Body image and nonsuicidal self‐injury: Validation of the Body Investment Scale in participants with eating disorders

The Body Investment Scale (BIS) assesses body image feelings, body care, protection of the body, and comfort in touch, in order to identify and distinguish participants with self‐harming and self‐destructive tendencies. However, the psychometric properties of the BIS were not analysed in participants diagnosed with eating disorders. The main objective of the present study is to confirm the factor structure of the Spanish version of the BIS and analyse its psychometric properties in a sample composed of women diagnosed with eating disorders. Participants were 250 Spanish women between 12 and 60 years old (M = 26.05, SD = 11.97) diagnosed with eating disorders. A confirmatory factor analysis showed a poor fit of the original BIS. The final model showed an acceptable 4‐factor structure (Body Feelings, α = .88; Body Touch, α = .82; Body Protection, α = .77; Body Care, α = .68), with a good fit to the data (SBχ²₍₂₄₆₎ = 393.21, CFI = .906, IFI = .908, RMSEA = .049). The relationships between the BIS and both the Purpose‐In‐Life Test—10 Items and Beck Hopelessness Scale were analysed, as well as differences in the BIS score according to nonsuicidal self‐injuries and suicidal ideation in the past year. The BIS is an appropriate instrument to assess the body investment dimension of body image in women with eating disorders.     

Disturbed sleep in attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not a question of psychiatric comorbidity or ADHD presentation

Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heterogeneous psychiatric disorder with three different presentations and high levels of psychiatric comorbidity. Serious sleep complaints are also common, but the role of the presentations and comorbidity in sleep is under‐investigated in ADHD. Consequently, the goal of the study was to investigate sleep problems in medicine‐naive school‐aged children (mean age = 9.6 years) with ADHD compared to controls using objective methods and to examine the role of comorbidity and presentations. Ambulatory polysomnography results suggested that children with ADHD (n = 76) had significantly more sleep disturbances than controls (n = 25), including a larger percentage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and more sleep cycles, as well as lower mean sleep efficiency, mean non‐REM (NREM) sleep stage 1 and mean NREM sleep stage 3. No significant between‐group differences were found on the multiple sleep latency test. Stratifying for comorbidity in the ADHD group did not reveal major differences between groups, but mean sleep latency was significantly longer in children with ADHD and no comorbidity compared to controls (36.1 min; SD = 30.1 versus 22.6 min; SD = 15.2). No differences were found between ADHD presentations. Our results support the presence of night‐time sleep disturbances in children with ADHD. Poor sleep does not appear to be attributable to comorbidity alone, nor do sleep disturbances differ within ADHD presentations.     

Comparison of early maladaptive schemas between borderline personality disorder and chronic depression

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and chronic depression (CD) are common and challenging mental disorders. Maladaptive cognitive schemas have been proposed to increase vulnerability to both disorders. In order to elucidate the role of maladaptive cognitive schemas in BPD and CD, this study compared psychiatric outpatients with BPD (N = 30) and CD (N = 30) in terms of early maladaptive schemas (EMSs). The groups were compared using the Young Schema Questionnaire short form‐extended (YSQ‐S2‐extended) and the 15D health status questionnaire. BPD patients showed higher endorsement on the majority of EMSs, poorer social functioning, and greater concurrent distress than CD patients. However, after controlling for concurrent effects of psychological distress, the groups did not differ in 14 out of the 18 EMSs. These findings point to significant similarities in maladaptive beliefs between the 2 disorders and do not support broad, specific patterns of EMSs associated with either disorder. The results highlight the need for further study of the role of maladaptive schemas in the development and treatment of chronic mental disorders.     

Chronic sleep reduction in adolescents—clinical cut‐off scores for the Chronic Sleep Reduction Questionnaire (CSRQ)

The Chronic Sleep Reduction Questionnaire is a validated questionnaire that measures symptoms of prolonged insufficient and/or poor sleep and therefore accounts for individuals’ sleep need and sleep debt. This study extends its psychometric properties by providing cut‐off scores, using a matched sample of 298 healthy adolescents (15.38 ± 1.63 years, 37.9% male, mean Chronic Sleep Reduction Questionnaire score: 32.98 ± 6.51) and 298 adolescents with insomnia/delayed sleep–wake phase disorder (15.48 ± 1.62 years; 37.9% male, mean Chronic Sleep Reduction Questionnaire score: 42.59 ± 7.06). We found an area under the curve of 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.81–0.87). Cut‐off scores for optimal sensitivity, optimal specificity and based on Youden's criterion are provided. These cut‐off scores are highly relevant for use of the Chronic Sleep Reduction Questionnaire in future studies and clinical practice.     

Transcultural,transdiagnostic, and concurrent validity of a revised metacognitions about symptoms control scale

Anxiety and depression add to the burden of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Metacognitions play a role in this distress. The metacognitions about symptoms control scale (MaSCS) measure metacognitive beliefs regarding symptoms but have weaknesses. The current study created a revised MaSCS (MaSCS‐R) in English, German, and Arabic versions using CFS, FM, and T1DM samples and examined the transcultural, transdiagnostic, and concurrent validity of metacognitions about symptom control. This study used data from 563 participants clinically diagnosed with CFS (n = 124; English), FM (n = 348; German), or T1DM (n = 91; Lebanese). CFS and FM data had been used in earlier published studies but were subjected to new analyses. CFS data were used to create the English version of the MaSCS‐R and FM and T1DM data for German and Arabic versions. Metacognitions about worry, anxiety, depression, and symptom severity were measured. The three MaSCS‐R versions, consisting of two factors (each with four items), had adequate psychometric properties, possessing configural and metric invariance. Metacognitive factors were associated with distress and symptom severity in all three samples. Metacognitions about symptom control have transcultural, transdiagnostic, and concurrent validity.     

Validation of the Serbian version of the Metacognitions Questionnaire‐30 in nonclinical and clinical samples

The Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ‐30) is a brief multidimensional measure used for assessment of metacognitive beliefs in psychopathology. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of MCQ‐30 in Serbian nonclinical (n = 246) and clinical (n = 171; anxiety and depressive disorders) samples. The reliability of the questionnaire and its subscales was satisfactory. An exploratory factor analysis yielded a five‐factor solution in both groups, whereas a confirmatory factor analysis showed a somewhat weaker fit of the model. The MCQ‐30 showed positive associations with measures of anxiety, pathological worry, depressive, and obsessive–compulsive symptoms in both samples, demonstrating adequate convergent validity. The instrument was sensitive to differences in metacognitive beliefs between nonclinical and clinical samples. MCQ‐30 subscales showed incremental contributions in predicting pathological worry after controlling for the variance in obsessive–compulsive symptoms and vice versa. Our results suggest that the MCQ‐30 is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing metacognitive beliefs in both nonclinical and clinical samples. Moreover, the findings support the use of the MCQ‐30 in Serbian population and extend support for the metacognitive model.     

Reynolds adolescent depression scale‐second edition: a reliable and useful instrument

The authors conducted two studies to address issues of the dimensionality, scale reliability, and psychometric properties of scores on the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale‐Second Edition (RADS‐2; Reynolds, 2002 ) in samples of adolescent psychiatric inpatients. In Study 1 (N=262), they used bifactor analysis to further evaluate the general and specific components of the RADS‐2. In Study 2 (N=196), they used confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the fit of a 1‐factor model, the original 4‐factor model, a second‐order model, and a bifactor model to a new sample data. In both studies, the total RADS‐2 and content‐specific subscale scores showed acceptable estimates of reliability (i.e., scale reliability estimates >.80). Estimates of concurrent validity were also examined. Scores of the RADS‐2 total and content‐specific subscale scores were useful in differentiating between the responses of youth with mood disorder diagnoses and those with other primary psychiatric disorder diagnoses. The authors also conducted correlation analyses to identify potential correlates for the total RADS‐2 scale and the proposed subscale scores. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 66:1–22, 2010.     

Psychometric evaluation of the simplified Japanese version of the Athens Insomnia Scale: The Fukushima Health Management Survey

We investigated the psychometric properties of the simplified Japanese version of the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS‐SJ) using baseline data from the Fukushima Health Management Survey. Data from 22 878 men and 27 669 women aged 16 years and older were analysed (M_age = 52.9 ± 18.6). Participants lived in the Fukushima evacuation zone and experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake. The AIS‐SJ was used to assess participants’ insomnia symptoms, and its validity was examined by administering the Kessler 6‐item Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and assessing education, self‐rated health and disaster‐related experiences. A confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the two‐factor model was a better fit than the one‐factor model. The AIS‐SJ and its subscales had acceptable reliability (Cronbach's alpha, 0.81). Test of measurement invariance confirmed strict invariance across groups for the participants’ characteristics of gender and mental illness history, but not for participants’ age. AIS‐SJ scores exhibited a near‐normal distribution (skewness, 0.45; kurtosis, ?0.89). There were significant age differences only among women, and gender differences in AIS‐SJ scores with small effect sizes. The AIS‐SJ scores had weak‐to‐moderate correlations with mental illness history, bereavement, experiencing the tsunami, experiencing the nuclear power plant incident, housing damage and losing one's job (polyserial correlations, 0.36, 0.17, 0.13, 0.18, 0.13, and 0.15, respectively), and strong correlations with self‐rated health (polyserial correlation, 0.51), psychological distress (r_s, 0.60) and post‐traumatic stress disorder (r_s, 0.60). The AIS‐SJ is a useful instrument for assessing community dwellers’ insomnia symptoms.     

Sleep hygiene behaviours in Iranian adolescents: an application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Poor sleep quality and inadequate sleep in adolescents are a rising trend globally. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)—which centres on an individual's attitude toward performing the behaviour, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control—has been applied to examine sleep hygiene behaviours in young adults. We expanded on prior works by using a longitudinal design to examine the effects of TPB factors, together with sleep hygiene knowledge and planning constructs, on sleep hygiene behaviours and on sleep quality and health in a group of Iranian adolescents. A total of 1822 healthy adolescents (mean age = 13.97) from 25 high schools in Qazvin, Iran, completed a self‐reported survey at baseline and 6 months later. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to delineate the pathway from adolescents’ sleep hygiene knowledge, TPB constructs of their behavioural intentions and sleep hygiene behaviours and their sleep quality and self‐reported health. The SEM model demonstrated that although behavioural intention, coping planning and action planning predicted the sleep hygiene behaviours positively 6 months later with acceptable model fit [comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.936; Tucker–Lewis index (TLI) = 0.902; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.080; standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.044], sleep hygiene knowledge did not predict behavioural intentions significantly. Sleep hygiene behaviours were associated with sleep quality and psychiatric wellbeing. Thus, the TPB, combined with coping and action planning, is useful in understanding the sleep hygiene behaviours of adolescents. Health‐care providers may want to emphasize TPB constructs and coping and action planning to improve adolescents’ sleep hygiene behaviours, rather than rely solely upon increasing adolescents’ sleep hygiene knowledge.     

Factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Beck Anxiety Inventory in adolescent psychiatric inpatients

The purpose of this study was to examine further the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) in samples of adolescents, ages 14 to 18 years. The BAI is a 21-item self-report measure of anxiety severity. The BAI total score differentiated between the inpatient and high-school adolescents. In the psychiatric inpatient sample, girls obtained higher anxiety-severity scores than boys; no gender differences were obtained for the BAI total score in the high-school sample. Confirmatory factor analyses did not provide adequate fit for the two- factor oblique BAI models to the separate male and female psychiatric inpatient data. Principal axes with varimax and promax rotations initially identified a four-factor solution in the separate male and female inpatient participants. However, second-order analyses of the primary factors provided stronger support for a single-factor structure in each sample. Estimates of reliability for the BAI were adequate in samples of psychiatric inpatient and high-school adolescents. Evidence for convergent and discriminant validity of the BAI was investigated separately in the male and female inpatient samples. Overall, the BAI showed acceptable psychometric properties in these populations.     

Psychometric evaluation of the body investment scale for use with adolescents

We conducted two studies to examine the psychometric properties of the Body Investment Scale (BIS; Orbach & Mikulincer, 1998) in U.S. adolescent samples. The BIS was designed to assess bodily experiences that are associated with suicide‐related behaviors. In Study 1, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with data from a combined sample of 204 high school adolescents (83 boys, 121 girls) and 197 psychiatric inpatient (101 boys, 96 girls) adolescents provided moderate support for the oblique four‐factor solution: Body Feelings (ρ=.86, 95% CI=.83–.89), Body Touch (ρ=.71, 95% CI=.65–.76), Body Care (ρ=.78, 95% CI=.71–.81), and Body Protection (ρ=.78, 95% CI=.73–.82); robust comparative fit index=.88 and the robust Tucker Lewis Index=.83. The second‐order factor model also provided moderate fit to the data. In Study 2, results of the CFA with data from adolescent psychiatric inpatients (N=205; 101 boys, 104 girls) provided additional support for the four‐factor solution. In addition, results of the receiver operating characteristic and logistic regression analyses showed that scores on the Body Feelings and Body Protection scales were most useful in differentiating the responses of suicidal and nonsuicidal adolescents, all Cohen's d values >.30. The study also examined associations between scores on the BIS scales and the validation self‐report measures of hopelessness, suicide‐related behavior, and reasons for living. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 66: 259–276, 2010.     

Strengthening competence of therapists‐in‐training in the treatment of health anxiety (hypochondriasis): Validation of the Assessment of Core CBT Skills (ACCS)

Although the observation and assessment of psychotherapeutic competences are central to training, supervision, patient care, quality control, and life‐long practice, structured instruments are used only occasionally. In the current study, an observation‐based tool for the Assessment of Core CBT Skills (ACCS) was translated into German and adapted, and its psychometric properties were pilot evaluated. Competence of therapists‐in‐training was assessed in a random sample of n = 30 videos on cognitive behavioural therapy including patients diagnosed with hypochondriasis. Two of three raters independently assessed the competences demonstrated in the entire, active treatment sessions (n = 60). In our sample, internal consistency was excellent, and interrater reliability was good. Convergent validity (Cognitive Therapy Scale) and discriminant validity (Helping Alliance Questionnaire) were within the expected ranges. The ACCS total score did not significantly predict the reduction of symptoms of hypochondriasis, and a one‐factorial structure of the instrument was found. By providing multiple opportunities for feedback, self‐reflection, and supervision, the ACCS may complement current tools for the assessment of psychotherapeutic competences and importantly support competence‐based training and supervision.     

Psychosocial burden of sickle cell disease on caregivers in a Nigerian setting

In Nigeria, with a high prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD), families bear most of the burden of care for patients with this chronically disabling illness, because there are no national social welfare provisions. To assess the severity of indices of psychosocial burden among relatives of 24 SCD patients in crisis, in comparison with relatives of 57 SCD patients in stable condition. Cross-sectional study, using a burden instrument and Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire. Objective burden indices were significantly higher for SCD in crisis. The financial burden of SCD in crisis was significantly higher than the burden of disruption of family routines. 57.9% of all caregivers experienced little or no difficulty coping with SCD. Relatives with higher educational and occupational attainments (compared with those with lower attainments) experienced significantly lesser financial burden, disruption of family routines, and psychological distress. Compared with a similar study of cancer patients, relatives of patients in SCD crisis perceived similar financial, family routine burdens and psychological distress scores. Compared with US and UK reports, our caregivers were predominantly married and reflected the national range of socioeconomic groups. Global rating of burden was significantly predicted by disruption of family routines and higher age of caregivers. The psychosocial burden of SCD can be significantly reduced by controlling the frequency and duration of crises, as well as providing adequate information and socioeconomic support to families. Hematology staff should be sensitive to the psychosocial dimensions of SCD.     

The Axis-I Dissociative Disorder Comorbidity of Borderline Personality Disorder Among Psychiatric Outpatients

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of dissociative disorders among psychiatric outpatients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). In order to ascertain the extent of the overlap between two diagnostic groups, the overall prevalence of both disorders were evaluated. Two hundred and forty (240) consecutive patients who presented to a university outpatient psychiatry unit were screened using the self-report questionnaire version of the BPD section of Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders (SCID-II), the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ). One hundred and twenty-nine (129) participants who had a score above the cut-off point on at least one of these instruments were evaluated using the interview version of the BPD section of the SCID-II, the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS), and the PTSD module of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID-I). All participants who were diagnosed as having BPD or a dissociative disorder were evaluated then with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders (SCID-D). Twenty-five (25; 10.4%) participants had BPD and 33 participants (13.8%) had dissociative disorder in the final evaluation. Sixteen participants (64.0%) with BPD had the Axis I diagnosis of a dissociative disorder; all six participants (2.5%) with dissociative identity disorder were among them. The findings demonstrate that a significant part of psychiatric outpatients who fit the criteria of BPD have a DSM-IV dissociative disorder on Axis I. The presence of dissociative symptoms as a part of BPD should not lead to overlooking the possibility of a co-occurring dissociative disorder.     

Polymorphism screening and haplotype analysis of the tryptophan hydroxylase gene (TPH1) and association with bipolar affective disorder in Taiwan

Background  

Disturbances in serotonin neurotransmission are implicated in the etiology of many psychiatric disorders, including bipolar affective disorder (BPD). The tryptophan hydroxylase gene (TPH), which codes for the enzyme catalyzing the rate-limiting step in serotonin biosynthetic pathway, is one of the leading candidate genes for psychiatric and behavioral disorders. In a preliminary study, we found that TPH1 intron7 A218C polymorphism was associated with BPD. This study was designed to investigate sequence variants of the TPH1 gene in Taiwanese and to test whether the TPH1 gene is a susceptibility factor for the BPD.     

Validation of the German version of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test

The purpose of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of a German version of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test with groups with and without sleep problems. Three studies were analysed. Data set 1 was based on an initial screening for a sleep training program (n = 393), data set 2 was based on a study to test the test–retest reliability of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (n = 284) and data set 3 was based on a study to examine the influence of competitive sport on sleep (n = 37). Data sets 1 and 2 were used to test internal consistency, factor structure, convergent validity, discriminant validity and test–retest reliability of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test. Content validity was tested using data set 3. Cronbach's alpha of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test was good (α = 0.80) and test–retest reliability was satisfactory (r = 0.72). Overall, the one‐factor model showed the best fit. Furthermore, significant positive correlations between the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test and impaired sleep quality, depression and stress reactivity were in line with the expectations regarding the convergent validity. Subjects with sleep problems had significantly higher scores in the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test than subjects without sleep problems (P < 0.01). Competitive athletes with higher scores in the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test had significantly lower sleep quality (P = 0.01), demonstrating that vulnerability for stress‐induced sleep disturbances accompanies poorer sleep quality in stressful episodes. The findings show that the German version of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test is a reliable and valid questionnaire to assess the vulnerability to stress‐induced sleep disturbances.     

Validation of the Knowledge of Genome Sequencing (KOGS) scale in cancer patients

IntroductionThe Knowledge of Genome Sequencing (KOGS) questionnaire was recently developed to measure knowledge of genomic sequencing (GS), with preliminary psychometric data supporting its reliability and validity. The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the KOGS in a larger sample, and to confirm its utility in a cancer setting.MethodsThe Genetic Cancer Risk in the Young (RisC) study recruits participants with a personal history of cancer, to investigate heritable cancer causes and future cancer risk using germline GS. Participants (n = 261) in a psychosocial substudy of RisC completed a questionnaire after consent to RisC but before GS, including the KOGS, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, the Chew health literacy scale and items assessing demographic and disease variables. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach alpha and correlational analyses were undertaken.ResultsThe CFA testing a single-factor model yielded a good model fit, χ2/df = 2.43, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.97, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.07 and weighted mean root square (WRMR) = 1.03. Factor loadings of all items were above 0.60 and ranged between.66 and.93. The single factor score demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = 0.82). KOGS scores were significantly associated with health literacy (r = 0.23, p < .001), having a university education [t(258) = ?4.53, p < .001] and having a medical or science background [t(259) = ?3.52, p < .001] but not with speaking a language other than English at home, time since diagnosis, previous genetic counselling/testing or intolerance of uncertainty.DiscussionThis study confirmed a single-factor structure for the KOGS, and its reliability and validity in a cancer population. Associations with measures of health literacy and education were significant and positive as expected, supporting the KOG’s construct validity. Previous genetic counselling may not be sufficient to provide specific knowledge of GS.     

Family caregiving in depression: impact on caregivers' daily life, distress, and help seeking

BACKGROUND: Attention to caregiving consequences has been mainly restricted to schizophrenia, although studies suggest that relatives of depressed patients also experience considerable distress. These studies, however, were conducted on small samples or with nonvalidated instruments. In our study, the caregiving consequences of 260 spouses and relatives of depressed patients were assessed with a well-validated 31-item questionnaire, the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (IEQ). METHODS: The IEQ was mailed to spouses and relatives of patients with major depression, dysthymic disorder, or other depressive disorders. Other instruments used were the Ways of Coping Checklist (WCC), a Dutch Social Support Questionnaire, and the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). RESULTS: About 25-50% of caregivers worried about the patient's general health, treatment, safety, and future. They had to urge the patient to undertake activities, or took over tasks. There were relational strains, and they felt burdened, especially when the patient was in an acute phase. Caregivers often felt distressed and had to visit a (mental) health practitioner. Also, children were affected; caregivers reported high levels of difficult behavior, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, less playing, and less attention at school. Caregiving consequences occur less often than in schizophrenia, but the patterns are quite comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Caregiving consequences in depression occur frequently and cause distress in caregivers and patient's children. Attention should be paid to support relatives and spouses of depressed patients. Special attention should be paid to patient's children.     

Caregiving burden and its determinants in Polish caregivers of stroke survivors

Introduction

Despite the growing body of literature on the consequences of providing non-professional care to stroke survivors, the determinants of caregiving burden are still not fully recognized. Identification of significant determinants can facilitate caregiver intervention programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of burden borne by caregivers of stroke patients and to identify the most important determinants of burden at 6 months after hospitalization.

Material and methods

Data were collected from 150 pairs of stroke patients/caregivers. Caregiver burden was assessed on the Caregiver Burden scale (CB). Several characteristics were measured as potential predictors of the burden. Special attention was paid to the caregiver''s sense of coherence (SOC) and anxiety. Regression analysis was employed to test the hypothesized relationships between these variables and the burden.

Results

Forty-seven percentage of the caregivers reported a substantial burden (severe or moderate). Caregiver SOC (p < 0.001), anxiety (p < 0.001) and the patients’ functional status (p < 0.001) were the most important predictors of the overall burden and the most consistent predictors of the majority of aspects included in the CB scale. Caregiver health, patient''s gender, time spent caregiving and social support were also factors related to the burden. The identified predictors explained 67% of the variance in the overall burden.

Conclusions

Clinicians and other professionals should focus on the coping abilities of caregivers, their emotional state and the level of patients’ dependency, as these are the vital and modifiable factors affecting caregiver burden following stroke.     

The psychometric characteristics of the traumatic experiences checklist (TEC): first findings among psychiatric outpatients

The objective of the study was to assess the reliability and validity of a retrospective self‐report measure of potential traumatic experiences among psychiatric outpatients. The range of evaluated experiences includes emotional neglect and abuse. Participants completed the Traumatic Experiences Checklist (TEC) (N = 153), a self‐report trauma questionnaire of known psychometric qualities, i.e. the Stressful Life Experiences Questionnaire (SLESQ), and self‐report measures of somatoform dissociation (SDQ‐20), psychoform dissociation (DES). A majority (N = 115) completed the TEC twice, and also completed a measure of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSD‐ss). The TEC's internal consistency and test–retest reliability were good, and the TEC strongly correlated with the SLESQ. Associations between the TEC and the PTSD‐ss, DES, and SDQ‐20 supported the criterion‐related validity of the TEC. The internal consistency, test–retest reliability and criterion‐related validity of TEC trauma area presence and severity scores were also satisfactory. Preliminary findings suggest that the psychometric characteristics of the TEC are good. Future study of the TEC should include larger samples of psychiatric patients, as well as non‐clinical groups. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.