The factor structure of the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist (RBPC) was examined in a large sample of suburban kindergarten children. Teacher-rated dimensions of Conduct Disorder, Attention Problems-Immaturity, Anxiety-Withdrawal, and Psychotic Behavior were closely replicated, and a new factor labeled Unmotivated-Isolated was also revealed. These principal components were consistent across gender and across subsamples of children differing as to risk status for learning failure. Evidence was found for the divergent validity of the externalizing dimensions of Conduct Disorder and Attention Problems-Immaturity with respect to criterion measures of alternative behavior ratings, cognitive functioning, and academic achievement. Parent-rated components of Conduct Disorder, Attention Problems-Immaturity, Hyperactive-Impatient, Tense-Withdrawn, Anxiety, and Passive-Conforming were less clearly validated, and parent-teacher agreement was modest. It was concluded that the RBPC shows promise for the assessment of preschool-aged children and that narrow-band externalizing dimensions of inattentive versus conduct-disordered behavior are reasonably distinct at this age.
This study tested the hypothesis that Rorschach indicators of psychological instability and perceptual sensitivity are predictive of therapeutic outcome in a child psychiatric inpatient service. Thirty-four children, matched for age, were divided into two groups, Improvers and Decliners, based on changes in behavioral problems over 60 days of hospitalization. The groups were not distinguishable by scores on intellectual tests, sex, or the initial quality or severity of psychological disturbance. Analyses of Rorschach protocols indicated that children who obtained higher ep, ep-EA, Blends, Zf, and Z sum and lower Lambda had improved in treatment. The results suggest that children who are less stabilized and manifest perceptual sensitivity do achieve the greatest gains.
On an 8-bed adolescent psychiatric unit, 69 patients were rated over the course of more than one year [corrected]. A set of rating scales was used to determine the relationships of treatment and therapeutic alliance difficulties with staff ratings of patient qualities, family issues, and treatment outcome. Findings underscore the clinical relevance of treatment difficulty and therapeutic alliance in conceptualizing the therapeutic action of the hospital treatment.
The contribution of nonspecific factors to therapeutic outcome are discussed in their relation to the adoption of a theoretical framework for psychotherapy. The position is taken that a theoretical choice must be made, both in order to bring some nonspecific factors into play, and to most responsibly remain aware of the value biases and messages inherent in one's therapeutic techniques. Suggestions are made about the teaching of psychological theory, and possibilities for research on values and theory in psychotherapy are proposed.
The factorial composition of SEARCH, an individually administered screening instrument resigned to predict subsequent learning failure, was investigated in two suburban kindergarten cohorts. Results of principal components analyses supported a two-factor solution, with orthogonal factors entitled Verbal/Language and Visual Perception. The four discrete perceptual areas thought to underlie the test were not validated. Preliminary analyses of follow-up achievement data revealed superior criterion-related validity for the Verbal-Language factor. Continuing longitudinal assessment should allow more complete evaluation of the construct and predictive validity of this two-factor model.
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