The psychometric properties of the center for epidemiological studies-depression scale (ces-d) when used with adults with physical disabilities

Abstract

Psychometric properties of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were examined in a sample of 790 adults with physical disabilities and compared to the responses obtained from non-disabled samples (Craig and Van Natta, 1976; Radloff, 1977). Findings suggested the CES-D is a valid measure of depressive symptoms among adults with physical disabilities. Scores on the CES-D scale were not elevated by somatic issues related to physical disability as evidenced by the lack of statistically significant differences in the persistence percentages reported by adults with physical disabilities and non-disabled adults for four of the seven items composing the somatic dimension of the CES-D. Moreover, the factor structure obtained via principal components analysis was highly similar to that obtained with non-disabled adults. Likewise, the Cronbach alpha value for the total score was within acceptable ranges and scores on the CES-D scale were moderately correlated with scores on a number of related but putatively distinct constructs.     

Couples’ Negative Interaction Behaviors and Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe mental health problem predisposing to dysfunctional interaction behaviors and negative couple outcomes. This study aimed to assess, through direct observation, the quality of relationships of couples in which women were diagnosed with BPD. The sample consisted of 28 couples in which the woman had BPD, and 82 community couples. Couples’ interactions were coded using three scales—withdrawal/ avoidance, dominance, and criticism/attack/conflict—from the Global Couple Interaction Coding System. Couples in which the women had BPD evidenced significantly more negative behaviors, particularly dominance behaviors, than community couples. Moreover, in BPD couples, women adopted Criticism/Attack/Conflict behaviors more frequently than men.     

Unemployment and mental health in a favorable labor market

Labour market variables may moderate the link between unemployment and mental health, as has been found in numerous research papers. The aim of this study was to test, in the context of a very favorable labor market, (1) the detrimental effect of unemployment on mental health and (2) the predictive validity of mental health on further employment status. The population of the study comprised 384 newly registered unemployed persons. Mental health was assessed through four variables: self-esteem, psychological distress, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. The results did not confirm previous studies. Using analyses of variance for repeated measures and linear regression, a negative change of mental health was not found after 6 and 12 months' unemployment, and the four measurements of mental health at registration did not predict employment status 6 and 12 months later. Results are discussed in terms of moderating variables that capture Luxembourg labor market specificities. This research was supported by the Luxembourg National Research Fund in the framework of the VIVRE Program; grant no. FNR/02/05/07. We would like to thank Mary Devine for the linguistic revision of the text.     

Exploring the Capacity of NEO PI‐R Facets to Predict Job Performance in Two French‐Canadian Samples

The capacity of personality facets to predict contextual performance (i.e., interpersonal facilitation and job dedication), task performance, and global performance was explored by means of two predictive validity field studies. In a preliminary way, Study 1 demonstrated that four personality facets – Self‐Consciousness, Excitement Seeking, Trust, and Competence – were related to at least one job performance dimension in a well‐structured occupation sample. Study 2 revealed that eight personality facets were linked to specific job performance dimensions in a professional occupation sample. Results indicate that a combination of facets is useful for predicting job performance.     

Reviews: Books, Art

FINDING SPACE: WINNICOTT, GOD, AND PSYCHIC REALITY. By Ann Belford Ulanov. 232 pp. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press. $24.95. ON RELIGION. By John D. Caputo. New York: Routledge Press, 2001. $12.95. ORDINARY MIND: EXPLORING THE COMMON GROUND OF ZEN AND PSYCHOTHERAPY. By Barry Magid. 190 pp. Boston: Wisdom Pub, 2001. $22.95. SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND PSYCHOANALYSIS: SEXUAL SCIENCE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE. By Richard C. Friedman and Jennifer I. Downey. 352 pp. New York: Columbia University Press, 2002. $35.00. EROTIC INNOCENCE: THE CULTURE OF CHILD MOLESTING. By James R. Kincaid. 352 pp. Durham: Duke University Press, 1998. $24.95. PRACTICING PRESENCE: THE SPIRITUALITY OF CARING IN EVERYDAY LIFE. By Kerry Walters. 122 pp. Franklin, WI: Sheed & Ward, Inc., 2001. $14.95. TERRIFYING TRANSFERENCES: AFTERSHOCKS OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA. By Lawrence E. Hedges. 497 pp. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, Inc., 2000. $65.00. THE ORIFICE AS SACRIFICIAL SITE: CULTURE, ORGANIZATION, AND THE BODY. By James Aho. 153 pp. New York: Aldine de Gruyter, 2002. $45.95. The Paintings of Joan Mitchell     

Reviews: Books, Art

LOCATING THE ROMANTIC SUBJECT: NOVALIS WITH WINNICOTT. By Gail M. Newman. 258 pp. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. 1997. $39.95. MENTORING: THE MINISTRY OF SPIRITUAL KINSHIP. By Edward C. Sellner. 198 pp. Cambridge, MA: Cowley Publications, 2002. $12.95. CREATING SCHOOLS THAT HEAL: REAL LIFE SOLUTIONS. By Lesley Koplow. 232 pp. New York: Teachers College Press, 2002. $19.95. MORAL MEMORANDA FROM JOHN HOWARD YODER: CONVERSATIONS ON LAW, ETHICS, AND THE CHURCH BETWEEN A MENNONITE THEOLOGIAN AND A HOOSIER LAWYER. By Thomas L. Shaffer. 121 pp. Eugene, OR: WIPF and Stock Publishers, 2002. $16.00. TALK IS NOT ENOUGH: HOW PSYCHOTHERAPY REALLY WORKS. By Willard Gaylin, M.D. 323 pp. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2000. $24.95. MICHAL ROVNER: THE SPACE BETWEEN     

Reviews: Books, Art

THREE MOTHERS THREE DAUGHTERS: PALESTINIAN WOMEN'S STORIES. By Michael Gorkin and Rafiqa Othman. New York: Other Press, 2000, $20 (softcover printing of 1996 University of California Press book). BREATHING SPACE: A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY IN THE SOUTH BRONX. By Heidi B. Neumark. 286 pp. Boston: Beacon Press, 2003. $25. KNOCKING ON HEAVEN'S DOOR: AMERICAN RELIGION IN THE AGE OF COUNTERCULTURE. By Mark Oppenheimer. 285 pp. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2003. $30. PROFILES OF PLAY: ASSESSING AND OBSRVING STRUCTURE AND PROCESS IN PLAY THERAPY. By Saralea Chazan. 224 pp. London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2002. $24.95. THE HAPPINESS PARADOX. By Ziyad Marar. 209 pp. London: Reakition Books, 2003. $19.95. GOD AT THE EDGE: SEARCHING FOR THE DIVINE IN UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNEXPECTED PLACES. By Niles Elliot Goldstein. 197 pp. New York: Random House, 2003. $22. THE RURAL LIFE. By Verlyn Klinkenborg. 213 pp. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2003. $20. OAXACA JOURNAL. By Oliver Sacks. 159 pp. Washington, DC: National Geographic Directions, 2002. $20. THE MAYS OF VENTADORA. By W.S. Merwin. 159 pp. Washington, DC: National Geographic Directions, 2002, $20.