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Studies of graduate students learning to administer the Wechsler scales have generally shown that training is not associated with the development of scoring proficiency. Many studies report on the reduction of aggregated administration and scoring errors, a strategy that does not highlight the reduction of errors on subtests identified as most prone to error. This study evaluated the development of scoring proficiency specifically on the Wechsler (WISC-IV and WAIS-III) Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Similarities subtests during training by comparing a set of 'early test administrations' to 'later test administrations.' Twelve graduate students enrolled in an intelligence-testing course participated in the study. Scoring errors (e.g., incorrect point assignment) were evaluated on the students' actual practice administration test protocols. Errors on all three subtests declined significantly when scoring errors on 'early' sets of Wechsler scales were compared to those made on 'later' sets. However, correcting these subtest scoring errors did not cause significant changes in subtest scaled scores. Implications for clinical instruction and future research are discussed.

Studies have found that Wechsler scale administration and scoring proficiency is not easily attained during graduate training. These findings may be related to methodological issues. Using a single-group repeated measures design, this study documents statistically significant, though modest, error reduction on the WAIS-III and WISC-III during a graduate course in assessment. The study design does not permit the isolation of training factors related to error reduction, or assessment of whether error reduction is a function of mere practice. However, the results do indicate that previous study findings of no or inconsistent improvement in scoring proficiency may have been the result of methodological factors. Implications for teaching individual intelligence testing and further research are discussed. DOI 10.2466/PR0.100.2.547-555

With high screen time and poor sleep commonly reported in adolescents, it is important to more fully understand how screen time impacts sleep. Despite similar overall screen times, male and female media preferences and usages differ, making it critical to determine if different domains of screen time differentially affect sleep quality. The present study examined whether differing amounts and domains of screen‐based media vary in impact on sleep quality of 16‐year‐old male and female adolescents over a 3‐month period. A total of 98 adolescents (mean [SD] age 16.27 [0.29] years; 51% female) completed two online surveys spaced 3 months apart and comprised of well‐validated self‐reported measures of sleep quality, media usage, and depressive symptoms. The various domains of media were categorised into screen‐based media with little‐to‐no peer‐to‐peer interaction involved (video‐only) and screen‐based media with interaction a predominant component to the usage (peer‐to‐peer interaction‐involved). Self‐reported sleep quality decreased across the 3‐month study period. Gender moderated the effect of interactive screen time on sleep quality 3 months later, with interactive screen time associated with better sleep quality in males, but remaining poorer in females. Screen time competes with sleep time and may do so differentially depending on the media domain. Compared to females, interactive components of screen time may lessen worsening sleep quality over time in males. Understanding the relationships among screen time, its content, age, and gender may inform guidelines for educators, parents, and adolescents to help improve sleep quality of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary objective: To examine the predictive associations of family satisfaction, functional impairment, pain, and depression on health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) among persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) through structural equation modelling (SEM). Research design: Participants were part of a larger longitudinal study of adjustment following TBI. Direct and indirect effects of predictor variables on HRQoL were analyzed through SEM. Methods and procedures: The sample included 131 participants with TBI (89 men, 42 women) who had been discharged from an acute care hospital. The Sickness Impact Profile was administered to measure HRQoL at or beyond 24 months post-discharge. Predictor variable measures included the Functional Independence Measure, Family Satisfaction Scale and single items assessing the presence of pain and depression. Main outcomes and results: SEM revealed direct effects of functional impairment ( p < 0.001), family satisfaction ( p < 0.01), depression ( p < 0.05) and pain ( p < 0.01) on HRQoL. Indirect effects from functional impairment ( p < 0.05) and pain ( p < 0.05) to HRQoL through depression were also present. Conclusions: The presence of pain and depression, greater functional impairment and lower family satisfaction were predictively associated with lower HRQoL. Depression further mediated the effects of pain and functional impairment on HRQoL. The present study advances understanding of the ways in which pain, depression and functional impairment predict HRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The use and quality of longitudinal research designs has increased over the past 2 decades, and new approaches for analyzing longitudinal data, including multilevel modeling (MLM) and latent growth modeling (LGM), have been developed. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the use of MLM and its advantages in analyzing longitudinal data. Research Method: Data from a sample of individuals with intra-articular fractures of the lower extremity from the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Injury Control Research Center are analyzed using both SAS PROC MIXED and SPSS MIXED. Results: The authors begin their presentation with a discussion of data preparation for MLM analyses. The authors then provide example analyses of different growth models, including a simple linear growth model and a model with a time-invariant covariate, with interpretation for all the parameters in the models. Implications: More complicated growth models with different between- and within-individual covariance structures and nonlinear models are discussed. Finally, information related to MLM analysis, such as online resources, is provided at the end of the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary objective : Determine (1) the sensitivity of world-wide-web searches for deaths among persons with traumatic brain injuries and (2) factors associated with the likelihood of identifying deceased persons with traumatic brain injuries. Research design : Stratified case series. Methods and procedures : Sequential submission of 371 deceased persons with traumatic brain injuries to a world-wide-web site to determine inclusion in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Main outcomes and results : Almost 87% of deceased persons ages 50+ were found, 69.8% of persons ages 30-49 and 34.6% of persons younger than age 30. Other factors influencing the likelihood of finding deceased persons in the SSDI were male gender, white race, being married, knowing the Social Security number and survival of 1+ years post-injury. Conclusions : The SSDI provides useful information for mortality studies among persons with traumatic brain injuries, but does a poor job of identifying deaths among younger persons. Sole reliance on the SSDI may result in under-ascertainment of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]