The purpose of this study was to examine five possible models of negative emotionality using the short version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) in a large sample of non‐clinical adolescents (N = 677). The results from our confirmatory factor analysis reveal that negative emotionality in adolescents is best represented by the tripartite model. Our findings are in line with other studies regarding the structure of negative emotionality in adolescents and provide support for the validity of the tripartite model of negative emotionality underlying the DASS‐21 in adolescent boys and girls. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The aim of this study is to further establish the validity and reliability of the Dula Dangerous Driving Index (DDDI). The reliability and validity of the instrument was investigated by comparing data from a US university sample, a US community sample, and a sample of Belgian traffic offenders. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported the presence of a four-factor structure with items for Drunk Driving forming a separate scale apart from items for Risky Driving, Negative Cognitive/Emotional Driving and Aggressive Driving. A multi-group confirmatory factor analysis with model constraints supported the validity of the DDDI. Inter-correlations revealed that the DDDI subscales are closely interrelated and uni-dimensionality of the measure was found in all three samples. This suggests the DDDI Total score can be used as a composite measure for dangerous driving. However, the validity of the subscales was demonstrated in the Belgian sample, as specific traffic offender groups (convicted for drunk driving, aggressive driving, speeding) scored higher on corresponding scales (Drunk Driving, Aggressive Driving, and Risky Driving, respectively), indicating that it is clinically meaningful to differentiate the subscales.Numerous studies have documented that aggressive driving is indeed a real problem (e.g., Canada Safety Council, 2001;Joint, 1995;Lajunen & Parker, 2001;Mizell, 1997;Sarkar et al., 2000;Rathbone & Huckabee, 1999; U.S. Department of Transportation, USDOT, 1998), though how much damage is done and whether or not it is increasing is a matter of debate (e.g., James & Nahl, 2000;Martinez, 1997;Sullman et al., 2007; USDOT, 1998). However, it seems aggressive driving is a construct that remains unclear in much of the literature. The following serves to elucidate the issue and provide the rationale for the division of the breadth of coverage in the Dula Dangerous Driving Index (DDDI) and its division into distinct subscales.A critical feature of interpersonal aggression is intent to harm, either psychologically (as with insults or gestures) or physically (e.g., Baron & Richardson, 1994; Geen & O'Neil, 1976; Goldstein, 1994;Felson, 2000). When applied to a vehicular context, intention is often implied but usually not truly known. A variety of aggressive driving definitions have been posited (e.g., Connell & Joint, 1996;Joint, 1995;Ellison-Potter, Bell, & Deffenbacher, 2001;Gulian, Matthews, Glendon, & Davies, 1989;James & Nahl, 2000;Mizell, 1997;Sarkar et al., 2000;Shinar, 1998); however, a common factor is that all include behaviors and cognitive and/or emotional states that make the driving situation more dangerous. Dula and Geller (2004) highlighted problems with defining driver aggression and posited that it is more useful to construe aggression as but one facet of dangerous driving. Dangerous driving encompasses Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the...

In this study, the authors compared the respective contribution of an individual's subjective response and the frequency of exposure to critical incidents to the development of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of 136 nurses and ambulance personnel working in military facilities. They found no relationship between the frequency of encountered critical incidents and the occurrence of PTSD symptoms. The subjective response to a stressor contributed to the development of PTSD symptoms and was most strongly associated with intrusion, partial eta squared =.23, and hyperarousal symptoms, partial eta squared =.16. Stressors that elicited the most intense affects within this population were those involving children and those where workers encountered limitations in supplies and resources.

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This paper presents the result of a research which investigated the influence of the subjective factors 'adult attachment style' and 'perception of social support' in the occurrence of post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) in a population of 544 subjects working for a security company and the Belgian Red Cross. The analysis of the results suggests that 'adult attachment style' and 'perception of social support' moderate between a critical incident and the occurrence of a PTSD. In other words, these independent variables differentiate between individuals who are more, and who are less prone, to suffer from a PTSD after having experienced a critical incident. The results of this research shed light on subjective risk factors related to PTSD. The findings can also suggest guidelines for the treatment of individuals suffering from a PTSD.

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This study examined the relationship between the emotion-regulating factor alexithymia and the occurrence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after critical incidents in a nonclinical sample of 136 nurses and ambulance personnel working in military facilities. The results showed that alexythima accounts for variance in PTSD symptoms. Breaking PTSD into its 4 symptom clusters, alexithymia was found to predict numbing and hyperarousal symptoms but not avoidance or reexperiencing symptoms. Finally, the rarely investigated, but clinically relevant, distinctive subdimensions of alexithymia were examined in relation to the 4 PTSD clusters. The difficulty identifying feelings subscale contributed most to the numbing and hyperarousal PTSD subscales. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.

This study investigates the effects of six types of social support on distress and posttraumatic stress disorders in security guards who did and did not encounter a critical incident. Three types of social support were significantly related to distress and posttraumatic stress disorder: emotional support in problem situations, instrumental support, and social companionship. Emotional support in problem situations paradoxically appeared to have an aggravating effect on distress and posttraumatic stress, whereas instrumental support and social companionship had a mitigating outcome.