Showing papers on "Psychological evaluation published in 2020"

Predicting Psychological State Among Chinese Undergraduate Students in the COVID-19 Epidemic: A Longitudinal Study Using a Machine Learning

Abstract: Background The outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) not only caused physical abnormalities, but also caused psychological distress, especially for undergraduate students who are facing the pressure of academic study and work. We aimed to explore the prevalence rate of probable anxiety and probable insomnia and to find the risk factors among a longitudinal study of undergraduate students using the approach of machine learning. Methods The baseline data (T1) were collected from freshmen who underwent psychological evaluation at two months after entering the university. At T2 stage (February 10th to 13th, 2020), we used a convenience cluster sampling to assess psychological state (probable anxiety was assessed by general anxiety disorder-7 and probable insomnia was assessed by insomnia severity index-7) based on a web survey. We integrated information attained at T1 stage to predict probable anxiety and probable insomnia at T2 stage using a machine learning algorithm (XGBoost). Results Finally, we included 2009 students (response rate: 80.36%). The prevalence rate of probable anxiety and probable insomnia was 12.49% and 16.87%, respectively. The XGBoost algorithm predicted 1954 out of 2009 students (translated into 97.3% accuracy) and 1932 out of 2009 students (translated into 96.2% accuracy) who suffered anxiety and insomnia symptoms, respectively. The most relevant variables in predicting probable anxiety included romantic relationship, suicidal ideation, sleep symptoms, and a history of anxiety symptoms. The most relevant variables in predicting probable insomnia included aggression, psychotic experiences, suicidal ideation, and romantic relationship. Conclusion Risks for probable anxiety and probable insomnia among undergraduate students can be identified at an individual level by baseline data. Thus, timely psychological intervention for anxiety and insomnia symptoms among undergraduate students is needed considering the above factors.

Attention-Block Deep Learning Based Features Fusion in Wearable Social Sensor for Mental Wellbeing Evaluations

Abstract: With the progressive increase of stress, anxiety and depression in working and living environment, mental health assessment becomes an important social interaction research topic. Generally, clinicians evaluate the psychology of participants through an effective psychological evaluation and questionnaires. However, these methods suffer from subjectivity and memory effects. In this paper, a new multi- sensing wearable device has been developed and applied in self-designed psychological tests. Speech under different emotions as well as behavior signals are captured and analyzed. The mental state of the participants is objectively assessed through a group of psychological questionnaires. In particular, we propose an attention-based block deep learning architecture within the device for multi-feature classification and fusion analysis. This enables the deep learning architecture to autonomously train to obtain the optimum fusion weights of different domain features. The proposed attention-based architecture has led to improving performance compared with direct connecting fusion method. Experimental studies have been carried out in order to verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed architecture. The obtained results have shown that the wearable multi-sensing devices equipped with the attention-based block deep learning architecture can effectively classify mental state with better performance.

Psychological Assessment Instruments for Use in Liver and Kidney Transplant Evaluations: Scarcity of Evidence and Recommendations.

Abstract: Psychopathology among liver and kidney transplant patients is prevalent. Although pre-surgical psychological evaluations are routinely conducted, understanding which specific psychological test to use is under-developed. The purpose of this review is to examine the psychometric properties of broadband and narrowband psychological measures in pre-surgical liver and kidney transplant evaluations. Overall, there is a paucity of research in this domain that hamper abilities to make clear recommendations on what to use alongside a clinical interview. This review highlights the need for additional research examining instruments that may predict patients' successful recovery from transplant surgery. Despite the scarcity of research, instruments that appear to be useful in this population include the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), the Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation (SIPAT), and the Transplant Evaluation and Rating Scale (TERS).

‘Sharing things with people that I don’t even know’: help-seeking for psychological symptoms in injured Black men in Philadelphia

Abstract: Objectives: Psychological distress is common in survivors of traumatic injury, yet across United States’ trauma systems, it is rare that standard injury care integrates psychological evaluation and...

Experiences of gender-based violence in women asylum seekers from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

Abstract: Introduction Every year, thousands of women flee gender-based violence in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala (sometimes collectively referred to as the Northern Triangle) in an attempt to seek asylum in the United States. Once in the United States, their legal teams may refer them for a psychological evaluation as part of their application for asylum. Licensed clinicians conduct in-depth interviews in order to document the psychological impact of the reported human rights violations. Method Using archival de-identified data from a human rights program, this study gathered the experiences of gender-based violence reported by 70 asylum-seeking women from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala who participated in pro bono psychological evaluation. Descriptive data were analyzed using a modified consensual qualitative research (CQR-M) method. Results These asylum seekers reported exposure to systemic violence, including severe intimate partner violence, as well as physical and sexual assaults, and threats of death by organized criminal groups in their communities. Additionally, over a third of women reported experiences of violence during their migration. The majority of asylum seekers endorsed symptoms associated with anxiety (80%) and depression (91%), as well as trauma-and stressor-related symptoms (80%). Discussion The results of this study elucidate the many forms of gender-based violence experienced by women in this region, the physical and psychological sequelae of this persecution, and the systemic forces that prevent them from remaining in their countries of origin. The research results also highlight the potential impact of trauma on the women's ability to testify effectively during asylum legal hearings, elucidate factors that may contribute to their resilience in light of the human rights violations they survived, and suggest implications for clinical practice.

Psychological aspects of awake brain surgery in children-interests and risks.

Abstract: Awake brain surgery (ABS) in children remains a subject of controversial debate for the potential psychological limitations that are related to this type of procedure. However, the tolerance and benefits of ABS in adults advocate for increased application of ABS in children. In this study, we report the psychological assessment, evaluation algorithm, and outcome of pediatric patients, who underwent ABS for surgical treatment of lesions in eloquent areas. Psychological selection criteria and the specifications of psychological support are described. A retrospective review and analysis of psychological assessment and psychological outcome of pediatric patients, who underwent ABS between 2005 and 2018 at the Department of pediatric neurosurgery, University of Lyon, France, was performed. Long-term psychological outcomes are reported. ABS was proposed to 18 children aged between 9 and 17 years and their families. After psychological evaluation of the individual patient and their familial surrounding, five boys and 12 girls (n = 17) were accounted eligible for ABS. They underwent asleep-awake-asleep brain surgery with intraoperative testing. In 16 cases, ABS could be performed as planned. Psychological alterations were postoperatively observed in 3 patients, symptoms of a post-traumatic stress disorder in 1 patient. The precise preoperative evaluation of the risk-benefit ratio in children plays a crucial role in anticipating a good psychological outcome. Professional psychological preparation and support of the child and his or her family are the key elements for successful completion of ABS.

WeCare Project: Development of Web-based Platform for Online Psychological Consultation Using Scrum Framework

Abstract: Symptoms and signs of mental disorders depend on the type of disorder experienced Patients can experience interference with emotions, thought patterns, and behavior Ways to determine the diagnosis and check whether you have a mental illness, there are several ways in the form of physical examination through a doctor, laboratory tests, psychological evaluation There is also therapy as a healing process and recovery of the soul that is healthy In Indonesia, many people experience mental health problems, but most are not aware of and care about these problems Even in the worst cases, many cases lead to suicide One factor that triggers suicide is, people who experience mental health problems do not have a place to talk about the problems they are facing, because in each city itself not all the availability of psychologist services that can help sufferers of mental health problems, let alone remember the price of psychologist services offered is quite expensive Therefore, by taking into account these considerations, the WeCare project proposes developing a web-based platform for online psychologist consultation In general, this platform has three main actors namely, admin, user, and psychologist This platform is expected to be a media liaison between users (patients) with psychologists in conducting consultations

Integrated care, shared electronic records, and the psychology profession: a cautionary tale for counseling centers

Abstract: Inadequate attention has been paid to the implications for clients and professional psychology resulting from use of electronic records in outpatient integrated care settings. Affecting clients, th...

Revising the bariatric psychological evaluation to improve clinical and research utility.

Abstract: Although psychological evaluations are a routine component of the bariatric surgery process, the goals commonly identified for bariatric psychological evaluations have not been realized. This brief report describes a revised bariatric psychological evaluation designed to repurpose the evaluation towards more achievable and equally valuable goals. Changes include revisions to the evaluation contents and administration methods. The revised evaluation: (1) includes pre- and post-bariatric psychological assessments to capture important surgery-related changes in psychosocial status, physical functioning, and quality of life; (2) incorporates measures of functional capacity, treatment adherence, and patient-centered goals; (3) improves clinical utility by using the post-surgery assessment data to identify patients who may benefit from psychosocial interventions; (4) expands opportunities for bariatric psychology research.

Helping spine surgeons detect pre-surgical psychological distress in complex spine patients: an observational pilot study

Abstract: Retrospective analysis. Analysis of a standardized, pre-surgical psychological evaluation program for complex spine surgery. Adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients have a high rate of comorbid mental health conditions. Although there is a body of literature demonstrating the impact of psychological factors, including anxiety and depression, on spine surgery outcome, it is estimated that spine surgeons utilize a psychological assessment only about one third of the time prior to a patient’s spine surgery. At this time, there is not a widely reported pre-surgical psychological evaluation program for ASD patients. 129 consecutive complex spine surgery candidates receiving a pre-surgical psychological evaluation were analyzed between January 1st 2014 and December 31st 2018. Based on the available literature and professional experience in our facility, a color code for patients was developed from Green (low psychological or psychosocial co-morbidity) to Red (high psychological or psychosocial co-morbidity). Univariate analysis was used to evaluate between color grades and demographics, mental health disorders and outcomes. 83% of complex spine patients had at least one psychological disorder or psychosocial barrier. Only 17% had a combination of realistic expectations for surgery, a good support plan, and were without a history of mental illness. The pre-surgical psychological color criteria were validated in showing higher rates of major depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder in moderate to severe color grades (p < .001) in addition to higher PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores (p < .001). Patients having a more severe color grade had lower rates of a discharge home and were taking higher morphine equivalent dosages (MEDs) at their six-month follow-up, though both did not reach statistical significance (p = .07 and p = .08; respectively). A comprehensive pre-surgical psychological evaluation may be beneficial to risk stratify and counsel patients being evaluated for surgical reconstruction of adult spinal deformities. 3

A Psychological Autopsy of an Intellectually Gifted Student with Attention Deficit Disorder.

Abstract: A psychological autopsy of an 18-year-old male with dual exceptionalities contributes to our understanding of suicide among students with gifts and talents. Using four theories and models o...

"The Need to See and Respond": The Role of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in School Threat Assessment.

Abstract: Child and adolescent psychiatrists are on the front lines of performing challenging school threat assessments. With respect to school climate, clinicians should be aware of the presence of zero tolerance policies and inappropriate profiling. Removing a student from school does not eliminate the risk to the school community. School shootings often present similarly horrific themes and failures to respond properly to warning signs. Threatening communications in social media posts, drawings, and writings are significant clues to potential violence. Fascination with prior mass shooters is a potential high-risk warning sign. Thorough assessment of weapon access is essential. If there are significant concerns about a student's Internet activities, police can access a student's telephone and computer; the Federal Bureau of Investigation can also be contacted. Even if a threat appears to be relatively minor, a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation should still be performed, as important psychiatric concerns may be present. After threat assessment completion, it can be extremely challenging to find appropriate school placements for students with complex psychiatric problems who make serious threats. If indicated, a judge can order a forensic evaluation or remand the student to a hospital or residential programs. Ultimately, it is up to the psychiatrist to decide on the severity of the threat and the proper course of action, in collaboration with a school-based threat assessment team. The child and adolescent psychiatrist who performs a comprehensive threat assessment is likely to be in the best position to make these judgments to ensure the safety of all.

Proteger: A Social Robotics System to Support Child Psychological Evaluation

Abstract: Human development is characterized by a complex and continuous process marked by systematic changes in several domains throughout the life cycle. Childhood corresponds to the initial stage of this process, constituting a period of intense and important transformations, which will influence the following stages. Precisely because of its importance, the observation of psychological changes in childhood requires diagnosis and treatment by a trained therapists. Due to the child's reduced capacity to express, or even understand, his feelings or unpleasant experiences that may have happened, the processes of evaluation, forensic expertise and professional diagnosis may face obstacles in the search for accurate information. It is understood that this process involves a set of techniques, such as conducting interviews with parents and educators; observation of the child in the school and residential environment and the ludic contact with the child. Ludic resources gain special prominence in this process and are used to bring the professional closer to the child, facilitating the child's expression. In this article, we are proposing a collaborative system, called Proteger, which uses a humanoid robot as a ludic resource in the psychological diagnosis process involving children. The developed interface is presented together with all the features available in the system. The teleoperated humanoid robot, with a children's voice and some basic movements, should help the professional to break the resistance offered by some children to participate in evaluation sessions.

"How Do They Even Know They Love?" The Image of Polyamory in Polish Expert Discourse.

Abstract: The article presents the results of a thematic analysis of statements about polyamory made in the media by Polish psychology and sexology experts. The analysis was conducted on the basis of 20 pieces of material released in the Polish national press, radio, and television between July 2012 and October 2018. The results show that most of the analyzed experts approach polyamory with suspicion. In most cases, the decision to be in a polyamorous relationship is assessed very negatively, and in the eyes of the therapists it is evidence of psychological defects in people who make such attempts or it is seen as a harbinger of unfavorable outcomes for the relationship. This negative psychological evaluation is often accompanied by a strong moral assessment and a clear willingness to discourage society from this relationship model. The results show that representatives of psychology and medical sciences in the Polish media support and legitimize the social and moral order that promotes mono-normativity. The true reasons for the aforementioned negative assessment are hidden behind a veil of scientific objectivity.

Legal and Ethical Challenges in the Psychiatric Treatment of College Students

Abstract: This article will examine issues of autonomy, privacy, decision-making, and voluntariness of the psychiatric treatment of college students. There is little consensus on balancing the individual student’s rights with the university’s duties. Conflicts between federal legislation, case law, and ethical recommendations will be explored. Landmark legal cases assert that universities have a specific duty to protect their students from both violent peers and suicide. College students are vulnerable to a range of psychiatric symptoms but have low rates of adherence to psychiatric treatment. Many institutions require an urgent psychiatric evaluation when there is evidence that a student is at imminent risk of danger, and some may require psychiatric treatment as a condition of returning to either classes or dormitories. Legally, patients are entitled to privacy and autonomous medical decision-making at 18 years of age. Pragmatically, dependence on parents and university for basic resources limits both the privacy and the voluntariness of their treatment.

Relato de experiência acerca das vivências na prática da disciplina de avaliação psicológica / Experience report about experiences in the practice of the psychological evaluation discipline

Abstract: Psychological assessment is the exclusive function of the psychologist and is a fundamental action to structure his practice, and the teaching of fundamental assessment in the Psychology degree is essential. The purpose of this article is to present an experience report on the practice of psychological assessment activity carried out in the Psychological Examination Techniques (TEP) discipline in an undergraduate Psychology course. To report this experience, all the steps of the activities carried out by the students of the discipline will be described in order to experience the psychological assessment process while still undergraduate. All steps were performed at the School of Psychology Service of the Higher Education Institution where the subjects were taught. As a result of this experience, there was a greater commitment from students and a better understanding of the psychological assessment process, which is not restricted to teaching the use of tests. It is concluded that the activity favored the learning of psychological assessment as a broad process, making it possible to contextualize its practice in an ethical and careful way.

Research on the abnormal psychological evaluation of college students in China based on the knowledge network.

Abstract: Mental health is directly related to people's physical health, social adaptation and study and work efficiency. Mental health education for college students has also become the focus of education in China. By combining the knowledge network with the psychological scales, this study tried to not only find the most significant abnormal psychology but also evaluate the relationship between different abnormal psychology of college students. The data of this study were the 'The symptom Checklist scale (SCL-90)' questionnaire of the 2017 freshman census of a university in China. The data were statistically analyzed by means of knowledge network method including centrality, systematic clustering and K-plex analysis. From the results, we can see that the 'phobic anxiety' was the core dimension; all the mild symptoms were clustered into one type, and all the severe symptoms were clustered into another type; other dimensions were more closely related in addition to 'interpersonal sensitivity' and 'somatization'. In psychological measurement research, knowledge network method can be combined to better evaluate the psychological state of the groups and obtain more complete assessment results, which provides a basis for the revision of the psychological scales in terms of balance and item setting.

Migrations, trauma and mental health: A literature update on psychological assessment

Abstract: Introduction Migrants and refugees often face potentially traumatic events and post-migratory stressors Upon arrival in the host country, they can be referred to mental health services to assess the impact of their previous experiences These cross-cultural clinical encounters may raise questions, particularly regarding the assessment of mental health using models based on Western conceptions of psychopathology Objectives and method The objective of the present non-systematic review of the literature is to discuss the psychological evaluation of post-traumatic reactions in migrants and refugees More specifically, we present current research on psychopathology, resilience and post-traumatic development (PTG) among the migrant and refugee population We also examine the cross-cultural validity of concepts such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, resilience and PTG Finally, we describe the most frequently used tools in cross-cultural psychological assessment and briefly reflect on the question of cultural sensitivity of mental health professionals A bibliographic search was carried out using the databases: PILOTS, Pubmed, APA PsycNET, and Google Scholar using the following keywords: "migrants", "refugees", "posttraumatic stress disorder", "mental health", "Psychopathology", "risk factors", "protection factors", "posttraumatic growth" and "resilience" We have also reviewed the reference lists of articles encountered from database searches Results Responses to a potentially traumatic situation are multiple Regarding the migrant and refugee population, the reviewed articles studied different post-traumatic reactions such as resilience, post-traumatic development, and psychopathologies The most studied psychopathological responses were depression, anxiety and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder After reviewing these studies, we asked the following question: considering the complexity of the migration process, what are the factors associated with the development of these different post-traumatic responses? Indeed, several individual and social factors before, during and after migration influence the mental health of individuals in a migration situation Among the most cited risk factors identified were: to be a victim of or witness to violence in the country of origin and, after migration, to face post-migration difficulties such as asylum denial, to be in a precarious situation with regard to housing and work, as well as the difficulties linked to adaptation to the new culture We have also described protective factors for the mental health of this population, such as: social support, psychological support, and a good quality of life in the host country The reviewed articles also describe an important influence of cultural aspects on mental health, such as the perception of an event as traumatic Although the authors of the reviewed articles accept this influence of culture on post-traumatic responses, most of the tools used to assess the mental health of migrants and refugees were created in a Western context Studies show a growing concern with these cultural aspects, and certain tools that allow a more culturally sensitive evaluation, such as the "Cultural Formulation Interview", are being developed Discussion and conclusion Even if the concern with the sensitivity of the tools used in cross-cultural assessment seems to be more present in the international literature, researchers seem to encounter difficulties in better understanding the effects of culture on the mental health of individuals With increasingly diverse societies, new research should not be based on participants' geographic or ethnic origins, but rather try to "unpack" culture with, for example, the exploration of the relationships between certain values or orientations and the different expressions of psychological distress Finally, given the still lacking development in the field of cross-cultural research, certain practices, such as the participation of interpreters, the supervision of cultural mediators or the use of culturally sensitive tools, can help the clinician to maintain good practices with patients from different cultures in the diagnostic and psychotherapeutical processes

The effect of active occupational stress management on psychosocial and physiological wellbeing: a pilot study

Abstract: The aim of the study was to address the working population with an occupational stress prevention program using mHealth solution and encourage them for healthy lifestyle choices. Seventeen participants were randomized from the corporate setting. A 24alife app with a good compliance program was selected. Test battery has been designed to test the physical readiness, psychological evaluation and biological blood markers for stress. Participants were followed up after 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively, within the intervention period. Weight of participants was tracked three times per month. Univariate analysis compared the continuous variables by One-Way Repeated-Measures ANOVA test when the data were normally distributed, or Wilcoxon rank sum test for abnormal distribution of variables. Participants used the app with a compliance rate of 94.1%. The psychological evaluation revealed higher motivation for work, lower burnout scores and participants gave subjective responses of better general wellbeing. Some of the participants lost up to four kg of body mass. Physical readiness has also improved. Results of mHealth projects on corporate could include primary health care institutions and health ministry to extend the existing system to patients’ pockets where they can monitor their disease and increase the ability of self-care.

Addressing the need for forensic psychological evaluations of asylum seekers: The potential role of the general practitioner

Abstract: Asylum seekers who have survived torture and other abuses may experience a wide range of psychological symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. During the asylum process, attorneys might refer their clients to clinicians who document these psychological sequelae of human rights violations. However, the need for forensic psychological evaluations exceeds the number of mental health clinicians available to provide these assessments. It has been suggested that primary care physicians, professionals who already play essential roles in the identification and treatment of mental health issues, may be able to conduct these evaluations. Yet, there is little empirical knowledge of what prior training and clinical experiences support mental health and non-mental health professionals who engage in this work, and what is needed to prepare general practitioners to provide forensic psychological evaluations to asylum seekers. This pilot study found non-mental health practitioners with experience in psychological forensic evaluations reached a level of confidence in conducting evaluations of asylum seekers comparable to general mental health practitioners. The study also identified clinicians’ perceptions of training that supports them in their forensic psychological evaluations, their professional development needs, and the potential for general practitioners to leverage their current skill sets in this work.

Practice Issues for Evaluation and Management of the Suicidal Left Ventricular Assist Device Patient.

Abstract: There is a high prevalence of depression among left ventricular assist device patients, who present with an increased risk of suicidality given access to means via the device either with nonadherence or disconnection. Suicidality via device nonadherence/disconnection is an underresearched clinical issue, as paradoxically this life-saving procedure can also provide a method of lethal means to patients with significant mental health concerns. A case study is used to highlight the course of an attempted suicide by ventricular assistive device nonadherence. Clinical implications and recommendations for practice include a thorough psychological evaluation presurgery, monitoring quality of life and coping styles before and after placement, psychological testing, outlining specific suicide protocols, psychiatric care considerations for patients with highly specialized medical devices, and related ethical concerns.

Psychological assessment method based on human-machine interaction and electronic equipment

Abstract: The invention discloses a psychological assessment method based on human-machine interaction and electronic equipment. The method includes: acquiring the interaction data of a subject, wherein the interaction data includes: interaction content, interaction behavior and psychological data of the subject; on the basis of the interaction data and the psychological model, analyzing the interaction data to obtain the psychological data of the subject, and performing structural analysis on the psychological data to obtain the psychological assessment result. The psychological assessment method integrates artificial intelligence, psychological principle, psychological counseling and evaluation technology, so that scientific, standard, systemic and convenient psychological assessment service is supplied to population. On the basis of offline mature psychological researching, psychological assessment evaluation conversation and professional psychological evaluation, human-machine interaction content is designed to ensure the standardization, structuralization and systematization of collection of the psychological health data, so that the defects that the psychological assessment service islack in professionality and convenience can be solved.

Effective communication of psychological evaluation findings for the court

Abstract: Begins with the same goal of self-help books to reach wider audiences with a clearer presentation of the facts. The target audience in this case, however, are jurors, attorneys, judges, and other multidisciplinary professionals unfamiliar with the technical jargon endemic to a behavioral forensic analysis. A plain-language translation and summary provides a more meaningful picture of the assessment. It lifts the interpretation of data beyond the scope of science and renders the message intelligible and insightful for non-scientific audiences. First considered are the do’s and don’ts of expert testimony in court when presenting findings from the psychological report. Second, briefly reviewed are guidelines concerning consolidated but effective communication of psychological findings when interviewed by the news or other media.

Assessing Depression Following Injury or Illness: Preliminary Validation of the Neuropsychology.Org Measures of Anxiety and Depression (NOMAD) Scale

Abstract: INTRODUCTION Evaluation is an important aspect of any evidence-based rehabilitation program, as it helps to determine the course and scope of the prescribed therapy. Several brief, empirically validated measures of depression are available, yet these measures lack a few innovative features that are useful when evaluating rehabilitation and other medical populations. Such features include a retrospective self-report of premorbid psychological status, embedded symptom validity measures, and means of quickly accounting for physiological symptoms directly resulting from injury or illness that may not indicate psychological distress. OBJECTIVE This was a preliminary study investigating the utility and psychometric properties, including normative data, of the Neuropsychology.Org Measures of Anxiety and Depression (NOMAD) Depression scale. This brief screening measure for rehabilitation and other medical patients provides ratings of current and preinjury/illness depression levels, and a screening for symptom magnification and minimization. DESIGN Clinical and control participants completed the NOMAD Depression scale. Clinical participants also completed some or all of the following criterion standard measures: Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). SETTING University hospital-based rehabilitation psychology and neuropsychology clinic and a private neuropsychology and pain psychology practice. PARTICIPANTS Convenience sample of 575 adults referred for neuropsychological or psychological evaluation, along with 85 undergraduate control subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS NOMAD Depression scale results were correlated with criterion standards. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were calculated. RESULTS The NOMAD Depression scale demonstrated moderate convergent validity with other brief mood measures: correlation coefficients (r = .76 to .87, P < .001). Adequate diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were found (area under the curve [AUC] = .81). Suggested cut-off scores for severity ranges are presented for the NOMAD Depression scale Total score and separately for the Cognitive-Affective subscale. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results suggest that the NOMAD Depression scale may be clinically useful for quick assessment of mood and mood change following injury/illness in rehabilitation and other health care contexts.

Psychometric Properties of the Psychological State Test for Athletes (TEP).

Abstract: This study has two objectives: to validate an adapted online version of the Psychological State Test (TEP, in its Spanish acronym); and to assess differences in pre-competitive psychological state profiles between amateur and professional athletes in team sports. The TEP questionnaire is an instrument which is used to assess, in a quick and simple fashion, the psychological state of athletes prior to competing. Its psychometric properties were evaluated by means of an analysis of internal consistency, an Exploratory Factor Analysis and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The EFA's results showed a factorial structure consisting of two principal factors and reliability coefficients, both globally and at the factor level, which can be considered acceptable (global α = 0.81; Factor 1 α = 0.85; and Factor 2 α = 0.73). The CFA confirmed the model proposed by the EFA so that the items were distributed around these factors, giving rise to one factor which includes variables that have a positive relationship with performance, and another with variables that negatively affect performance. Meanwhile, regarding the difference between the pre-competitive psychological state of amateurs and professionals, professional athletes presented higher levels of Motivation (p = 0.5 and d = -0.23). It is concluded that the TEP is a suitable tool for the evaluation of pre-competitive psychological states. However, in future research, this study should be complemented by analyzing the TEP's predictive validity in terms of the performance of athletes and/or teams, as well as its use as a tool available to athletes and coaches.

Assessing educational difficulties of students from refugee backgrounds: a case study approach

Abstract: The present study applied a qualitative case study methodology to the educational challenges of three students from a refugee background, in order to identify an appropriate psychological assessment process with which to evaluate their difficulties. Three students who had arrived from Iraq 1-2 years ago (one male and two females; aged 13 and 14 years) were referred by their teachers for psychological assessment as their academic progress was poor, despite remedial education. An educational and developmental psychologist, guided by a steering committee of psychologists and educationists, interviewed each student, his/her parent/s, and teachers independently. Based on referral concerns, hypotheses relating to the cause of educational difficulties were generated and psychological tests and checklists were used with all students and their parents and teachers. The data collected assisted in understanding multiple factors that may affect learning for students who have arrived from a war-torn country, and highlighted the importance of gathering detailed case-specific information to understand each student's background and current context. Challenges associated with the assessment process were identified. Further, ways in which psychologists and guidance officers, teachers and parents could promote these students' learning were identified. Implications for schools and policy developers are discussed.