members of untreated heavy drinkers; and family members of problem gamblers. Measurements Four measures derived from a stress,strain,coping,support model of alcohol, drugs and gambling problems and the family: Family Member Impact scale (FMI), Symptom Rating Test (SRT), Coping Questionnaire (CQ), and Hopefulness,Hopelessness scale (HOPE). FMI, SRT and CQ assess stress, strain and coping, respectively. The exact role of HOPE in the model remains to be determined. The support component remains unmeasured. Findings Results from a number of studies support the internal reliability, discriminant and construct validity and sensitivity to change of the SRT and its two constituent scales (psychological and physical symptoms) and at least two subscales of the CQ (engaged and tolerant,inactive coping). Although showing evidence of satisfactory reliability and some evidence of discriminant validity, further work may be required on the CQ withdrawal coping subscale. Evidence suggests that the FMI is reliable and valid and may have a factor structure that will support future research (distinguishing worrying behaviour from active disturbance). HOPE is a new measure showing promising characteristics. Conclusions A set of standard measures is available for helping to assess the needs of concerned and affected family members, derived from an explicit model of the family in relation to excessive drinking, drug taking or gambling. It may have a role to play in correcting the current neglect of the needs of such family members, estimated to be in the region of nearly a million adults in Britain alone. [source] Estimating readiness for change in anorexia nervosa: Comparing clients, clinicians, and research assessorsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 3 2002Josie Geller Abstract Objective This research compared the relative ability of clients, clinicians, and research assessors in estimating readiness for change in individuals with anorexia nervosa. Method Fifty-six individuals with a current or past diagnosis of anorexia nervosa made ratings of the extent to which they perceived themselves to be ready for treatment and recovery. Clinicians and research assessors made the same ratings based on their impressions following clinical and research assessments, respectively. The outcome variables included questionnaire measures of change activities, assigned behavioral tasks, and clients' decision to accept intensive treatment. Results While research assessor and client ratings predicted questionnaire recovery activities, only research assessor ratings predicted completion of behavioral tasks and clients' decision to accept intensive treatment. Clinician ratings were not related to any of the questionnaire or behavioral recovery activity measures. Discussion Conditions favoring the accurate prediction of readiness for treatment and recovery are discussed, and implications for clinical practice are addressed. © 2002 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 31: 251,260, 2002; DOI 10.1002/eat.10045 [source] ALDH2 Status, Alcohol Expectancies, and Alcohol Response: Preliminary Evidence for a Mediation ModelALCOHOLISM, Issue 11 2001Denis M. McCarthy Background: A genetic variant in the alcohol-metabolizing enzyme (aldehyde dehydrogenase;ALDH2*2 allele), common in individuals of Asian heritage, has been associated with both physiologic response to alcohol and alcohol consumption. Prior research has also demonstrated that those with ALDH2*2 alleles have lower positive alcohol expectancies than those without these alleles. This preliminary study was designed to test whether the level of response to alcohol is the mechanism by which ALDH2 status may affect alcohol expectancies. Methods: Data were collected from 32 Asian American college students (14 women and 18 men). By use of a randomized, double-blind design, participants were administered oral placebo and alcohol at separate laboratory sessions. Data included blood tests to establish ALDH2 status, questionnaire measures of demographic information and alcohol expectancy, and several physiologic measures collected after placebo and alcohol administration. Results: ALDH2 status was related to alcohol response measures for both men and women. ALDH2 status was also related to tension reduction expectancies for women and to expectancies for cognitive behavioral impairment for men. In the male sample, the ALDH2/expectancy relationship was fully explained by the level of response to alcohol. Conclusions: These results represent a first step in understanding the mechanisms by which genetic factors, such as ALDH2 status, can affect alcohol-related learning. [source] Sense of coherence as a protective factor for demoralisation in women with a recent diagnosis of gynaecological cancerPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Nadia Boscaglia Abstract Background: Demoralisation is a dysphoric mood state commonly seen in the medically ill. Its core features comprise hopelessness, helplessness, loss of purpose and meaning, despair, and existential distress. Sense of Coherence (SOC) is a quantifiable dispositional orientation that captures the character traits likely to protect against demoralisation. In this study, we hypothesised on theoretical grounds that a strong SOC would be associated with lower levels of demoralisation in the context of gynaecological cancer (GC). Method: One hundred and twenty women with a recent (<12 months) diagnosis of GC were recruited from outpatient clinics. Participants were interviewed and completed questionnaire measures of demoralisation and SOC. A multiple regression analysis was performed using the five subscales of the Demoralisation Scale as predictor variables and SOC as the dependent variable. Results: Together, the five subscales of the Demoralisation Scale accounted for 60% of the variance in SOC. Conclusions: The results supported the hypothesis, suggesting that SOC may be protective against demoralisation in the context of serious illness. Larger, multivariate studies that examine additional variables (such as coping) would be required to further clarify the relationship between SOC and demoralisation. In the meantime, clinicians may want to consider efforts to enhance SOC in patients. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Surrogacy families: parental functioning, parent,child relationships and children's psychological development at age 2THE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 2 2006Susan Golombok Background:, Findings are presented of the second phase of a longitudinal study of families created through surrogacy. Methods:, At the time of the child's 2nd birthday, 37 surrogacy families were compared with 48 egg donation families and 68 natural conception families on standardised interview and questionnaire measures of the psychological well-being of the parents, parent,child relationships and the psychological functioning of the child. Results:, The surrogacy mothers showed more positive parent,child relationships, and the surrogacy fathers reported lower levels of parenting stress, than their natural conception counterparts. The surrogacy children did not differ from the natural conception children with respect to socio-emotional or cognitive development. Conclusions:, Surrogacy does not appear to impact negatively on parenting or child development in families with 2-year-old children. [source] The "Test-Tube" Generation: Parent,Child Relationships and the Psychological Well-Being of In Vitro Fertilization Children at AdolescenceCHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2001Susan Golombok The introduction of in vitro fertilization (IVF) at the end of the 20th century constituted a fundamental change in the way in which families could be created, and by the start of the new millennium an increasing number of children have been (and are being) born as a result of this procedure. This article presents findings of a longitudinal study of the first cohort of children conceived by IVF to reach adolescence. Thirty-four IVF families, 49 adoptive families, and 38 families with a naturally conceived child were compared on standardized interview and questionnaire measures of parent,child relationships and children's psychological well-being. The few differences in parent,child relationships that were identified appeared to be associated with the experience of infertility rather than with IVF per se. The IVF children were found to be functioning well and did not differ from the adoptive or naturally conceived children on any of the assessments of social or emotional adjustment. [source] | |||||||||||||