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The aim of this study was to evaluate psychometric properties of a questionnaire measuring to what extent the climate of health care settings are perceived as being person-centered. The English Person-Centered Climate Questionnaire-patient version (PCQ-P) was distributed to a sample of hospital patients (n = 108) and data were subjected to psychometric evaluation using statistical estimates of validity and reliability. Content and construct validity of the PCQ-P was satisfactory in literature reviews and factor and item analysis. Cronbach's alpha was satisfactory for the total scale (0.90) and also for subscales: safety = 0.96 and hospitality = 0.89. The intraclass correlation coefficient indicating test-retest reliability was 0.70 with a 95% confidence interval ranging between 0.63 and 0.77. Even though the sample should be considered, the results indicate that the PCQ is a valid and reliable contribution for assessing to what extent the climate of health care settings are perceived to be person-centered by patients. Keywords: instrument development; psychometrics; questionnaires; person-centered care; hospitals

Currently the second largest U.S. ethnic group, U.S. Latinas/os are projected to continue increasing as a proportion of the U.S. population over the next century. The culturally competent psychological evaluation of U.S. Latinas/os requires both the use of instruments that are adequately validated in that population and the adequate consideration of culturally linked factors known to influence the assessment process and its findings. This article makes foundational recommendations in this second area, organizing them along 4 stages of professional practice in psychological assessment. Consultation with qualified professionals is discussed as being important in ensuring the accurate and ethical psychological assessment of U.S. Latinas/os at all stages of professional practice. Keywords: psychological assessment, cultural sensitivity, multiculturalism, Hispanic, Latinos

The role of psychologists, who can assist in preparing clients for transplant surgery and support them postsurgery to sustain the complex maintenance protocol, is outlined. An overview of specific procedures used in the psychological evaluation and treatment of solid organ transplant patients, a discussion of general issues involved in treating these patients, and case vignettes are provided. As transplants become more common, the need for additional psychologists as part of multidisciplinary treatment teams increases. Because many patients live great distances from the transplant center, community psychologists may be enlisted to treat organ transplant patients and to collaborate with psychologists on transplant teams. Keywords: chronic illness, health psychology, organ transplant, psychological evaluation, transplantation

In this article, the author addresses the ethical questions and decision evaluators associated with the writing of psychological assessment reports. Issues related to confidentiality, clinical judgment, harm, labeling, release of test data, and computer usage are addressed. Specific suggestions on how to deal with ethical concerns when writing reports are discussed, as well as areas in need of further research. Keywords: ethics: report writing: assessment

A summary of the most frequent controversies in report writing is covered. These include length, readability, acknowledging use of poorly validated measures, use of computer-based narratives, inclusion of test scores, degree of integration, inclusion of client strengths, and development of a feedback report. Available research is summarized along with suggestions for future research. Keywords: psychological report: controversies

Borrowing from B. A. Wright's (1991) suggestions, a balanced approach is advocated for gathering information and writing the subsequent report. Specifically, it is suggested that the clinician attend to four aspects of an interviewee: (a) the strengths in the client's psychological makeup, (b) the weaknesses in the client's psychological makeup, (c) the strengths in the client's environment, and (d) the weaknesses in the client's environment. Additionally, using hope theory (C. R. Snyder, 1994) as a framework, the importance of including information about client goals, along with the routes to those goals (pathways thinking) and the motivation to use those pathways (agency thinking), is described. Furthermore, the implications of using this framework in conducting a diagnostic interview and writing the ensuing report are provided. Finally, the advantages of including human strengths to achieve a balanced interview and report are discussed. Keywords: psychological assessments; client reports; report writing; balanced assessment approach; hope theory; positive psychology

The process of assessment report writing is a complex one, involving both the statistical evaluation of data and clinical methods of data interpretation to appropriately answer referral questions. Today, a computer often analyzes data generated in a psychological assessment, at least in part. In this article, the author focuses on the interaction between the decisionmaking processes of human clinicians and the test interpretations that are computer-based. The benefits and problems with computers in assessment are highlighted and are presented alongside the research on the validity of automated assessment, as well as research comparing clinicians and computers in the decision-making process. The author concludes that clinical judgment and computer-based test interpretation each have weaknesses. However, by using certain strategies to reduce clinicians' susceptibility to errors in decision making and to ensure that only valid computer based test interpretations are used, clinicians can optimize the accuracy of conclusions that they draw in their assessment report Keywords: psychological assessment report; computer utilization; clinical judgment; report writing

In the present study the dimensions and factorial structure of the Psychological Empowerment Scale for a sample of 173 restaurant service employees from 20 restaurants in the USA were analyzed, using principal axis factor analysis. The analysis indicated a two-factor solution for the scale with Cronbach [alpha] of .91 and .89. These factors were labeled Attitude and Influence and accounted for approximately 63% of the common variance. This differed from the original four-factor structure of Spreitzer and in two studies by Fulford and Enz in 1995 and by Hancer and George in 2003, a three-factor structure. Implications for research and recommendations are presented.

The Pervasive Developmental Disorders Rating Scale was designed for use in screening of pervasive developmental disorders. This paper describes the rationale and development of the scale and assesses its construct validity with ratings from a sample of 362 children ranging in age from 1 to 12 years and diagnosed with autistic disorder. The hypothesized heirarchical factor model and two competing models were examined through confirmatory factor analysis. The analysis supported the factor structure of the hypothesized model in this particular sample of children with autistic disorder. Limitations and areas for research are discussed.

An economist is assumed selfish, rational and it is alleged that his taste does not change. A psychological perspective using a behavioral approach to economics is developed with regard to the three assumptions.

The purpose of this study was to construct a brief version of the 40-item Affect Intensity Measure. Since the assumed one-dimensionality of the scale has been criticized lately, special attention was paid to the factor structure of the full and the brief scales. The scales were tested in three different samples: 510 Belgian citizens representative of the Belgian population, and 204 and 166 students of the University of Antwerp. The Short Affect Intensity Scale has 20 items. Mean scores on the original Affect Intensity Measure were 3.68, 3.67, and 3.67 for the three samples, respectively, while for the Short Affect Intensity Scale the following respective mean scores were registered: 3.76, 3.78, and 3.75. Correlations between the original and brief scales were .94, .93, and .93 for the three samples, respectively. Three factors underlie the Short Affect Intensity Scale: Positive Intensity, Negative Affectivity, and Serenity. Furthermore, the scores for the Short Affect Intensity Scale suggest it is reliable and valid.

This article addresses the influence of verbal and nonverbal communication of physical therapists with the elederly patients on the therapeutic efficacy for patients' physical, cognitive, and psychological functioning. Results indicate that therapists' distancing produce negative effects on patients' functioning.

Counselors of all types need an understanding of and an ability to work with issues described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994). The traditional approach to the DSM-IV tends to locate the problem in the client, whereas a developmental approach focuses on the client in social and historical context. Specific recommendations for organizing a comprehensive treatment plan are represented. The authors endorse an educational and developmental role for counselors.

A reaction to Ivy and Ivy (1998) is offered by a counselor educator and practitioner. Mental disorders, diagnosis, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV: American Psychiatric Association, 1994), and the medical model versus the developmental model are discussed in relation to counselor education and training, diagnostic bias, and the future identity of professional counselors.

This study investigated the factor structure of the expanded Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) on a sample of severe mentally ill homeless individuals. A confirmatory factor analysis using the Oblique Multiple Group method supported the typical five factor solution found in previous studies with the original BPRS. The five factors were labeled Thinking Disorder, Withdrawal, Anxiety-Depression, Hostility-Suspicion, and Activity. Alpha coefficients for four of the scales ranged from .73 to .81; however, the alpha coefficient for the Hostility-Suspicion scale was only .49.

Proper assessment of clinical progress is very essential in the treatment of emotionally disturbed children. Clinical social workers should give importance to explanatory theory, theoretically-framed stage models of long term intervention and multimodal research processes. These help in assessing change targets, therapeutic change process, recording change and analyzing therapeutic results from time to time.

KEY WORDS: diagnosis, classification, DSM-IV, psychopathology CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PURPOSES OF A DIAGNOSTIC TAXONOMY Clinical Utility Research Facilitation Scientific Understanding DEVELOPMENT OF DSM-IV Descriptive Approach and the Structure of DSM-IV Process [...]

Psychological screening has become commonplace in a number of occupational groups. With the growing popularity of screening and the relative scarcity of appropriate personality measures, re-screening individuals with the same inventory is frequent. This paper examines the effect of re-screening with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) on contract workers (n=1,997) from the nuclear power industry. Participants completed the Inventory as a part of a routine screening procedure. Each participant provided several profiles as a result of regular employment cycles. Although the differences are generally small, some scale show large enough mean changes to warrant concern when interpreting the profiles of those who have taken the profile multiple times. Although scale reliabilities tend to increase, the usefulness of the Inventory appears to decrease with an increasing number of administrations. The effect is one of increasing normality of test profiles. One interpretation of the results is that candidates for jobs become 'test-wise,' and the scores are the result of a combination of responses to the repeated assessment. It becomes increasingly difficult to identify unit employees with the Inventory. Given these results, further research on retesting effects of the Inventory, as well as other personality measures, is indicated. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

The present study examines the underlying factor structure of a widely used family assessment tool, the Family Environment Scale. In a factor analysis of data from college students and employees of a New England university (n = 828), the presence of 10 unique clusters representing the 10 subscales of the FES was not confirmed. This is the second factor analysis that failed to support empirically the existence of the 10 subscales. Concerns regarding the continued use of the FES to tap independent dimensions of the family environment by family researchers and clinicians are discussed.

The effect of consistency in theoretical orientation, whether individual or family, from assessment to therapy on the effectiveness of psychotherapy was examined in archival data. All identified patients (N = 131) were ages 5-18 and comprised four groups according to the orientation of their assessment and therapy: the individual-individual (n = 49) and family-family (n = 49) groups and the individual-family (n = 21) and family-individual (n = 12) groups. Theoretical consistency was positively associated with therapy duration and participation, as well as with outcome. This association was attributable to the significant relation between family assessment prior to family therapy and the dependent variables of continuation in therapy, percent of sessions attended, nature of termination, and percent of missed sessions. Results support the theoretical position of family therapists that family assessment is the assessment method of choice.

This study examined the impact of therapy on psychiatric symptoms and consumer satisfaction in a rural community mental health center. Utilizing the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and an evaluation of service questionnaire (EOS), designed by the authors, results indicated positive outcomes for both measures (88 subjects). Small but significant correlations were obtained for the BSI and EOS (r's .29 to .59). Implications for future research and treatment are discussed focusing on time of intervention and symptom quality.

Thirty-six patient records were examined during site visits to 18 child and adolescent (PH) programs. The documentation of patient assessment and treatment planning was examined. The history of present illness, past psychiatric history, and medical history were at least adequate in about 60-70% of evaluations. Treatment plans were generally complete, but at least one-half of mandated treatment plan reviews lacked revisions. Psychiatric justification of admission and diagnosis was poor in 41% and 44% of charts, respectively, and there was no documentation of ongoing psychiatrist-patient contact in 44% of charts. Possible explanations for these findings include inadequate funding of PH programs, lack of psychiatric time, and uniform approaches to treatment.

The residual fluctuations that naturally arise in experimental inquiry are analyzed in terms of their time histories. Although these fluctuations are generally relegated to a statistical purgatory known as unexplained variance, this article shows that they may harbor a long-term memory process known as 1/f noise. This type of noise has been encountered in a number of biological and physical systems and is theorized to be a signature of dynamic complexity. Its presence in psychological data appears to be associated with the most elementary aspect of cognitive process, the formation of representations.

Davison (1983) asked in his article in which the third-person effect is first described, 'Why are exaggerated expectations about the effects of communications on others so common?' (p. 14). In [...]

DSM-IV's strong empirical base has yielded an instrument with good to excellent reliability and improved validity. Diagnostic reliability depends on both the clarity and validity of diagnostic criteria and the [...]