Reflection-Impulsivity and Locus of Control in Emotionally Disturbed Children

Impulsive and reflective emotionally disturbed children were compared on their perceived locus of control. Contrary to prediction, there were no differences in locus of control for these two groups.     

Testing latent longitudinal models of social ties and depression among the elderly: a comparison of distribution-free and maximum likelihood estimates with nonnormal data.

Using a latent-variable modeling approach, relationships between social ties and depression were studied in a sample of 201 older adults. Both positive and negative ties were related to concurrent depression, whereas only negative ties predicted future depression. Nonnormally distributed scores were observed for several variables, and results based on maximum likelihood (ML), which assumes multivariate normality, were compared with those obtained using Browne's (1982, 1984) arbitrary distribution function (ADF) estimator for nonnormal variables. Inappropriate use of ML with nonnormal data yielded model chi-square values that were too large and standard errors that were too small. ML also failed to detect the over-time effect of negative ties on depression. The results suggest that the negative functions of social networks may causally influence depression and illustrate the need to test distributional assumptions when estimating latent-variable models.     

A Comparison of the Influence of Conflictual and Supportive Social Interactions on Psychological Distress

Following a quantitative review examining the relative influence of positive and negative social exchanges on emotional health, a second-order factor model of negative social exchange was tested and supported in a sample of 906 college students. Structural equation analysis exploring the unique effects of negative social exchange and perceived support satisfaction on depression revealed both variables to predict this outcome, over and above the contribution of personality and coping variables. In addition to the direct effects of the Big Five personality dimensions on depression, indirect effects of the Big Five via negative social exchange, support satisfaction, and avoidant coping also were observed. Although the prevailing belief among support researchers is that the negative effects of conflictual social interactions outweigh the positive effects of social support, the results of the quantitative review suggest boundary conditions that qualify this conclusion. In addition to corroborating a hierarchical measurement model of negative social exchange, the results of the present investigation suggest that how social support and social negativity are measured substantially influences conclusions concerning their relative impact on psychological distress.     

Proxemics,locus of control,anxiety, and type of movement in emotionally disturbed and normal boys

In order to determine the interpersonal distancing requirements for emotionally disturbed and normal children and in order to investigate the relationship of locus of control and anxiety to interpersonal space, 20 emotionally disturbed and 20 normal boys were randomly required to approach an object person and to let the object person approach them until they felt uncomfortable. Results indicated that emotionally disturbed boys required more space than normals; that subjects would approach closer than they would allow the object person to approach them; and that externals required more space than internals. There were no significant differences between high and low anxious subjects, nor between emotionally disturbed children diagnostically classified as overanxious reaction and those with other diagnosis. Finally, neither anxiety nor locus of control explained the significant normal—emotionally disturbed differences in space requirements. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed as well as the relationship between the present and previous research.     

Reflection-impulsivity and academic attainment in emotionally disturbed children

Sixty-five emotionally disturbed children were administered the Matching Familiar Figures Test (MFF) and standard achievement tests. Significant correlations were obtained between MFF errors and achievement and Mental Age (MA) but not between MFF latencies and achievement and MA. Fifteen impulsive and fifteen reflective children, matched on MA and not differing on Chronological Age (CA), did not differ on their levels of academic achievement. However, the reflective group was found to be two grades above the impulsive group in actual grade placement. Results are discussed in terms of possible behavioral differences and their consequences for the individual.     

WISC short forms with emotionally disturbed children

The complete WISC protocols of 100 emotionally disturbed children were rescored according to 30 selected-subtest and 1 selected-item methodologies and then compared for their correspondence to the standard form. High correlations between all of the short forms and the standard WISC were obtained. However, 16 of the selected-subtest short forms and the selected-item short form resulted in a significantly different mean than the standard. In addition, all short forms resulted in a high percentage of individuals changing IQ classification. Results are interpreted as indicating the inappropriateness of short forms with emotionally disturbed children when individual scores are of prime interest.     

Individually tailored behavioral rating scales: a possible alternative

Individually tailored behavioral ratings were introduced as a possible alternative to time sampling or counting each occurrence of the behavior. Interrater reliability was found to be good for the more specific behavior categories and reliability between ratings obtained from direct observation and those based on unit records was acceptable. The usefulness of individually tailored behavioral rating scales in demonstrating behavior change is demonstrated through the presentation of a representative case.     

Factor specific differences in locus of control for emotionally disturbed and normal children.

The Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children was given to 20 normal and 20 emotionally disturbed children to investigate the differences between the two groups on self-reported locus of control. The locus of control score and scores for each separate factor were calculated. Separate analyses of variance indicated that emotionally disturbed children did not differ from normals on overall locus of control nor on four of the five factors. However, one factor, Helplessness, differentiated the two groups with emotionally disturbed children endorsing more Helplessness items. The results are discussed in terms of factor specific methodology and in regards to the clinical relevance of Helplessness as a key factor.     

The relationship of personality and behavioral development from adolescence to young adulthood and subsequent parenting behavior

The purpose of the study was to examine the association of parental personality, behavior, and substance use during adolescence and adulthood as related to the later parent-offspring relationship. The sample consisted of 297 parents (M age 32 yr.), who were first interviewed at earlier points in their lives in childhood and early adolescence at six points in time, extending from 1983 to 2002. Multiple regression models showed that parents with certain earlier personality and behavioral attributes, e.g., more rebelliousness and more frequent tobacco use, had a more difficult relationship with their children. Findings indicated an association between the cumulative number of psychosocial risk factors in the parents and difficulties in the parent-child relationship. The findings suggested that interventions designed to decrease youths' substance abuse may increase the likelihood that later when they are parents they will form nurturing relationships with their children.