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This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Greek version of Brief Self-control Scale (BSCS). This scale is used for the assessing of self-control, which is the ability to control one's emotions and desires -- especially in demanding situations-in order to have more important long-term benefits. Data were collected from a sample of Greek-speaking university students from two different universities (N = 251, M[subscript age] = 19.86, SD = 2.58, 47% female). A series of CFAs were conducted to compare different potential factor structures that have been proposed in the literature. The results indicate that the revised shortened 7-items BSCS in Greek, as indicated in previous research too, displays a two-factor structure (impulse-control and self-discipline) and these factors show acceptable internal reliability. Also, item factor loadings, thresholds, and intercepts were invariant across females and males (strong measurement invariance). Means of bivariate latent correlations of the BSCS with depression, anxiety, stress, conscientiousness and satisfaction with life were investigated. This study shows that the Greek BSCS is a promising short tool for research on youth's self-control.

Abstract Introduction The current study aimed to assess the reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Zung Depression Rating Scale (ZDRS). Methods The study sample included 40 depressed patients 29.65 ± 9.38 years old and 120 normal comparison subjects 27.23 ± 10.62 years old. In 20 of them (12 patients and 8 comparison subjects) the instrument was re-applied 1–2 days later. Translation and Back Translation was made. Clinical Diagnosis was reached by consensus of two examiners with the use of the SCAN v.2.0 and the IPDE. Statistical Analysis included ANOVA, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Principal Components Analysis and Discriminant Function Analysis and the calculation of Cronbach's alpha (α) Results Both Sensitivity and specificity exceed 90.00 at 44/45, Chronbach's alpha for the total scale was equal to 0.09, suggesting that the scale covers a broad spectrum of symptoms. Factor analysis revealed five factors (anxiety-depression, thought content, gastrenterological symptoms, irritability and social-interpersonal functioning). The test-retest reliability was satisfactory (Pearson's R between 0.92). Conclusion The ZDRS-Greek translation is both reliable and valid and is suitable for clinical and research use with satisfactory properties. Its properties are similar to those reported in the international literature, although the literature is limited. However one should always have in mind the limitations inherent in the use of self-report scales.

Recently, the `cognitive dysmetria' theory for schizophrenia has been formulated. According to this theory, a primary neurocognitive dysfunction is the core of schizophrenia and underlies symptom formation. The suggested perceptual fragmentation of external stimuli and inability to connect such perceptions with internal schemata is suggested to lead to positive symptoms, while defensive self-restriction and the exhaustion of the mental apparatus lead to negative symptomatology. Objections to this theory include observations (i) that patients with dominant positive symptoms, e.g., delusions, hallucinations, manifest better neurocognitive function and (ii) that typically antipsychotics significantly reduce positive symptoms and thus improve both the clinical picture and the functioning (to the extent it is reduced with positive symptoms) of the patients, yet have little or no effect on negative, e.g., loss of volition, emotional blunting, and neurocognitive symptomatology, e.g., attentional and memory deficit. The literature suggests that neurocognitive symptoms group independently of other symptomatology. It is suggested that there is currently more evidence against than in favor of the `cognitive dysmetria' theory.

During the last decades, a considerable number of studies about auditory processing deficits in schizophrenia have been published, some of them using the term of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). Due to heterogeneous methodology and inconsistent results concrete conclusions may not be straightforward. We focused on studies that used at least one behavioral test for the assessment of auditory processing in schizophrenia, in order to identify new evidence on auditory processing deficits in schizophrenia, and to consider fields for future research. 28 studies met inclusion criteria and are presented in this review. The articles were divided into three groups, those that implemented a test battery approach, those that used only Dichotic Listening (DL), those that used DL along with imaging or electrophysiology techniques. Most of the studies that implemented a test battery showed significant performance differences between patients and controls. This indicates APD presence. Due to the limited number of studies implementing a test battery, this is not conclusive. The majority of all studies that used a DL task showed that patients' performance or laterality was significantly lower than that of controls. Age, duration of illness, total and specific positive symptoms seem to affect significantly DL performance and auditory laterality. The results support the existence of various schizophrenia subgroups that differ in their auditory processing performance, and also have structural and functional specificities. Further research in the field is needed, especially studies that implement a test battery, and studies that examine possible correlations between clinical variables and auditory processing deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]