Type D Personality and Chronic Pain: Construct and Concurrent Validity of the DS14

A body of research has demonstrated that the Type D personality is a risk factor among cardiac patients. Previous studies validating the Type D Scale (DS14) across other clinical groups have not included chronic pain patients in their samples. The purpose of this study was to investigate the construct and concurrent validity of the DS14 using the MMPI-2. The DS14 and its two component subscales demonstrated strong internal consistency among chronic pain patients. The two subscales of the DS14 were found to be related to similar clinical scales on the MMPI-2, and significant differences were found in the MMPI-2 profiles of individuals with and without the Type D personality. Considerations for clinical practice and research are discussed.     

Socially induced renal pathology of captive wild rats (Rattus villosissimus)

Long-haired rats, Rattus villosissimus, were studied in large cages. Groups of adult rats (each of 3 males, or 1 male and 2 females) were observed during intermittent encounters with a male intruder for up to 9 days. Two further groups, each of 8 males and 8 females, were maintained for 70 days without introduction of intruders. Controls were kept in small cages in which intolerant behavior was rare. Behavior during attack resembled that of male R. norvegicus, but social relationships were less stable. Only observations on males are described in detail. Some rats collapsed under attack, though unwounded, and died when not removed. Collapse occurred sometimes after a few hours, but sometimes after many days of exposure. Exposure to attack was accompanied by a decline in body weight and by some adrenal hypertrophy. Two kinds of renal pathology are described: focal glomerular hypercellularity (FGH), probably due to glomerulonephritis, and dilated distal convoluted tubules. Neither condition occurred in the controls. FGH occurred in 3 of 12 rats (25%) that remained apparently healthy during the 9 days of continuous exposure, in 21 of 23 intruders (91%) that were exposed to intermittent attack over 9 days or less without becoming debilitated, and in 8 of 11 such rats (73%) that collapsed. All rats examined from 70-day colonies had FGH, whether collapsed or not. Dilated tubules occurred in 6 of 32 intruders (19%) exposed to intermittent attack, and in 2 of 6 animals that collapsed during 70 days of exposure. Renal pathology, especially glomerulonephritis, was therefore a correlate of social intolerance; but there was no evidence that it was a significant cause of death.     

The effect of transgressor's and victim's sex on children's punish-help judgments

The present investigation, expanding upon a study by Miller and McCann, sought to determine whether children's reactions to the perpetrators and victims of antisocial behavior are influenced by the sex of the individuals involved. Third- and fifth-grade children were asked their opinions of a series of stories in which one child (boy or girl) was described as having intentionally harmed another child (boy or girl). The results indicate that the relative importance that children attribute to punishing transgressors and helping victims is mediated by the sex composition of the transgressor-victim dyad.     

Men's job and partner roles: Spillover effects and psychological distress

What is the relationship between the quality of men's job and partnership roles on the one hand and men's mental health on the other? This question was addressed in a random sample of 300 men, ages 25–40, in dual-earner couples. Predictions were made from both main-effects and two interaction-effects models of this relationship. More specifically, negative-spillover effects, as predicted by the role-stress model, were estimated both from work to home and home to work. Positive-spillover effects, as predicted by the role-enhancement model, were estimated from home to work and from work to home. The general finding was that the effects are additive not interactive, thus supporting the main-effects model. With respect to spillover effects, there was some support for the role-stress model, but no support for the role-enhancement model. More specifically, the relationship between job stress and psychological distress was exacerbated among men who had troubled relationships with their partners.     

Report writing: Legislative,ethical, and professional challenges

Report writing continues to be one of the most serious and underestimated problem areas facing school psychologists. Current guidelines have not been generally responsive to changes in professional practice stemming from recent legal and legislative mandates, changing professional roles, and contemporary theory and practice. This article reviews various approaches to assessment and their potential influence on psychological report writing. A contemporary approach to report writing is then discussed.     

The measurement of cognitive impulsiveness: Psychometric properties of two automated adult versions of the Matching Familiar Figures Test

An automated version of the Matching Familiar Figures Test (MFFT) was administered to undergraduates, along with a parallel from. The latency-errors correlation (–0.61) was higher than that reported for most studies in children and weakly supports the view that the correlation increases with age. Repeated exposure resulted in improved performance, which was faster, more accurate, and more efficient, but there was no effect on impulsiveness. Reliability and internal consistency of both forms were acceptably high and the forms were comparable. Use of the univariate measures (impulsiveness-reflectiveness and efficiency-inefficiency) is superior to other scoring methods.Supported in part by a grant from the Nuffield Foundation, England.     

Family protective factors among urban African American youth.

Examined the relations among family protective factors, stressful events, and behavioral adjustment of 64 African American 6th graders. The youths reported on family stressors, father-figure involvement, and kin support. Their primary caregivers reported on parenting, father-figure involvement, and family stressors. Teachers reported on child social skill deficits, acting out, and shy or anxious behavior. Based on regression analyses, stress exposure associated positively with child social skill deficits, acting out, and shy or anxious behavior. Parental warmth was associated negatively with shy or anxious behavior. Parental use of corporal punishment was associated positively with child acting out. For youth exposed to high numbers of family stressors, parental demandingness was associated negatively with child acting out and kin support was associated negatively with acting out and shy or anxious behavior, suggesting that these family factors partially shield children from the negative effects of stress.     

Familial correlates of sexually active pregnant and nonpregnant adolescents

The relationship of familial, demographic, and individual characteristics to the probability of pregnancy was examined among 124 sexually active adolescent females. Logistic regression analyses revealed that adolescent pregnancy status was a function of a combination of demographic and familial variables. Adolescents who were pregnant at the time of the study perceived their families as having low levels of family strength, perceived communication with parents as closed, came from homes characterized by family fragmentation (i.e., only one parent or no parent living in the home), came from low-income households, were unlikely to use any method of birth control, and were more likely to be married than their nonpregnant counterparts.