Self-defeating personality disorder reconsidered

The objective of this study was to assess the distinctiveness, incremental validity, and gender bias of self-defeating personality disorder (SDPD) symptoms. A total of 441 nonclinical subjects completed personality disorder questionnaires. Structural equation modeling and regression analyses indicated that SDPD symptoms were distinctive, predicted impairment/distress beyond other personality disorder symptoms, and showed no gender bias. SDPD warrants reconsideration as a valid nosological category.     

Parent and self-report ratings of executive function in adolescents with myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus.

Parent and self-report ratings were obtained for 28 adolescents with myelomeningocele and congenital hydrocephalus using the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 1998a, 1998b) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF; Gioia, Isquith, Guy, & Kenworthy, 2000; Guy, Gioia, & Isquith, 1998). Parents rated their children as having significantly more problems, compared to published norms, on the BRIEF but not the BASC. Adolescents rated themselves as having significantly more problems, compared to parent ratings, on scales comprising the BRIEF Behavioral Regulation Index; but not on common scales of the BASC. Parents also reported more problems on the BRIEF Global Executive Composite than on all three primary BASC indices, and more problems on the BRIEF Metacognition Index than on the BRIEF Behavioral Regulation Index. We conclude that the BRIEF captures salient executive dysfunction among individuals with myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus, and may be useful in identifying needs for intervention that might not be identified by broad-band behavior rating scales alone.     

The one-interview client

A census of National Marriage Guidance Council cases showed that a third of them lasted for one interview only. This finding was met with some surprise by the counsellors. An investigation into one-interview cases was therefore undertaken, with the result that several distinct categories were identified. In some cases one interview seems to be all that is needed by the client.     

Note on locus of control and academic achievement in institutionalized juvenile delinquents

The previously reported relationship between internal locus of control and academic achievement was explored with the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children (Nowicki & Strickland, 1973) and seven measures of academic achievement in a random sample of 45 male residents of seven state learning centers for juvenile delinquents. Correlations between overall locus of control scores and all seven measures were significant, but with intelligence controlled in a partial correlation, locus of control scores were found to add little to the prediction of academic achievement from IQ scores alone. Discussion addressed possible explanations for the current findings in terms of the meaning of the scale for a nonnormal group and the effects of situations on responses of subjects.Appreciation is expressed to Mobile Psychiatric Clinic staff psychologists, to the U.S. General Accounting Office, and to Kingsbury Center, consultants, Washington, D.C., for their assistance in data collection.     

Clinical Correlates of Dispositional Forgiveness

The present study examined relationships between the variables of depression, shame, guilt, psychological maltreatment, and dispositional forgiveness. The methodology included the completion of questionnaires by 280 university and community college participants. Results indicated that all factors of dispositional forgiveness were negatively related to depression, to shame, and to all factors of psychological maltreatment. Partial correlations further revealed positive associations between guilt and dispositional forgiveness. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated the unique contribution of psychological maltreatment to dispositional forgiveness beyond that of depression, shame, and guilt. Implications of results for clinical practice and future research are discussed.     

Parent and Self-Report Ratings of Executive Function in Adolescents with Myelomeningocele and Hydrocephalus

Parent and self-report ratings were obtained for 28 adolescents with myelomeningocele and congenital hydrocephalus using the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 1998a, 1998b) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF; Gioia, Isquith, Guy, & Kenworthy, 2000; Guy, Gioia, & Isquith, 1998). Parents rated their children as having significantly more problems, compared to published norms, on the BRIEF but not the BASC. Adolescents rated themselves as having significantly more problems, compared to parent ratings, on scales comprising the BRIEF Behavioral Regulation Index; but not on common scales of the BASC. Parents also reported more problems on the BRIEF Global Executive Composite than on all three primary BASC indices, and more problems on the BRIEF Metacognition Index than on the BRIEF Behavioral Regulation Index. We conclude that the BRIEF captures salient executive dysfunction among individuals with myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus, and may be useful in identifying needs for intervention that might not be identified by broad-band behavior rating scales alone.