The relationship of neuropsychological impairment to conduct disorder in adolescence: A conceptual review

This review is an attempt to expand the understanding of the neuropsychological mechanisms that may influence the expression of violent or aggressive behavior in adolescents. Although a relative large literature of adult studies examining the relation of neuropsychological impairment and aggression exists, the research literature investigating this relationship in adolescents is much smaller. With a few exceptions, the delinquent literature suffers from methodological problems, including biased sampling methods, small numbers of subjects, failing to objectively diagnose conduct disorder, incorrect use of specific statistical procedures, and lacking of appropriate control groups. In general, a mixed pattern of neuropsychological deficits are displayed across studies, depending on the sampling method, methodological design, statistics employed, control groups, and assessment tools that were utilized. Verbal deficits have been frequently displayed across the literature, while evidence for executive dysfunction varies, depending on the specific construct being evaluated (e.g., attention, cognitive flexibility, concept formation, planning abilities) and the specific population. Relatively inconsistent findings have been observed for visuospatial, sensory, and motor deficits. This article provides a critical review of this literature and discusses the varying impact that any neurological insult will have, depending on premorbid personality and cognitive functioning, location of the lesion, age at which the injury occurred, child's pre- and postinjury environment, and ability of the brain to adapt to acquired deficits as the result of the insult. On the basis of this review and neuropsychological theory, four subgroups within this population are proposed (i.e., adolescents with subcortical injuries, dominant hemisphere temporal-parietal injuries, nondominant hemisphere temporal-parietal injuries, and injuries to the prefrontal regions), which may better explain the neuropsychological and behavioral outcomes exhibited by this heterogeneous population. Recommendations for future research are offered.     

The federal response to child abuse and neglect

Addressing the problem of child maltreatment is a high priority for the Clinton administration. Guided by the principles of safety, permanency, and the child's well-being, the Administration on Children and Families (ACF) has made great strides in improving the lives of maltreated children. Critical programs administered by ACF include the Adoption and Safe Families Act, Community-Based Family Resource and Support Program grants, Children's Justice Act programs, and Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act research and demonstration projects. Projects serve both to expand existing programs and to develop innovative approaches. ACF has also sponsored several multidisciplinary national conferences designed to generate a sense of shared responsibility and a renewed commitment to solving problems of child abuse and neglect.     

Statistical Tests for Comparing Possibly Misspecified and Nonnested Models

Model selection criteria (MSC) involves selecting the model with the best estimated goodness-of-fit to the data generating process. Following the method of Vuong (1989), a large sample Model Selection Test (MST), is introduced that can be used in conjunction with most existing MSC procedures to decide if the estimated goodness-of-fit for one model is significantly different from the estimated goodness-of-fit for another model. The MST extends the classical generalized likelihood ratio test, is valid in the presence of model misspecification, and is applicable to situations involving nonnested probability models. Simulation studies designed to illustrate the concept of the MST and its conservative decision rule (relative to the MSC method) are also presented. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Interpretation and use of the Luria-Nebraska battery

In a recent article, T. V. Akhutina and L. S. Tsvetkova (1983, Brain and Cognition 2, 129-134) presented an analysis of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery. Along with their generally positive review, they raised questions regarding the importance of the qualitative aspects of patients' performance in the interpretation of the battery. We agree with the authors that any interpretation of the battery which does not consider qualitative performance can limit the power and applicability of the battery. The procedures of item analysis and qualitative analysis are discussed as essential to a comprehensive interpretation of the battery. Also discussed are comments on additional scaling for the battery and the development of a standardized qualitative scoring system.     

A taxometric analysis of cognitive and neuromotor variables in children at risk for schizophrenia

A taxometric model was applied to detect a subgroup or taxon of children conjectured to be at highest risk for developing schizophrenia or related disorders in a sample of offspring of schizophrenic, depressed, and normal parents. Measures of cognitive and neuromotor performance in childhood were used as indicator tests in the analyses. A taxon consisting chiefly of children of schizophrenic parents was detected. Forty-seven percent of those children were assigned to the taxon, compared with 16% of the children of depressed parents and 4% of the children of normal parents. Assignment to the taxon is assessed in relation to the current functional status of the subjects in young adulthood.     

Lao Depression Inventory

There are no measurement tools that accurately measure depression among Lao refugees. The overall purpose of this research was to complete the development and validation procedures for the Lao Depression Inventory (LDI). The study consisted of 216 Ethnic Lao refugees. A clinical interview and 164 true/false questions were administered to identify specific items which could identify depression among the Ethnic Lao people. All items were administered in both English and Lao. Overall, 78 of the 164 items differentiated groups of depressed and nondepressed Lao at the .01 level. Results of validation procedures showed that a 30-item scale had an accuracy rate of 89% in identifying the presence of depression in the validation group; the hit-rate for the same items and cutoff was 92% in the cross-validation group. Potential uses of the scale are discussed.     

Prediction of Job Retention Using a Brief Projective Test Battery: a Preliminary Report

The use of objectively validated projective tests in personnel decisions has been limited in recent years because of the perception that such tests are highly subjective, difficult to administer, and difficult to score in a reliable manner. The present paper demonstrates the use of a brief (½ hour) projective test battery consisting of the Bender–Gestalt, House–Tree–Person, and a free drawing test which can be administered in a personnel office and scored blindly using an objective scoring system. The study showed that such a battery could predict six month retention rates in a sample of recently hired corrections officers at statistically significant rates (2 = 6.25, p < 0.05) despite the fact that the individuals had already been thoroughly prescreened using the company's comprehensive normal procedures. The possible uses and advantages of a language-free projective battery are discussed along with future research directions.     

The measurement of creativity by the Stroop Color and Word Test.

The development of a valid and reliable measure of creativity has been a challenging problem to psychologists. Gamble and Kellner (1968) have suggested that the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) might be such a measure. The advantages of the Stroop include that it tests basic processes, is stable over long periods of time, and is easy to administer and score. The present study investigated the relationship of the Stroop to three independent measures of creativity: a verbal task, a nonverbal task, and ratings by teachers. In all cases a significant relationship was found between these measures and the Stroop interference score. A concept of creativity as a basic underlying process is discussed by the author as well as implications for further research.     

Prediction of neurosurgical results by psychological evaluation.

There has been an increasing interest in the role of personality factors in the outcome of medical treatment. The present study examined the role of personality measures in predicting the outcome of neurosurgery for patients with a well-documented disruption of one or more discs. Each of 15 male and 16 female patients whose average age was 40.8 yr. received the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory before surgery and received a follow-up at least one year after surgery or until a final, stable level of recovery was attained. A multiple correlation of .64 between the personality measures and treatment outcome suggested that even in cases with a well-documented need for surgery, psychological factors can play a major influence in the eventual outcome. Possible psychological interventions before surgery which might increase the likelihood of a good outcome are briefly outlined.