Are Self‐Report Measures of Adaptive Functioning Appropriate for those High in Psychopathic Traits?

There is ongoing debate about the methods that evaluators should use to assess the adaptive functioning of an individual in an Atkins claim, including the appropriateness of using self‐report measures and extent to which adaptive functioning measures are valid for persons with a history of violent offending. This study examined whether offenders' self‐report adaptive functioning scores tended to decrease as their level of psychopathic traits increased. Eighty‐five male felony probationers completed the self‐report version of the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System – II (ABAS‐II: Harrison & Oakland, 2003), the Psychopathic Personality Inventory – Revised (PPI‐R: Lilienfeld & Widows, 2005), and a brief intelligence screening measure. ABAS‐II composite scores were negatively correlated with PPI‐R Self‐Centered Impulsivity and Coldheartedness scores, but positively correlated with Fearless Dominance scores. These relationships appeared to be due, in part, to over‐reporting symptoms of impairment across measures, suggesting that scores on self‐report adaptive functioning measures may be especially susceptible to feigning. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Does War Hurt? Effects of Media Exposure After Missile Attacks on Chronic Pain

This study focused on the effects of exposure to terrorist missile attacks on the physical and mental well being of chronic pain patients. In this prospective and longitudinal design, 55 chronic pain patients treated at a specialty pain clinic completed self-report questionnaires regarding their pain, depression and anxiety pre- and post a three week missile attack on the southern region of Israel. In addition, levels of direct and indirect exposure to the attacks were measured. Results of regression analyses showed that exposure to the attacks through the media predicted an increase in pain intensity and in the sensory component of pain during the pre-post war period, but did not predict depression, anxiety or the affective component of pain. These findings contribute to the understanding of the effects of terrorism on physical and emotional distress and identify chronic pain patients as a vulnerable population requiring special attention during terrorism-related stress.