The role of affect-driven impulsivity in gambling cognitions: a convenience-sample study with a Spanish version of the Gambling-Related Cognitions Scale

Background and aims: abnormal cognitions are among the most salient domain-specific features of gambling disorder. The aims of this study were: (a) to examine and validate a Spanish version of the Gambling-Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS; Raylu & Oei, 2004) and (b) to examine associations between cognitive distortion levels, impulsivity, and gambling behavior. Methods: this study first recruited a convenience sample of 500 adults who had gambled during the previous year. Participants were assessed using the Spanish version of GRCS (GRCS-S) questionnaire, the UPPS-P impulsivity questionnaire, measures of gambling behavior, and potentially relevant confounders. Robust confirmatory factor analysis methods on half the sample were used to select the best models from a hypothesis-driven set. The best solutions were validated on the other half, and the resulting factors were later correlated with impulsivity dimensions (in the whole n = 500 factor analysis sample) and clinically relevant gambling indices (in a separate convenience sample of 137 disordered and non-disordered gamblers; validity sample). Results: this study supports the original five-factor model, suggests an alternative four-factor solution, and confirms the psychometric soundness of the GRCS-S. Importantly, cognitive distortions consistently correlated with affect-or motivation-driven aspects of impulsivity (urgency and sensation seeking), but not with cognitive impulsivity (lack of premeditation and lack of perseverance). Discussion and conclusions: our findings suggest that the GRCS-S is a valid and reliable instrument to identify gambling cognitions in Spanish samples. Our results expand upon previous research signaling specific associations between gambling-related distortions and affect-driven impulsivity in line with models of motivated reasoning

Cognitive and Biochemical Processes in Depressed Adult Outpatients: a Test of the Circular Process Model

The circular process model is a psychobiological model of depression, in which it is postulated that catecholamines and negative cognitions interact to influence depression. Since its publication, there have been no empirical tests to support or refute the model. This study tested the model in 92 depressed adult outpatients with non-bipolar non-psychotic depression. There were no significant bivariate correlations among the biochemical and cognitive measures. However, the interactive model was supported by results of two out of three hierarchical regression analyses, in which the biochemical-by-cognitive interactive terms significantly predicted depression after the main effects of each variable were accounted for. These findings show sufficient evidence in support of the Circular Process Model to warrant further testing over the treatment period

Correlates of Premenstrual Dysphoria in Help-seeking Women

Comparisons were made between the premenstrual changes reported by nontreatment-seekers (NTS) (n = 32) and those of treatment-seekers (TS) (n = 52). The Premenstrual Assessment Form Luteal Phase and Follicular Phase versions were completed and the Beck Depression Inventory, the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were completed at both the luteal and follicular phases. Prospective daily ratings were made for two treatment cycles on the Daily Ratings Form and TS were screened for a mood-disorder history. Using the commonly cited 30% decrease in dysphoric levels from the pre- to postmenstrual phases as the criterion of prospective confirmation, women with prospectively confirmed dysphoria (PMD +) were not significantly more symptomatic than those without prospective dysphoric confirmation (PMD -). However, TS were more symptomatic than NTS on measures of depression, anxiety and frequency of negative automatic thoughts but not on mood behaviour and physical changes reflected in the PAF scales. No demographic differences were found between TS and NTS. Results did not support the issue of requiring `confirmation' of self-reports within a help-seeking group or the use of the 30% criterion in particular. Findings further suggest that the 95-item PAF may be inadequate in differentiating TS from others

perangi bayangan kelam depresi : upaya mengelola depresi dengan Cognitive Behaviour Therapy(CBT)

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Empirical investigations of the MMPI-2 gender-masculine and gender-feminine scales

The present study examined the validity of two Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) scales - Gender Masculine (GM) and Gender Feminine (GF) - in discriminating between the gender types - Masculine (High GM/Low GF); Feminine (Low GM/High GF); Androgynous (High GM/High GF) and Undifferentiated (Low GM/Low GF), in cross-national clinical samples. The study consisted of 70 Singaporean and 107 Australian psychiatric patients. Significant pairwise comparisons were found for Undifferentiated-Stereotyped Masculinity, Undifferentiated-Androgynous, Stereotyped Femininity-Stereotyped Masculinity, and Stereotyped Femininity-Androgynous on both measures of psychological well-being for both countries, but not for comparisons between the Stereotyped Masculinity-Androgynous and Undifferentiated-Stereotyped Femininity categories. Independent dimensions of masculinity and femininity - the GM and GF scales - were, therefore, found to distinguish between two of the four sex-type categories on measures of psychological well-being. The current findings indicate that the GM and GF scales seem effective in differentiating between Masculine and Feminine traits, however they seem less effective in differentiating between the four gender types

Exploratory and confirmatory factor validation and psychometric properties of the automatic thoughts questionnaire for Malays (ATQ-Malay) in Malaysia

Objectives: To examine the factor structure of the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Malay and report its validity and reliability in Malaysia. Participants and Methods: One thousand and ninety patients from 4 different samples completed the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Malay, as well as additional questionnaires which measured mood, cognition, and quality of life. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 2-factor solution and accounted for 51% of the total variance, and a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the 2-factor solution was acceptable for the data. The 2 factors appeared to describe negative self-concept/negative expectation and personal maladjustment. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.83 to 0.93. Evidence was also found to support the concurrent and discriminant validity of the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Malay. Conclusions: This report shows that the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Malay is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring negative automatic thoughts in the Malay population

MMPI-2 profiles of Australian and Singaporean psychiatric patients

The use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) as a useful measure of psychopathology has been shown in extensive studies. However, there is limited research on the ability of the MMPI-2 to measure differences across diverse cultures. This study aims to extend the research on Caucasian-Chinese MMPI profiles to the countries of Singapore and Australia by examining cross-nation variations. Participants were recruited from psychiatric outpatient clinics and consisted of 70 and 107 patients from Singapore and Australia, respectively. It was predicted that similarities across the two cultures would be observable, with differences reflected on specific scales. The overall findings indicate that MMPI-2 profile comparisons are comparable between Australian and Singaporean subjects, with considerably more similarities than differences. However, there are significant differences on specific MMPI-2 subscales including the lie, hypochondriasis, Addiction Potential Scale, overcontrolled hostility, fears, health concerns and negative treatment indicators. It is suggested that the differences are a reflection of cultural and ethnic distinctions specific to each country, whereas the commonalities between the two nations indicate comparable overall profiles. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved