Three-mode factor analysis of emblematic gesture and body manipulation viewed from the dorsal perspective

This paper focuses on emblematic gesture and manipulation of body movements. Subjects viewed from the dorsal perspective the body movements displayed by two actors/actresses. These movements depicted the ten emotions of affection, joy, surprise, fear, sadness, disgust, anticipation, anger, contempt and acceptance. Three-mode factor analyses were applied to the data. Three factors were found in the emotion-mode, three in the scene-mode, and two factors in the subjects-mode. The emotion-mode and scene-mode factors were found to correspond to a high degree. Factor I was interpreted as an acceptance dimension, including affection, joy, anticipation and acceptance. The typical emblematic gestures were displayed with a standing posture and advanced movement. Factor II was interpreted as an avoidance dimension, including surprise, fear and sadness. The typical emblematic gestures were divided into two movements; regressive and "shrinking down". In addition, self-attached manipulations were typical expressions of sadness. Factor III was interpreted as a rejection dimension, including disgust, anger and contempt. Considerable body manipulation was used to express these emotional categories. Core-matrix and subjects' factor scores were correlated with a response tendency in terms of subjects' evaluations rather than their accuracy of judgment.     

Perceived causes of psychological problems: An exploratory study

This study explored the major categories of causal explanations used by naive observers to account for psychological problems. A pool of items describing potential causes psychological problems was generated using psychiatric and psychological theory and research and pilot work. Three hundred and ninety-four subjects rated each cause. The results were factor analyzed and five interpretable factors resulted: Factor I, Personal Characteristics: Factor II, Organic Causes; Factor III, Natural Disasters; Factor IV, Marital Crises; and Factor V, Childhood Family Conditions. It was suggested that these five dimensions can be useful in further study of the perceived causes of psychological disorders.     

Factor analysis and matrix invariance of the HRNB-C category test.

This study examined the factorial invariance of the six individual Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery for Older Children (HRNB-C) Category subtests. The test scores for two large samples of learning disabled children were factor analyzed. A three-factor solution emerged for each group with a clear pattern of variable loadings. Category subtests IV and V load on Factor 1, subtests III and VI on Factor 2, and subtests I and II on Factor 3. Variable loadings were not only of similar pattern, but also magnitude and sign for both samples. Moreover, comparison statistics indicate an excellent fit between the two factor matrices. Results support the conclusion that the HRNB-C Category Test measures more than a single underlying construct.     

Determinants of poor adherence in hypertensive patients: development and validation of the "Maastricht Utrecht Adherence in Hypertension (MUAH)-questionnaire"

OBJECTIVES: (1) To help identify patients with poor adherence and (2) to identify potential reasons that impede or facilitate adherence. METHODS: Seventeen patients who used antihypertensive drugs participated in semi-standardized interviews. Interviews were recorded and reviewed by two investigators. Forty-four items were selected. An exploratory factor analysis was performed. Convergent validity was assessed by evaluating the association between sum scores on the identified subscales and three other adherence measures: (1) the Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ), (2) pharmacy refill records and (3) electronic monitoring. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the magnitude of associations. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-five (90%) patients completed the questionnaire. Factor analysis resulted in a four-factor solution, explaining 30% of cumulative variance among respondents. The factors (scales) were labeled: positive attitude towards health care and medication (I), lack of discipline (II), aversion towards medication (III) and active coping with health problems (IV). Chronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.75, 0.80, 0.63 and 0.76 for scales I, II, III and IV, respectively. Convergent validity was partly supported by statistically significant associations that were found between sum scores of subscales 1 and II and the BMQ and electronic monitoring, respectively. CONCLUSION: The MUAH-questionnaire has excellent psychometric properties and may be useful to identify factors that impede or facilitate adherence. However, it is not clear to what extent the questionnaire measures actual adherence. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Validation of the MUAH-questionnaire in other studies is needed.     

Factor analysis of the items of the state-trait anxiety inventory

The present investigation was designed to determine by factor analysis the nature of the items that comprise the A-State and A-Trait scales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Three factors were identified. Factor I was defined exclusively by items from the A-State scale. The underlying dimension tapped by the scale was interpreted as state anxiety (how one feels at a particular moment in time); support thus was provided for Spielberger's A-State concept. Items from the A-Trait scale, however, identified two separate factors, neither of which was clearly consonant with Spielberger's concept of A-Trait. Factor II appeared to tap state anxiety according to how the individual generally feels or a typical level of state anxiety as remembered over an indefiniteperiod of time. Factor III was interpreted as a meamre of neuroticism.     

Changes in the palmar sweat index during mental arithmetic.

This study investigated the influence of activation on the number of active sweat glands (palmar sweat index, PSI), as assessed by the plastic impression method. Subjects were 50 male students, assigned to two groups. The experiment involved 5 phases: an initial adaptation for 6 min in both groups (Phase I), 3 relaxation periods for 10 min (Phases II, IV and V in Group 1, Phases II, III and V in Group 2), and 10 min of mental arithmetic (Phase III in Group 1, Phase IV in Group 2). Prints were taken every 2.5 min from the left middle and forefinger, and skin conductance level (SCL), number of spontaneous fluctuations (SF) and heart rate (HR) were recorded for the corresponding intervals. PSI rose significantly during activation conditions and decreased afterwards. Accordingly, during Phase III values were higher in Group 1, whereas during Phase IV they were higher in Group 2. Decrease of PSI during the first measurements indicated that subjects probably react to the assessment procedure itself and that interpretable baseline values can only be obtained after several initial assessments. Correlations between PSI and electrodermal variables proved to be high within subjects, whereas correlations across subjects were lower.     

Changes in electromyographically recorded human monosynaptic reflex in relation to hypnotic susceptibility and hypnosis

The aim of the present experiment was to study how hypnotic susceptibility and hypnosis affect motoneuron excitability. In a first trial, human subjects were selected according to their hypnotic susceptibility. In a second trial, the Hoffmann (H) reflex amplitude of the soleus muscle was studied in 3 groups: (1) highly susceptible subjects during hypnosis with standardized suggestions of simple relaxation, anesthesia, analgesia and paralysis (group I), (2) highly susceptible subjects (group II), and (3) non-susceptible subjects (group III) during long-lasting control conditions. Surface Ag/AgCl electrodes were used to stimulate the posterior tibial nerve using a constant current stimulator and to record the soleus EMG. Analysis of variance was performed on the data. The linear correlation coefficient within groups was evaluated. The H reflex amplitude decreased significantly during the recording session in groups I and II and there was no change in group III. In group I the effect of different suggestions could not be distinguished from the effect of hypnotic relaxation. The decrements in H amplitude did not differ between groups I and II, suggesting that the effect was related to personality traits rather than hypnotic induction.     

The effects of suggestibility on relaxation

Thirty-two college student subjects were selected on the basis of scores on the Creative Imagination Scale. Eight of the high suggestibility subjects were assigned randomly to each training mode, progressive relaxation (PR) and suggestions of relaxation (SR). The 16 low suggestibility subjects were similarly assigned, which resulted in a 2 × 2 factorial design with one repeated measure, a pre-post relaxation scale that yields a total score and three subscale scores. A significant pre-post relaxation effect emerged. Main effects were found both for suggestibility and mode of training. High suggestibility subjects performed significantly better regardless of the training mode. PR yielded significantly higher relaxation scores than did SR. An interaction between suggestibility and training mode occurred on the cognitive factor scale; subjects who scored low on suggestibility reported relaxing significantly better when the training mode was PR.     

Symptom components of standard depression scales and past suicidal behavior

BACKGROUND: Global severity on depression scales may obscure associations between specific symptoms and suicidal behavior. METHODS: We studied 298 persons with major depressive disorder. Factor analysis of the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to compare symptom clusters between past suicide attempters and non-attempters. RESULTS: Factor analyses extracted five HDRS and three BDI factors. Suicide attempters had significantly lower scores on an HDRS anxiety factor and higher scores on a BDI self-blame factor. The factor scores correlated with total number of suicide attempts and with known risk factors for suicidal behavior. LIMITATIONS: The differences in factor scores between suicide attempters and non-attempters were significant but modest and may be most relevant in suggesting areas for further clinical studies. Structured diagnostic interviews in this study may have limited the detection of Bipolar II or milder bipolar spectrum disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Depressed suicide attempters exhibit comparably severe mood and neuro-vegetative symptoms, but less anxiety and more intense self-blame than non-attempters. This clinical profile may help guide studies of biological correlates and of treatments to reduce suicide risk.     

Determinants of poor adherence in hypertensive patients: Development and validation of the “Maastricht Utrecht Adherence in Hypertension (MUAH)-questionnaire”

Objectives(1) To help identify patients with poor adherence and (2) to identify potential reasons that impede or facilitate adherence.MethodsSeventeen patients who used antihypertensive drugs participated in semi-standardized interviews. Interviews were recorded and reviewed by two investigators. Forty-four items were selected. An exploratory factor analysis was performed. Convergent validity was assessed by evaluating the association between sum scores on the identified subscales and three other adherence measures: (1) the Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ), (2) pharmacy refill records and (3) electronic monitoring. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the magnitude of associations.ResultsTwo hundred and fifty-five (90%) patients completed the questionnaire. Factor analysis resulted in a four-factor solution, explaining 30% of cumulative variance among respondents. The factors (scales) were labeled: positive attitude towards health care and medication (I), lack of discipline (II), aversion towards medication (III) and active coping with health problems (IV). Chronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.75, 0.80, 0.63 and 0.76 for scales I, II, III and IV, respectively. Convergent validity was partly supported by statistically significant associations that were found between sum scores of subscales 1 and II and the BMQ and electronic monitoring, respectively.ConclusionThe MUAH-questionnaire has excellent psychometric properties and may be useful to identify factors that impede or facilitate adherence. However, it is not clear to what extent the questionnaire measures actual adherence.Practice implicationsValidation of the MUAH-questionnaire in other studies is needed.     

Determining readiness for predoctoral internship training: the process of developing a screening measure

The purpose of this study was to illustrate the development of a screening measure to assess readiness for psychology internship training. The screening measure was comprised 13 items rated on a 4-point scale. Two program faculty members reviewed the application of each candidate independently. Psychologists were arbitrarily assigned to belong to reviewer group 1 or 2. Data from group 1 were subjected to exploratory factor analysis; data from group 2 were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis. Two factors were identified and confirmed: Factor I comprised 6 items referring to core competencies, and Factor II comprised 4 items referring to relevant background experiences. Correlations between raters at the factor and item level generally were in the moderate range. This study illustrates the process of developing a screening measure to help determine readiness for internship training.     

Effects of relaxation on the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP)

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions to the experimental allergen diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP) were measured in four groups, which either trained (+) or did not train in relaxation (−) during the sensitization and/or the challenge phase. All groups consisted of high and low hypnotic susceptible subjects. While there were no differences in erythema, the mean induration of the group which trained in relaxation in both the sensitization and the challenge phase (+/+) was significantly greater than that of the group which trained in relaxation in the challenge phase only (−/+). Significant correlations were found between induration and hypnotic susceptibility scores, and between induration and degree of perceived relaxation during challenge. High hypnotic susceptible subjects experienced a higher degree of perceived relaxation and exhibited greater indurative and erythematous DTH reactions to DCP than low hypnotic susceptible subjects in all four experimental conditions. Though the mediating mechanisms remain unclear, our results suggest that relaxation may affect the DTH reaction, and support previous findings of higher psychophysiologic reactivity of high hypnotic susceptible subjects.     

Autonomic nervous system dysfunction and their relationship with disease severity in children with atopic asthma

The involvement of autonomic imbalance has been reported in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the clinical severity of childhood asthma with autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction and to define whether the severity of asthma correlates with ANS activity. In this case-control study, we evaluated the ANS activity by testing heart rate variability (HRV) and sympathetic skin response (SRR) in 77 asthmatic children, age 7-12 yrs, who had no co-morbidity and compared them with 40 gender- and age-matched control subjects. According to the severity of their asthma, study subjects were further divided into three groups: I (mild asthmatics), II (moderate asthmatics), and III (severe asthmatics). Inter-group ANS scale scores differed significantly (p<0.01) between Groups I and III and between Groups II and III. Combined use of HRV and SSR provides a higher degree of sensitivity for assessing disease severity in cases of pediatric asthma.     

Aggression in general-hospital patients.

The Buss-Durkee Inventory (BDI) rating for measuring aggression was performed on 125 consecutive female patients admitted to a general hospital. The test scores of different diagnostic groups were all on a intermediate level, and with the exception of slightly lower scores in patients with blood disorders, only few differences statistical significance were observed. The factor analysis of the test results revealed three factors: in addition to aggression factor (I) and hostility factor (II) a factor called remorse factor (III) was identified. The patient groups divided according to their medical diagnoses showed no differences with regard to these factors. The variance of factor scores could not be explained by such background variables as social class, marital status or domicile. There was, however, a highly significant negative correlation (-0.33) between age and the aggression factor. Finally, the concept of suppressed aggression and hostility and the role of aggression dynamics in the development of organic illness is discussed.     

Ecology of juvenile delinquency in metropolitan sydney

The study was concerned with ecology of juvenile delinquency in metropolitan Sydney. Principal components analysis of ecological correlations of 25 demographic variables, sampled in 39 local government areas, showed two major factors; these accounted for 39% and 23% of the total variance, and for 51% and 32% of the variance of juvenile delinquency, respectively. Factor I was designated individual-social-economic alienation (broken marriages, psychiatric illness, alcoholism, drug abuse, infant mortality, immigrant minorities, unemployment, females in the work force, low house and car ownership, living in apartments). Factor II was designated low socio-educational status (low education, crowding in dwellings, high birth rate, high proportion of children, mental retardation, perinatal mortality, females not working, living in houses, unemployment); areas identified with this factor were remote from the city proper and had many Housing Commission developments. The factorial identity of the 39 local government areas was established by factor scores to determine the type of social action best suited to each area. The clustering of factor scores on a scattergram indicated the natural ecological areas of the metropolis. It was postulated that in areas scoring high on Factor I social psychiatry could provide a suitable form of approach not only to the problem of delinquency but also to some of the other problems of individual and social pathology. For areas scoring high on Factor II, where delinquency seems to be a product of culture rather than expression of social pathology, it was postulated that the approach should be based on social controls, youth leadership, education, and the provision of suitable outlets for the frustrations of juveniles. Also other problems of the two types of area were discussed, and suitable forms of social action and services were suggested.     

The role of beta-catenin, TGF beta 3, NGF2, FGF2, IGFR2, and BMP4 in the pathogenesis of mesenteric sclerosis and angiopathy in midgut carcinoids

A subset of midgut carcinoids (MCs) result in mesenteric angiopathy (MA) and bowel infarction as a consequence of vascular compression caused by extensive mesenteric sclerosis (MS). The goal of this study was to determine whether the level of expression of several fibrosing-related growth factors was related to the finding of MA and/or MS in MCs. Eighteen cases of MC, 6 with both extensive MS and MA (group I), 5 with extensive MS only (group II), and 7 with ordinary MS only (group III), were analyzed for immunoexpression of beta-catenin, transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF beta 2), nerve growth factor 2 (NGF2), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), insulin growth factor receptor (IGFR), and bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections. Standard immunohistochemical technique was used following antigen retrieval. Immunostaining was scored semiquantitively as the product of the percentage and intensity (0 to 2+) of the immunostaining, giving a possible range of 0 to 200. One-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney nonparametric analyses were used for statistical analysis. The mean scores of immunoreactivity of each factor in groups I, II, and III were as follows: 135, 174, and 147 for beta-catenin (cytoplasmic reactivity only); 106, 112, and 92 for TGF beta 3; 1.67, 32, and 36 for NGF-2; 2.5, 48, and 55 for FGF-2; 19, 112, and 66 for IGFR2; 140, 45, and 52 for BMP4. There were significant differences in NGF-2 immunoreactivity between groups I and III (P = 0.0023) and in BMP4 immunoreactivity between groups I and II (P = 0.017) and groups I and III (P = 0.022). All MCs expressed high levels of membranous beta-catenin, moderate levels of TGF beta 3 and IGFR2, and low levels of FGF-2, with no significant differences seen among the groups. MCs with prominent MS and MA (group I) expressed significantly higher BMP4 than those in groups II and III, suggesting a potential role of BMP4 in the pathogenesis of MA. The level of NGF-2 expression was significantly lower in group I than in group III, possibly indicating abnormal angiogenesis in the formation of angiopathy.     

Relation of olfactory EEG to behavior: factor analysis

Rabbits were conditioned to lick (CR+) in response to one odor (CS+); another odor (CS-) served as a discriminative control (CR-). Electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded from arrays of 64 electrodes on the olfactory bulb in three stages, each with six sessions: in Stage I, odors A+ and B-; in Stage II, odors C+ and B-; and in Stage III, odors C+ and A-. Spatial EEG amplitude patterns were measured for multiple control (C), CS+, and CS- EEG bursts in each trial. Data were transformed via factor analysis and expressed by factor scores as spatial patterns specified by factor loadings. In discriminant analysis of the factor scores, we correctly classified the C and CS bursts on the average by 65-80% from all trials for each subject and session and by 75-90% for trials with correct CRs. The latter was confirmed with a stepwise linear discriminant analysis of the original 64-variable data. Factor patterns were relatively invariant within but changed between stages. The results implied that stable spatial patterns of bulbar activity emerged in respect to CSs under reinforcement and persisted until the stimulus-response contingencies were changed.     

Thrombophilic factors in divers with undeserved decompression sickness

In divers with a vascular disease in decompression sickness, who have not committed any technical error, thrombophilic risk factors were sought. Six cases of confirmed divers, without diving technical error, were investigated. Thrombophilic screening included proteins C, S, antithrombin III, and factor VIII assays, and circulating antibodies, Factor V Leiden, and mutation G20210A mutation in Factor II gene research. Total plasma homocysteine (Hcy), an atherosclerosis factor, even when slightly increased, nutitional factors: folate and vitamins B12 and B6, the cofactors of its metabolism, and inversely correlated with Hcy values, were assayed, and subjects were genotyped for mutation C677T in the MTHFR gene. RESULTS: In five divers, Hcy values were moderately increased, and in all the six, folate and/or B12 values were decreased. Three of them showed a genotype TT (mutation C677T), two, the genotype CT, and the sixth, an heterozygous Factor V Leiden. In these divers, a predisposition for vascular diseases, was detected, which was partially curable.     

The revised 56-item CRPBI as a research instrument: Reliability and factor structure

The utility of the revised 56-item Child's Report of Parental Behavior Inventory (CRPBI), an instrument less cumbersome than the 260-item original, was examined. Study I found the instrument to be highly reliable at 1-week and 5-week retest intervals. Study II found the factor structure of the revision similar to that of the original, with Factor III somewhat less stable than the other two factors. It was concluded that, in general, the 56-item CRPBI appeared to stand up well as a research instrument.     

Development of the Positive Automatic Thoughts List (PAL)

The present study developed and evaluated the Positive Automatic Thoughts List (PAL) to explore the roles and function of self-talk in a Japanese population in positive situations. In Study 1, 22 items were chosen to construct the PAL. Five factors were identified, I . Expressions of Positive Emotion, II. Positive Expectations of Future and Self, III. Positive Self-Evaluation, IV. Having Social Support, and V. Hope for Maintaining Positive Mood. All these factors had high degrees of internal consistency. Factors I and V have never been identified in previous studies, these factors may characterized Japanese positive automatic thoughts. In Study 2, the concurrent validity of the PAL was examined. The results showed that the PAL total scores were significantly correlated with the Self-rating Depression Scale (r= -.29) and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Revised (Positive: r=.46, Negative: r= -.16). Study 3 confirmed the clinical validity of the PAL, discriminating between healthy undergraduates and depressed outpatients. We discussed that Factor I could be closely related to the increase of positive affect and to the maintenance of depressive states.