Recent research by Dweck and associates has shown that feedback that focuses on the attributes of a child rather than the achievement process can promote a sense of contingent self-worth (Kamins & Dweck, 1999;Mueller & Dweck, 1998). Remarkably, this research has shown that even

This study investigated the utility of the Beck Depression Inventory for survey use in a college population by determining its concurrent validity, using psychiatric rating of depth of depression as the criterion (N-56). Interrater reliability of psychiatric estimate as measured by a Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was .62, perhaps because the primary and secondary raters used different diagnostic procedures. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient between the inventory and the psychiatric rating was .77. These findings indicate that the Beck Depression Inventory is indeed a valid instrument for use in a college population. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient between the inventory and the psychiatric estimate fell to .30 in a second sample in which 1-14 days intervened between administration of the inventory and the psychiatric interview (n = 27). This attenuation in subjects who experienced a time delay is consistent with the nature of the depression inventory as a measure of state as opposed to trait depression. The apparent decline in measured depression additionally suggests the need for longitudinal study to determine its course and outcome.Depression is widely viewed as the most frequently occurring psychic disorder among college students. Seligman (1973) contends that it is not only the most common of the psychological dysfunctions among students, but it is also increasing in frequency. Very little information is available concerning the prevalence of depression in college populations.Recently, however, Oliver, Croghan, and Katz (Note 1) have estimated the prevalence of depression in college students by administering the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck,

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This investigation (N = 204) examined (a) the relations between the hope construct (Snyder, Harris et al., 1991; Snyder, Irving, & Anderson, 1991) and its two essential components, "will" and "ways," and the related constructs of self-efficacy and optimism; and (b) the ability of hope, self-efficacy, and optimism to predict general well-being. Maximum-likelihood factor analysis recovered will, ways, self-efficacy, and optimism as generally distinct and independent entities. Results of multiple regression analyses predicting well-being indicated that (a) hope taken as a whole predicts unique variance independent of self-efficacy and optimism, (b) will predicts unique variance independent of self-efficacy, and (c) ways predicts unique variance independent of optimism. Overall, findings suggest that will, ways, self-efficacy, and optimism are related but not identical constructs.

The National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to 298 volunteers (average age 37.9 yrs) to determine the relation between DSM-III diagnosis of depression derived from the DIS and BDI scores of Ss. Results show that DSM-III diagnoses of depression were not associated with specific ranges of scores on the BDI, due to the heterogeneous nature of the category of dysthymic disorder. Using a cutting point of 9/10, sensitivity was 100%, specificity 86%, the proportion of false negatives 0%, and of false positives 13.7%, respectively. Upward adjustment of the cutting point on the BDI to 21/22 for research purposes reduced false positives to 1.4% but increased false negatives correspondingly to 52.4%. Upward adjustment of the cutting point on the BDI to 18/19 for epidemiologic purposes yielded an unbiased estimate of the prevalence of depression diagnosed by the DSM-III. (26 ref)

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Psychologists licensed in Missouri (207 men and 113 women) completed questionnaires concerning their (a) use of touch and sexually suggestive behaviors, (b) definition of sexual misconduct, (c) response to feelings of attraction to clients, and (d) reactions to client reports of previous therapist contact. Behavior and attitude dimensions of overt sexual behavior, touching, and suggestive behaviors were identified through factor analysis. The misconduct incidence rate was between 2.2% and 7.3%, depending on how misconduct was defined. Client reports of sexual contact with previous therapists had been received by 43.6% of respondents. Women, doctoral-level psychologists, and psychologists with fewer years of practice showed somewhat greater sensitivity to sexual misconduct issues. Results indicate that sexual misconduct remains a cause for serious professional concern and that greater attention to these ethical issues should be provided in therapist training.

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