The utility and comparative incremental validity of the MMPI-2 and Trauma symptom Inventory validity scales in the detection of feigned PTSD.

The authors examined the comparative predictive capacity of the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) Atypical Response Scale (ATR) and the standard set of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) fake-bad validity scales (i.e., F, FB, Fp, FBS) to detect feigned posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Remitted trauma victims (n = 60) completed the TSI and MMPI-2 under standard (honest) instructions and then were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 experimental conditions (noncoached/validity scale coached) in which they were administered these instruments again with instruction to fake PTSD. These test protocols were compared with TSI and MMPI-2 results from workplace injury claimants with PTSD (n = 84). The ATR and FBS were able to distinguish only the noncoached participants instructed to fake from the PTSD claimants; in contrast, the F, FB, and Fp scales were able to distinguish both the noncoached and the validity-scale-coached participants from the PTSD claimants. F, FB, and Fp always outperformed the ATR and FBS; neither the ATR nor the FBS was able to add incremental predictive variance to that of F, FB, or Fp. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training and use of baccalaureate nurses

One thousand three hundred sixty-five soldiers from the U.S. Army completed a 30-item version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) together with four questions on sexual abuse developed for a national survey of U.S. adults. A four-factor solution to the CTQ produced four subscales that were similar to those found in the original study, namely (1) emotional neglect, (2) physical and emotional abuse, (3) sexual abuse, and (4) physical neglect. We found that half of female soldiers reported a childhood history of sexual abuse, compared with one-sixth of male soldiers. Half of both male and female soldiers reported a childhood history of physical abuse. Combined abuse histories were noted in 34% of female and 11% of male soldiers. Abused soldiers reported more psychological symptoms on the Brief Symptom Inventory than nonabused soldiers. The CTQ and screening questions are discussed as possible tools for eliciting histories of abuse from soldiers.     

Numerical taxonomy of Skermania piniformis and related isolates from activated sludge

This study compared 21 female adult psychiatric patients diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) with 21 female adult nondissociative psychiatric patients to determine whether DID patients exhibit a distinguishing set of clinical features, and perceptual, attentional, and cognitive processes. Participants were assessed with the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule to assess diagnostic status. Group scores on the Dissociative Experiences Scale, Tellegen Absorption Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Brief Symptom Inventory, and the Rorschach test were compared. DID participants reported earlier and more severe childhood trauma, more dissociative symptoms, and a greater propensity for altered states of consciousness. The DID participants also exhibited increased projective and imaginative activity, a diminished ability to integrate mental contents, a complex and driven cognitive style, and a highly unconventional view of reality.     

Identifying dissociative identity disorder: A self-report and projective study.

This study compared 21 female adult psychiatric patients diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) with 21 female adult nondissociative psychiatric patients to determine whether DID patients exhibit a distinguishing set of clinical features, and perceptual, attentional, and cognitive processes. Participants were assessed with the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule to assess diagnostic status. Group scores on the Dissociative Experiences Scale, Tellegen Absorption Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Brief Symptom Inventory, and the Rorschach test were compared. DID participants reported earlier and more severe childhood trauma, more dissociative symptoms, and a greater propensity for altered states of consciousness. The DID participants also exhibited increased projective and imaginative activity, a diminished ability to integrate mental contents, a complex and driven cognitive style, and a highly unconventional view of reality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 Restructured Form in National Guard soldiers screening positive for posttraumatic stress disorder and mild traumatic brain injury.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2 RF) was administered to 251 National Guard soldiers who had recently returned from deployment to Iraq. Soldiers were also administered questionnaires to identify posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). On the basis of responses to the screening instruments, the National Guard soldiers who produced a valid MMPI-2 RF were classified into four groups: 21 soldiers who screened positive for PTSD only, 33 soldiers who screened positive for mTBI only, 9 soldiers who screened positive for both conditions, and 166 soldiers who did not screen positive for either condition. Results showed that the MMPI-2 RF was able to differentiate across the groups with the MMPI-2 RF specific problem scale Anxiety adding incrementally to MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical scales in predicting PTSD. Both MMPI-2 RC1 (Somatic Complaints) and MMPI-2 RF head pain complaints predicted mTBI screen but did not add incrementally to each other. Of note, all of the MMPI-2 RF validity scales associated with overreporting, including Symptom Validity—Revised (FBS-r), were not significantly elevated in the mTBI group. These findings support the use of the MMPI-2 RF in assessing PTSD in non–treatment-seeking veterans. This further suggests that a positive screen for mTBI alone is not associated with significant emotional disturbance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessing posttraumatic disorder with the MMPI–2 in a sample of workplace accident victims.

In this study, the predictive capacity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder–Keane (MMPI–2 PK) scale was examined in a sample of trauma victims who experienced a serious workplace-related accident and subsequent injury. In keeping with a number of previous investigations, the PK scale was largely ineffective in identifying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) beyond overall symptom and functional severity. In contrast, sets of clinical and content scales proved to be significant predictors of PTSD. These findings suggest that the PK scale is not particularly useful in detecting PTSD in civilian trauma samples. Clinicians might be best advised to use the MMPI–2 clinical and content scales in their assessment of PTSD in civilian patients presenting with a history of trauma. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mental health of Somali adolescent refugees: The role of trauma, stress, and perceived discrimination.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine relations between trauma exposure, post-resettlement stressors, perceived discrimination, and mental health symptoms in Somali adolescent refugees resettled in the U.S. Participants were English-speaking Somali adolescent refugees between the ages of 11 and 20 (N = 135) who had resettled in the U.S. Participants were administered an interview battery comprising self-report instruments that included the UCLA Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Index, the War Trauma Screening Scale, the Every Day Discrimination scale, the Adolescent Post-War Adversities Scale, and the Acculturative Hassles Inventory. Results indicated that cumulative trauma was related to PTSD and depression symptoms. Further, post-resettlement stressors, acculturative stressors, and perceived discrimination were also associated with greater PTSD symptoms after accounting for trauma, demographic, and immigration variables. Number of years since resettlement in the US and perceived discrimination were significantly related to depressive symptoms, after accounting for trauma, demographic, and immigration variables. Further research elucidating the relations between post-resettlement stressors, discrimination, and mental health of refugee adolescents may inform intervention development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Disorders of extreme stress following war-zone military trauma: Associated features of posttraumatic stress disorder or comorbid but distinct syndromes?

Disorders of extreme stress not otherwise specified (DESNOS) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were found to be comorbid but distinct among military veterans seeking inpatient PTSD treatment: 31% qualified for both conditions, 29% were diagnosed PTSD only, 26% were classified DESNOS only, and 13% met criteria for neither. PTSD diagnosis was associated with elevated levels of war-zone trauma exposure and witnessing atrocities and with impairment on the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD and the Penn Inventory. DESNOS classification (but not PTSD) was associated with (a) early childhood trauma and participation in war-zone atrocities, (b) extreme levels of intrusive trauma reexperiencing, (c) impaired characterological functioning (object relations), and (d) use of intensive psychiatric services. PTSD and DESNOS may be comorbid but distinct posttraumatic syndromes and, as such, warrant careful clinical and scientific investigation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An exploratory study of vicarious trauma among therapist trainees.

The current study explored vicarious trauma among therapist trainees in relation to history of trauma, experience level, trauma-specific training, and defense style. Students in graduate clinical and counseling psychology training programs (N = 129) completed the Trauma Symptom Inventory, Defense Style Questionnaire, and an experience questionnaire. Results indicated trauma symptoms were significantly associated with defense style, which appeared to moderate personal trauma history and experience level. Trauma-specific training was also independently related to trauma symptoms. Notably, over half the sample reported a self-sacrificing defense style, which was a risk factor for vicarious trauma. Training implications of the findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Speed of finger tapping and goal attainment after unilateral cerebral vascular accident

Forty children of 28 fathers who are Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Each of the fathers had at least one elevated clinical scale. Fathers averaged eight elevated clinical scales, and compared to more recent norms, fathers averaged seven elevated clinical scales. Seventy-eight percent of the children had at least one clinically elevated scale (averaging three elevated clinical scales). Compared to contemporary normal adolescents and adults, 65% of children had at least one clinically elevated scale (still averaging three elevated clinical scales). No consistent MMPI profile patterns emerged within or across the two groups. No gender differences were detected among child MMPI profiles. Forty percent of the children reported illegal drug use, and 35% reported behavior problems. Fifteen percent of children reported previous violent behavior. Eighty-three percent of the children reported elevated Cook-Medley hostility scores as compared to an age-matched national normative sample. Children with higher PK scores were also significantly more likely to report higher Cook-Medley hostility scores. Forty-five percent of children reported significant elevations on the PTSD/PK subscales.     

Coping style use predicts posttraumatic stress and complicated grief symptom severity among college students reporting a traumatic loss.

Problem-focused coping, and active and avoidant emotional coping were examined as correlates of grief and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity among 123 college students reporting the unexpected death of an immediate family member, romantic partner, or very close friend. The authors administered to participants, via the Internet, 5 survey instruments that measured demographic characteristics, traumatic event exposure (Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire; L. Goodman, C. Corcoran, K. Turner, N. Yuan, & B. L. Green, 1998), complicated grief (CG) severity (Inventory of Complicated Grief--Revised--Short Form; A. E. Latham & H. G. Prigerson, 2004; H. G. Prigerson & S. C. Jacobs, 2001), PTSD severity (PTSD Checklist; F. W. Weathers, B. T. Litz, D. S. Herman, J. A. Huska, & T. M. Keane, 1993), and coping style use (Brief COPE; C. S. Carver, 1997). Results demonstrated that CG and PTSD severity were both significantly positively correlated with problem-focused, and active and avoidant emotional coping styles. The authors used path analysis to control for time since the loss and trauma frequency and found that only avoidant emotional coping remained significant in predicting CG and PTSD severity. Results are discussed in terms of their clinical implications for treating individuals with traumatic losses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychometric evaluation of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder assessments in persons with severe mental illness.

Interrater reliability, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity were examined for the Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ), the Clinician-Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale (CAPS), and the PTSD Checklist (PCL) in 30 clients with severe mental illnesses. Interrater reliability for the THQ and CAPS was high, as was internal consistency of CAPS and PCL subscales. The test-retest reliability of the THQ was moderate to high for different traumas. PTSD diagnoses on the CAPS and PCL showed moderate test-retest reliability. Lower levels of test-retest reliability for PTSD diagnoses were related to psychosis diagnoses and symptoms. However, when more stringent criteria for PTSD were used on the CAPS, it had excellent test-retest reliability across all clients. CAPS and PCL diagnoses of PTSD showed moderate convergent validity. The results support the reliability of trauma and PTSD assessments in clients with severe mental illness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Inpatient diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Attempted to distinguish among 3 types of inpatient veterans: (a) those with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat experience; (b) those with a diagnosis other than PTSD and with combat experience; and (c) non-PTSD, noncombat patients. 75 Vietnam-era veterans classified in these groups were administered an assessment battery that included the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Profile of Mood States. Results show no differences among the groups on premorbid variables. PTSD Ss, however, responded in a more pathological direction on psychometric and adjustment variables. A discriminant analysis using these variables correctly classified 85% of the Ss in the 3 groups. Time spent in combat was highly correlated with PTSD variables such as intrusion and numbing experiences; total stress; and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anger. Results also cross-validate the MMPI-based PTSD scale developed by T. Keane et al (see record 1985-02913-001). (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder predictors of mental health treatment use in college students.

The authors examined trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) associations with previous mental health (MH) treatment use in college students while statistically controlling for gender and treatment attitudes. A total of 300 students were recruited for an Internet survey and were administered a modified version of the demographic survey, the Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire (L. Goodman, C. Corcoran, K. Turner, N. Yuan, & B. L. Green, 1998), PTSD Symptom Scale-Self-Report (PSS; E. B. Foa, D. S. Riggs, C. V. Dancu, & B. O. Rothbaum, 1993), Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form (ATSPPH; E. H. Fischer & A. Farina, 1995), and a MH treatment use survey. Univariate analyses demonstrated that previous MH treatment use was associated with violent crime and noncrime trauma frequency, and treatment attitudes. Controlling for gender and MH treatment attitudes, regression analyses including violent and noncrime trauma and PTSD significantly predicted previous MH service use and recent visit counts; only noncrime trauma and treatment attitudes were significant for service use, and only treatment attitudes was significant for visit counts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Are community studies of psychological trauma's impact accurate? A study among Jews and Palestinians.

We evaluated the accuracy of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression (MD) diagnoses using brief assessment instruments conducted by phone. PTSD and MD were assessed by telephone interview in a randomly selected sample of Jewish and Palestinian residents of Jerusalem (N = 150) during a period of marked threat of terrorism and war. We utilized the PTSD Symptom Scale Interview Format (Foa, Riggs, Dancu, & Rothbaum, 1993) and the Patient Health Questionnaire—9 (PHQ–9; Kroenke, Spitzer, & Williams, 2001). We then conducted in-depth, in-person interviews within 2 weeks, assessing PTSD and MD using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI; Kessler et al., 2004). The prevalence of PTSD and MD diagnosis ascertained by the 2 assessment modalities was similar. Indices of classification accuracy for the phone interview, using the in-person interview as the standard, ranged from modest to high. Brief phone and in-depth in-person measures of PTSD and MD also correlated similarly with other demographic, stress, and coping factors, suggesting convergent validity. Brief phone interviews appear useful for estimating the prevalence of psychological disorders in mass casualty contexts and may have a critical role in both epidemiologic work and guiding public health interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Depression screening scale validation in an elderly, community-dwelling population.

This study contrasted the relative effectiveness of an interviewer-rated instrument, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and 2 self-report scales, the short form of the Beck Depression Inventory and the depression scale from the Brief Symptom Inventory, in identifying cases of depression. Cases of major depression, dysthymia, and depressive disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) were identified by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III—R (SCID) in a sample of 177 elderly community-dwellers. Receiver operating curves were used to evaluate the relative abilities of the 3 screening instruments to identify cases of depression. All 3 instruments identified major depression and depressive disorder NOS. None was consistently sensitive to cases of dysthymia. The incremental utility of the interview-based instrument for screening was nonsignificant, suggesting that the increased expense in a community setting may not be justified. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Primate diversity, habitat preferences, and population density estimates in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that different types of gender-related personality attributes are associated with a past history of different types of childhood maltreatment. METHOD: A survey was administered to 1,060 male soldiers and 305 female soldiers in the U.S. Army. The survey instrument included the Extended Personal Attributes Questionnaire (EPAQ) which is a self-assessment instrument of personality characteristics associated with gender, and includes measures of positive masculinity (self-assertive/instrumental traits), positive femininity (expressive/interpersonal traits), negative masculinity (hyper masculine/macho traits), and negative femininity (subordination of self to others). The survey instrument also included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), which contains scales measuring sexual abuse, physical-emotional abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect, and four questions on childhood sexual abuse developed for a national survey of U.S. adults. RESULTS: Negative masculinity was predicted by male gender, younger age, and childhood physical-emotional abuse. Negative femininity was predicted by physical-emotional abuse and sexual abuse. The relationship to sexual abuse was mainly evident for males. Positive femininity was positively correlated with sexual abuse for females and negatively correlated with sexual abuse for males. Positive masculinity was negatively correlated with emotional neglect for males but not for females. Positive femininity was negatively correlated with emotional neglect for both genders. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood abuse was associated with the presence of negative gender-related attributes; childhood neglect was associated with absence of positive gender-related attributes. Childhood physical abuse was associated with negative masculine attributes in both genders. Childhood sexual abuse was associated with positive feminine attributes in females, and negative feminine attributes in males. The finding for females is counterintuitive, and is discussed in the light of the clinical literature on certain types of adaptation to incest.     

Measuring avoidance in medical rehabilitation.

Objective: To establish psychometric properties of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ), a measure of avoidance, in medical rehabilitation populations. Study Design: Cross-sectional and longitudinal. Setting: Three acute, inpatient rehabilitation units. Participants: One hundred thirty-nine adults with spinal cord dysfunction, stroke, amputation, or orthopedic surgery. Measures: AAQ, Hope Scale, Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, Hopkins Rehabilitation Engagement Rating Scale, Functional Independence Measure, Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique, Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results: The AAQ has adequate internal consistency (α = .70), is best understood with a two-factor solution, is positively correlated with depression (r = .36, p r = .41, p r = ?.51, p r = ?.33, p r = ?.32, p     

Susceptibility of the trauma symptom inventory to malingering

This study examined the sensitivity and specificity of the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI; Briere, 1995), a self-report measure of psychological sequelae of potentially traumatic events, to malingering. An optimal cutting score for a validity scale--Atypical Responding (ATR)--designed to identify exaggeration or other unusual response sets was developed in an analogue sample of 155 college students and subsequently applied to TSI profiles from several samples of patients with various psychiatric disorders. Use of a cross-validated T-score cutoff of 61 and below on the ATR scale produced good sensitivity (81%) and specificity (92%) rates in the analogue sample. Participants in the analogue sample who reported a history of traumatic experiences were no more able to successfully malinger trauma symptoms than were participants without such histories. Furthermore, false-positive rates in the clinical samples were generally low, suggesting that relatively few genuinely symptomatic individuals would be misclassified as malingering.     

Childhood maltreatment, perceived stress, and stress-related coping in recently abstinent cocaine dependent adults.

The authors examined associations between a personal history of childhood maltreatment and the perceived stress and stress-coping styles of recently abstinent and treatment-engaged cocaine dependent adults. Fifty men and 41 women at an inpatient treatment and research facility were administered the short form of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (D. P. Bernstein & L. Fink, 1998; D. P. Bernstein et al., 2003), the Perceived Stress Scale (S. Cohen, T. Kamarck, & R. Mermelstein, 1983), and the COPE Questionnaire (C. S. Carver, M. R. Scheier, & J. K. Weintraub, 1989). Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze relationships while adjusting for relevant covariates. Findings indicate that overall childhood maltreatment severity was significantly associated with greater perceived stress and greater use of avoidance stress-coping strategies. These findings suggest that having a history of childhood maltreatment may influence how recently abstinent cocaine dependent individuals experience and cope with stress. Stress and stress-coping focused interventions may be particularly indicated for cocaine dependent individuals with histories of childhood maltreatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)