The variable results of positive-negative research with schizophrenics underscore the importance of well-characterized, standardized measurement techniques. We report on the development and initial standardization of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for typological and dimensional assessment. Based on two established psychiatric rating systems, the 30-item PANSS was conceived as an operationalized, drug-sensitive instrument that provides balanced representation of positive and negative symptoms and gauges their relationship to one another and to global psychopathology. It thus constitutes four scales measuring positive and negative syndromes, their differential, and general severity of illness. Study of 101 schizophrenics found the four scales to be normally distributed and supported their reliability and stability. Positive and negative scores were inversely correlated once their common association with general psychopathology was extracted, suggesting that they represent mutually exclusive constructs. Review of five studies involving the PANSS provided evidence of its criterion-related validity with antecedent, genealogical, and concurrent measures, its predictive validity, its drug sensitivity, and its utility for both typological and dimensional assessment.

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The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for Schizophrenia

Adolescent resilience research differs from risk research by focusing on the assets and resources that enable some adolescents to overcome the negative effects of risk exposure. We discuss three models of resilience-the compensatory, protective, and challenge models-and describe how resilience differs from related concepts. We describe issues and limitations related to resilience and provide an overview of recent resilience research related to adolescent substance use, violent behavior, and sexual risk behavior. We then discuss implications that resilience research has for intervention and describe some resilience-based interventions.

/pdf/adolescent-resilience-a-framework-for-understanding-healthy-tmidvkxoxc.pdf

ADOLESCENT RESILIENCE: A Framework for Understanding Healthy Development in the Face of Risk

Depression assumes many masks in general medical practice Thus, diagnosis is often difficult and may be missed To help identify the depressed patient, the physician can use a simple 13 item questionnaire that the patient can complete in about five minutes Although the physician may have to probe further for a more precise evaluation of the level of depression, the questionnaire can indicate probable severity

Screening Depressed Patients in Family Practice: A Rapid Technic

https://cris.maastrichtuniversity.nl/ws/files/64205713/viechtbauer_2011_the_relationship_between_neurocognition_and.pdf

The relationship between neurocognition and social cognition with functional outcomes in schizophrenia: a meta-analysis.

Generalized Linear Models (2nd ed.)

There is growing interest in deficit symptoms in studies of the course and treatment response of schizophrenia. However, existing clinical assessment instruments focus primarily on productive symptoms. The authors describe the Quality of Life Scale (QLS), a 21-item scale based on a semistructured interview designed to assess deficit symptoms and thereby fill an important gap in the range of instruments now available. Data regarding reliability and training in the use of the QLS are presented. A factor analysis of the items yields results compatible with the conceptual model on which the scale is based. The factor analysis was also performed separately by sex and was fundamentally similar for men and women.

/pdf/the-quality-of-life-scale-an-instrument-for-rating-the-h4e3tojel6.pdf

The Quality of Life Scale: An Instrument for Rating the Schizophrenic Deficit Syndrome

The authors report on the outcome of treatment of 116 outpatients with chronic schizophrenia who were assigned to a 2-year, single-blind course of treatment with either targeted or continuous medication. These patients were not restricted to those who were good candidates for a medication reduction strategy. Continuous medication was superior to targeted medication in preventing decompensations and hospitalizations and in extent of employment at 2 years. Other measures of psychopathology and functioning at 1 and 2 years did not differentiate the two groups of patients. The targeted approach achieved a substantial reduction in total medication through a reduction in the number of days of medication administration.

Continuous versus targeted medication in schizophrenic outpatients: outcome results.

Recent research conducted by independent investigators concerning the relationship between crime and narcotic (primarily heroin) addiction has revealed a remarkable degree of consistency of findings across studies. The major conclusion supported by the majority of these studies is that narcotic addicts commit a vast amount of crime and that much of this is directly related to the need to purchase drugs. A large proportion of the crimes committed does not consist merely of drug sales or possession, but involves other criminal behaviors including serious crimes. The strongest evidence of a causal relationship between narcotic drug use and crime is derived from longitudinal studies in which the amount of crime committed during periods of active addiction far exceeds that committed during periods of nonaddiction. Much of this crime goes unreported, although addicts, under conditions of strict confidentiality, have provided information that permits realistic estimates of criminal activity. Use of this methodology has permitted the identification of different types of addicts, especially with respect to the amounts and types of crimes in which they are engaged. The implication of these findings is that although addicts as a group commit a great amount of crime, they cannot be regarded as a homogeneous class. Some addicts commit many crimes, regardless of current addiction status, whereas others commit relatively few, and these are obviously related to their need to purchase drugs. There is a discernible impact of treatment on narcotic drug use and criminality. Although the relationships between addict characteristics and treatment response have yet to be fully determined, extensive prior criminal involvement is associated with a negative outcome.

The Criminality of Narcotic Addicts

This article reviews research on the relationship between illicit drug use and crime conducted since 1980. Significant advances are noted in studies of the crime of known drug abusers and in studies of the drug use of individuals processed by the criminal justice system. Major conclusions supported by the results of studies of the criminal activity of narcotic abusers are that both a higher prevalence and higher rates of crime are associated with more frequent use of heroin and/or cocaine, although addicts vary with regard to the type, amount, and severity of crime they commit. Rates of lifetime and recent illicit drug use, particularly the use of cocaine, among prisoners, parolees, probationers, and arrestees are high compared to the general population. Issues discussed include the etiology of drug abuse, the effects of treatment and criminal justice interventions on drug use and crime, and drug-related violence.

Recent research on the relationship between illicit drug use and crime

In a further study of the addiction-crime relationship, 214 narcotic addicts were classified according to their criminal involvement during a 2-year preaddiction period. The sample was divided into two groups—those who reported involvement in any of 20 categories of criminal activity (N = 108) and those who reported no such activity (N = 106). The criminal behavior and drug-use patterns of the two groups were then compared during subsequent addiction and nonaddiction periods. As expected, the impact of addiction was much more prominent in the low-crime group. The implications of results for rehabilitation strategies are discussed.

Thomas E. Hanlon

Papers

The Quality of Life Scale: An Instrument for Rating the Schizophrenic Deficit Syndrome

Continuous versus targeted medication in schizophrenic outpatients: outcome results.

The Criminality of Narcotic Addicts

Recent research on the relationship between illicit drug use and crime

Differential criminal patterns of narcotic addicts over an addiction career