More than g: Evidence for the Incremental Validity of Performance-Based Assessments for Predicting Training Performance

Past research has consistently shown that tests measuring specific cognitive abilities provide little if any incremental validity over tests of general mental ability when predicting performance on the job. In this study, we suggest that the seeming lack of incremental validity may have been due to the type of content that has traditionally been assessed. Therefore, we hypothesised that incremental validity can be obtained using specific cognitive abilities that are less highly correlated with g and are matched to the tasks performed on the job. To test this, we examined a recently developed performance-based measure that assesses a number of cognitive abilities related to training performance. In a sample of 310 US Navy student pilots, results indicated that performance-based scores added sizeable incremental validity to a measure of g. The significant increases in R² ranged from .08 to .10 across criteria. Similar results were obtained after correcting correlations for range restriction, though the magnitude of incremental validity was slightly smaller (ΔR² ranged from .05 to .07).     

“I've Been a Long Time Leaving”: The Role of Limited Skill Transferability in Increasing Suicide‐Related Cognitions and Behavior in Veterinarians

Barriers to occupational mobility were investigated to determine whether they increased reported suicide‐related cognitions and behavior over 12 months. This was explored in a two‐wave longitudinal study. Intention to leave, depression, perceived skill transferability, and suicide‐related cognitions and behavior was measured at both time points approximately 12 months apart. Results indicated that when there was a high intention to leave at T1, reported suicide‐related cognitions and behavior increased over 12 months only when skill transferability to other professions was perceived to be limited. Findings support the role of limited occupational mobility in suicide‐related cognitions and behavior.     

Age‐Specific Characteristics of Serious Suicide Attempters in China

Characteristics of four age groups of patients with medically serious suicide attempts from nine general hospitals in China (N = 617) were compared. There were no significant age‐group differences by residence (rural vs. urban), method of attempt, proportion with prior attempts, or level of family functioning. Attempters <20 years of age were less likely to use alcohol at the time of the attempt. Attempters age 20–44 years had less regular contact with family members but were more likely to make the attempt in the presence of someone else. And attempters ≥ 45 years were more likely to have high suicidal intent, lower quality of life, mood disorders, and substance abuse disorders. These results highlight the need for age‐specific intervention programs for suicide attempters.