Analyzing data from memory tasks - comparison of ANOVA, logistic regression and mixed logit model

We compared three statistical analyses over binary outcomes. As applying ANOVA over proportions violates at least two classical assumptions of linear models, two alternatives are described: the binary logistic regression and the mixed logit model. Firstly, we compared the effects obtained by the three methods over the same data from a previous memory research. All three methods gave similar results: the effects of the tasks and the number of sensory modalities were observed, but not their interaction. Secondly, by using the bootstrap estimates of the parameters, the efficacy of each method was explored. As predicted, the bootstrap parameter estimates of the ANOVA had large bias and standard errors, and consequently wide confidence intervals. On the other hand, the bootstrap parameter estimates of the binary logistic regression and the mixed logit models were similar - both had low bias and standard errors and narrow confidence intervals

Serbian adaptation of the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS): Its facets and second-order structure

Although the PANAS is widely used in affect research there are some controversies regarding its structure. Two related studies were reported providing evidence that a Serbian adaptation of the PANAS represents a valid and reliable measure of self-reported affect. Study 1 (N = 455), showed that its psychometric properties and correlates obtained in a Serbian sample are highly comparable to those reported in the American validation study. Additionally, a hierarchical structure of specific affects within the PANAS was explored via a second-order confirmatory analysis. Results showed that Joviality, Self-Assurance, and Attentiveness can be regarded as lower-order factors of Positive Affect, whereas Fear, Self- Disgust, and Hostility seem to represent lower-order factors of Negative Affect. Study 2 (N = 87) demonstrated differential momentary activations of the identified lower-order factors in the real-life situation of taking an exam. The construct validity of the specific subscales was supported. Among the subscales, Self-Disgust had inadequate psychometric properties. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 179006

Corporate social responsibility as a part of corporate public relations in Serbia

Besides the media, the web presentations of the companies are one of the possible and widely applied means for communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR). For efficient CSR communication, good planning of the massages that will be presented to the public is of particular importance. It is additionally emphasized in the countries in the transition period where the social environment is burdened with numerous problems that result in pre­formed public mistrust towards companies. The extent and the results of public cognition of the company and creation of its identity and image are highly dependent from content of the web presentation but also of the manner of presentation and positioning of specific contents. Application of adequate slogans, can also highly contribute to the visibility of specific information. In order to review the way in which companies in Serbia present their CSR motives and activities, the web pages of leading companies in Serbia from the agro-business, public and financial sectors were analyzed and the practice of presentation of CSR to the public was reviewed. The similarities and differences in approach to CSR communication among analyzed sectors are outlined in the research results

Relations among positive and negative affect, dysphoria and anxiety1

According to Tellegen et al.'s Two-factor model, commonalities between depression and anxiety are due to their shared variance with Negative affect (NA), a broad dimension of general distress. Low Positive affect (PA), a dimension of pleasurable emotions, is believed to be uniquely related to depression. In this study, we tested these basic assumptions. A sample of 141 students at the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad filled out a state measure of PA, NA, and basic emotions (SIAB-PANAS), a depression scale (BDI-II), and a state anxiety scale (STAI-S). Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to estimate the unique contributions of PA, NA, and basic emotions in the prediction of dysphoria and anxiety. The hypothesis that NA is a general dimension related to both dysphoria and anxiety was supported. Sadness and fear added incrementally to the prediction of both criteria. However, contrary to our hypothesis, PA was related to both dysphoria and anxiety. Joviality, attentiveness, and self-assurance were better predictors of anxiety than dysphoria. Methodological and clinical implications of the results were discussed

DOI:10.2298/PSI0904491T THE ROLE OF TRAIT ANXIETY IN INDUCTION OF STATE ANXIETY 1

The reported study had the following goals: to determine psychometric characteristics of a new instrument purpoting to measure trait anxiety – AT29, to explore the effectiveness of a mood induction procedure in eliciting state anxiety, and to determine the role of trait anxiety, as measured by AT29, in responding to mood induction. AT29 was administered as a part of a larger test battery to 232 psychology students during a mass testing session. After three weeks, 90 students were randomly selected to participate in the second, experimental phase of the study. These selected participants were randomly assigned to two groups: experimental (mood-induction group) in which participants watched a video clip with a fear-inducing content and control group in which participants watched a neutral video clip of the same duration as the fear-inducing clip. State anxiety was measured in both groups using the STAI-S questionnaire right before and after mood induction. It was demonstrated that there is a significant association between trait anxiety as measured by AT29 and state anxiety obtained at both measurement occasionsbefor

Neurocognitive profile of HIV-positive adults on combined antiretroviral therapy: A single-centre study in Serbia

<p>The advent of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has prolonged the life expectancy of HIV + individuals and decreased the incidence of HIV-associated dementia. However, milder forms of neurocognitive impairment remain common and are often associated with poor daily functioning and lower medication adherence. This paper presents a research aimed at exploring the cognitive status differences between HIV + subjects (<i>N</i> = 39) on cART therapy and a group of demographically comparable healthy subjects (<i>N</i> = 39) in Serbia. The significance of differences between the HIV + group and the healthy control group in performance in six cognitive domains was tested using the multivariate analysis of variance. Results showed a lower performance of the HIV + group in the domains of attention/working memory, and learning. HIV-related clinical variables were not significantly associated with cognitive performance. An older age in HIV + patients was significantly related to a lower performance in all six cognitive domains, as opposed to healthy subjects, implying a synergistic interaction between HIV and aging, resulting in accentuated cognitive difficulties. Our findings suggest that even with the absence of a subjective experience of cognitive deficits and with a good basic control of the illness, a certain degree of cognitive deficit can be observed in the tested group.</p