Measuring Clients' Cognitive Competence in Research on Counseling

Counseling is defined as an activity concerned with the development of cognitive competence in clients. As part of the overall movement in research on counseling toward methodological pluralism and triangulation, it is suggested that researchers of counseling effects adopt methods of processing and representing clients' cognitive structures. Such methods can help to capture some of the uniquely rich personal and subjective aspects of the change process in counseling. A variety of methods for accessing and representing cognitive structures are presented, some of which are illustrated in a brief case report. The advantages and limitations of the methods presented are discussed.     

SINGLE-ATTRIBUTE UTILITY ANALYSIS MAY BE FUTILE,BUT THIS CAN’T BE THE END OF THE STORY: CAUSAL CHAIN ANALYSIS AS AN ALTERNATIVE

Research on providing single-attribute utility analysis has shown moderate or even negative effects on the acceptance of selection and training tests by human resource decision makers. In this study, we contrasted the perceived utility of single-attribute utility analysis with causal chain analysis as an alternative way of conducting utility analysis. Causal chain analysis focuses on measuring the linkages between HRM interventions and organizational outcomes mediated by employee attitudes and customer perceptions. We compared 144 managers' reactions to both methods of utility analysis concerning the variables understandability, information quality, perceived usefulness, user information satisfaction, and intention to use. Causal chain analysis yielded higher results than single-attribute analysis for these variables, and a compound measure of these constructs supported this finding. This indicates that causal chain analysis is a valuable alternative method of communicating the utility of HRM interventions.     

Psychological distress and subjective well‐being in partners of somatically ill or physically disabled: The Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study

Borren, I., Tambs, K., Idstad, M., Ask, H. & Sundet, J. M. (2012). Psychological distress and subjective well‐being in partners of somatically ill or physically disabled: The Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 475–482. This study investigated the cross‐sectional associations between various somatic conditions in one partner and the level of distress and well‐being in the spouse. The study is based on survey data from the Norwegian Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study, HUNT II (1995–1997). A sample of 9,797 married or cohabiting couples with valid data on subjective well‐being (SWB), psychological distress (Hopkins Symptom Check List (SCL)‐10) and somatic illness were identified. Regression analyses stratified by sex were conducted with SCL‐10 and SWB scores as dependent variables and a joint somatic score as predictor, including; stroke, cancer, angina, myocardial infarction and physical disability (PD). The contribution of each somatic condition was also explored. Spouses of persons previously diagnosed with at least one somatic condition scored significantly lower on SWB and significantly higher on SCL‐10 than spouses of healthy persons, though effect sizes were small. The effect seems to be at least partly mediated by the ill partner’s psychological distress. Of the specific conditions, PD had the most significant contribution for both genders, though an association between male angina and spousal distress/SWB was also demonstrated.     

The Stress Strategy Test in relation to personality traits and cognitive abilities

Federmann, R., Bäckström, M. & Goldsmith, R. (2010). The Stress Strategy Test in relation to personality traits and cognitive abilities. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 51 , 16–22.
Relations between results of the Stress Strategy Test (SST), a computerized test the first author developed partly involving the Stroop effect, and of an interview and an intelligence test used by the Swedish armed forces as selection instruments for placement of recruits in type of military service were investigated in a group of 3,205 recruits. The SST results were found able to explain 17.64% and 12.25% of the variance in results of the intelligence test and the interview, respectively. Emotional stability and psychological energy were the two interview variables most closely related to results of the SST. The usefulness of the SST in a selection context is discussed.     

A PROPOSAL FOR A COMMON DATA EXCHANGE FORMAT FOR REPERTORY GRID DATA

Repertory grid interviews provide information about the psychological space of people in matrix-structured form, providing a basis for the statistical analysis of results. Today there are many software packages available for the elicitation and analysis of repertory grids, most of them with unique features. But access to this wealth of options is restricted because, at present, repertory grid programs store data in different formats. As a result, anyone who has tried to exchange data between programs knows that this is not an easy task, as the exchange typically requires tedious and error-prone reentering of the data. To enable direct and error-free data exchange between repertory grid programs, we propose a common data format for repertory grid software based on the Extended Markup Language (XML). It is important to note that users do not have to learn XML to take advantage of this common data format. Data sets of current analysis programs can be translated into XML by utilities. As a basis for further discussion we have developed sample applications and utilities that are based on this new data format.     

Body image and personality: Associations between the Big Five Personality Factors,actual‐ideal weight discrepancy,and body appreciation

Studies have suggested associations between personality dimensions and body image constructs, but these have not been conclusively established. In two studies, we examined direct associations between the Big Five dimensions and two body image constructs, actual‐ideal weight discrepancy and body appreciation. In Study 1, 950 women completed measures of both body image constructs and a brief measure of the Big Five dimensions. In Study 2, 339 women completed measures of the body image constructs and a more reliable measure of the Big Five. Both studies showed that Neuroticism was significantly associated with actual‐ideal weight discrepancy (positively) and body appreciation (negatively) once the effects of body mass index and social status had been accounted for. These results are consistent with the suggestion that Neuroticism is a trait of public health significance requiring attention by body image scholars.