A Measure for the Reliability of a Rating Scale Based on Longitudinal Clinical Trial Data

A new measure for reliability of a rating scale is introduced, based on the classical definition of reliability, as the ratio of the true score variance and the total variance. Clinical trial data can be employed to estimate the reliability of the scale in use, whenever repeated measurements are taken. The reliability is estimated from the covariance parameters obtained from a linear mixed model. The method provides a single number to express the reliability of the scale, but allows for the study of the reliability’s time evolution. The method is illustrated using a case study in schizophrenia. The authors are grateful to J&J PRD for kind permission to use their data. We gratefully acknowledge support from the Belgian IUAP/PAI network “Statistical Techniques and Modeling for Complex Substantive Questions with Complex Data.”     

Forgiveness and Marriage: Preliminary Support for a Measure Based on A Model of Recovery From A Marital Betrayal

Forgiveness is an issue that recently has received increasing attention in the psychological literature, yet little empirical research has been conducted on this topic. This article presents initial support and validation of an inventory based upon Gordon and Baucom s (1998) three-stage synthesized model of forgiveness in marital relationships. This model places forgiveness in the framework of a reaction to a traumatic interpersonal event. One hundred seven community couples completed several measures of marital functioning, along with the new measure of forgiveness. The measure achieved internal reliability, and a confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the resulting subscales are a good fit with the data. Further results offered preliminary support for the inventory s validity and its relation to various aspect of marital functioning. Individuals placed into groups based upon their scores on this measure reported expected levels of global forgiveness, relationship power and closeness, and assumptions about themselves and their partners. The limitations of the study are identified, and clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed.     

Assessing the Impact of a Race‐Based Course on Counseling Students: A Quantitative Study

This study sought to determine changes in 121 White counseling students following their participation in an experiential, race‐based course taught in a group format. Pre‐ and postoutcomes were reported based on instruments that measured White racial identity development, White privilege, color blindness, and the costs of racism. Findings indicated significant changes according to the majority of measures, although with certain distinctions. Findings are discussed in light of the current literature. Este estudio trató de determinar los cambios en 121 estudiantes blancos de consejería después de su participación en un curso experiencial basado en la raza que se enseñó en formato de grupo. Se comunicaron los resultados previos y posteriores basándose en instrumentos que midieron el desarrollo de la identidad racial blanca, el privilegio blanco, la falta de percepción de color y los costos del racismo. Los hallazgos indicaron cambios significativos según la mayoría de mediciones, aunque con ciertas distinciones. Se discuten los hallazgos a la luz de las investigaciones actuales.     

Let's Ask the Homeless People Themselves: A Needs Assessment Based on a Probability Sample of Adults

A probability sample of 301 homeless adults from Buffalo, NY, was followed over 6 months to document the utilization of a variety of community services, examine services desired, and identify factors associated with service utilization, preference, and satisfaction. The following needs were all rated as at least equally important as the need for affordable housing: safety, education, transportation, medical/dental treatment, and job training/placement (most of these needs were also rated as difficult to obtain). Needs for formal mental health and substance abuse services were rated as relatively unimportant and easy to obtain, and for those who actually used them, respondents were often dissatisfied with them. Of 16 predictor variables examined in multivariate analyses, several showed consistent relationships with subsequent service use, preference, and satisfaction. Younger adults, persons of color, those with dependent children, and persons having fewer social supports reported less service utilization, less satisfaction with services received, different perceived needs for particular services, and/or greater difficulty obtaining services.     

Order Preservation of PEST Determined Certainty Equivalents: A Test Based on Lotteries with a Fixed Preference Strength

A major assumption of many utility theories is that preferences over lotteries are monotonic in consequences. Under additional reasonable conditions, this means that the choice certainty equivalent (CE) of a lottery should be substitutable for the lottery, but some empirical evidence has suggested otherwise. So several reasonable conditions need to be studied. They are monotonicity of consequences, order preservation of CEs, and bias in estimates of CEs. This paper addresses the second assumption. To do this an algorithm is devised that generates pairs of lotteries with exactly the same preference probability of choice. This permits one to average over both subjects and lotteries. With a sample size of 102, there was no evidence that order preservation of CEs is violated.     

基于直线临摹的ADHD儿童眼手协调能力研究

ADHD儿童在精细动作方面通常伴随眼手协调运动障碍。以往采用的研究方法多为定性研究,且未在ADHD儿童的运动协调性与同龄正常儿童的差异上得出统一结论。本研究针对精细动作中眼手协调能力进行定量分析。实验要求被试在计算机触摸屏上分别临摹水平线、垂直线和斜线,通过记录临摹直线与呈现直线的偏差程度和拐点数,以分析ADHD儿童眼手协调能力与正常儿童之间的差异。结果表明,ADHD儿童在眼手协调和空间知觉能力上与正常儿童存在显著性差异。此外,本研究表明,改进的定量方法具有良好的可行性。     

"神道设教"说考释

“神道设教”学说滥觞于远古时代,殷周之际人们开始对宗教祭祀的教化功能进行思考,至春秋时代逐渐酝酿成熟,战国时期方提出了“神道设教”这一命题,从而消解了敬天尊祖的传统宗教与自然哲学的紧张。它具有陶冶百姓,凝聚人心,纯洁风俗,稳定秩序,传承文明的重要作用,影响深远。     

1940年日本细菌战引发的农安长春鼠疫考——基于731部队解密资料的研究

1940年6月～11月,农安长春鼠疫流行。虽有部分文献和档案记录了这场鼠疫流行,然而关于鼠疫流行原因、过程及相关问题却并不十分清楚。在对已有文献梳理基础上,通过对731部队解密科学研究报告的解读分析发现,1940年农安长春鼠疫始于日军细菌战“谋略”,是与浙江细菌战同时进行的细菌战研究,农安鼠疫是细菌战基础研究,浙江细菌战则是实战模型,目的是对鼠疫细菌战剂的播撒方式及其杀伤力进行检测,为寻找有效的细菌武器提供科学依据。1940年农安长春鼠疫是其细菌战研究中的重要节点。

     

论明代史学家王世贞对管仲的评价

明代著名史学家王世贞对春秋时期杰出的政治家管仲,曾给予全面且较高的评价。王世贞关注管仲,与当时朱明王朝取代蒙元政权关系密切,还与王世贞曾在青州任职有关。王世贞的治史思想,还不可避免地受到明中后期阳明心学的影响。通过分析王世贞对管仲的评价,可以明晰王世贞的治史特点,并为分析明代的时代特征和社会变迁提供佐证。     

A Study of Health Perception,Disability Acceptance,and Life Satisfaction Based on Types of Leisure Activity Among Koreans with a Physical Disability

Leisure studies provide evidence that leisure engagement serves as a vehicle for improving life satisfaction among individuals with a physical disability. However, a dearth of research addresses which types of leisure activities are associated with specific psychological benefits. This study sought to capture three aspects of psychological benefits: acceptance of disability, life satisfaction, and health perception, and to explore how leisure activities are related to these psychological benefits. Using data released from the 2011 Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled in Korea, this study found that individuals with a physical disability who participate in social activity, religious activity, and Internet use reported high health perception, life satisfaction, and disability acceptance. In particular, findings of this study provide evidence that social activity participation plays an important role in increasing health benefits among individuals with a physical disability.     

A randomized controlled trial on the long-term effects of a 1-month behavioral weight control program assisted by computer tailored advice

OBJECTIVES: To examine the long-term effects of a new behavioral weight control program (Kenkou-tatsujin, KT program). The program consisted of twice-interactive letter communications including computer-tailored personal advice on treatment needs and behavioral modification. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial comparing Group KM: KT program with 6-month weight and targeted behavior's self-monitoring, Group K: KT program only, Group BM: an untailored self-help booklet with 7-month self-monitoring of weight and walking, and Group B: the self-help booklet only. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundreds and five overweight Japanese females were recruited via a local newspaper. MEASUREMENTS: Weight loss (body weight, BMI, reduction quotient, etc.) and behavioral changes (daily eating, exercise and sleeping habits). FINDINGS: A significant weight loss was observed in all groups. At 1 month, Groups KM and K were superior, but at 7 months, the mean weight loss was significantly more in Group KM than the other 3 groups. At 7 months, 8 dietary habits and 4 physical activities were improved in all subjects. Habitual improvement was related to the weight loss in Groups KM and K at 1 month.