Barry A. Tanner

A multi-dimensional client satisfaction instrument.

Development of a client satisfaction measure through successive factor analyses is described. Five factors, each defined by five items and accounting for at least 11% of the total variance, were identified and replicated. A single second order factor also emerged in both studies. Reliability of the second order factor, and of three of the first order factors is sufficient for most purposes. The second order factor, which is a linear combination of the first order factors, was not significantly correlated with sex, age, race, or number of attempts made before receiving a client response. The distribution of scores was highly skewed, with most respondents scoring near the upper (satisfied) end.

Factors influencing client satisfaction with mental health services: A review of quantitative research

Abstract No client or therapist demographic variable has consistently been related to satisfaction, while the two client behavioral variables associated with satisfaction are descriptive of people whose needs are not likely to be met in traditional alcoholism treatment programs. Thus, there is little evidence of a satisfaction- or dissatisfaction-prone client type. Client reports of therapist behavior and treatment effectiveness are consistently related to satisfaction, but have yet to be supported by nonclient measures, and may therefore be confounded with other concepts such as social desirability. While both length of treatment and type of termination are significantly related to satisfaction, no one has examined the possible confounding of length by termination type. In general, the results suggest that we are indeed measuring satisfaction, but that we have yet to single out possible contaminants.

Memory deficits in workers suffering from hard metal disease

This study examined memory functioning on the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised in a group of adult tungsten carbide workers with hard metal disease and a group of matched controls. The hard-metal-exposed group of workers showed memory deficits related to difficulties in attention and verbal memory, with an apparent sparing of visual-spatial memory. Implications of this finding for future research are discussed.

Multimodal behavioral treatment of nonrepetitive, treatment-resistant nightmares: a case report.

A 23-yr.-old young woman presenting with a 17-yr. history of nightmares was treated with a variety of behavioral and self-regulatory techniques. The nightmares were unusual in that they did not have an obviously common theme as in most published reports, and, therefore, did not readily lend themselves to several frequently used techniques. Although previous treatment episodes had not affected the incidence of the nightmares, a combination of relaxation procedures, a mnemonic to increase lucid dreaming, and dream rehearsal upon waking from a nightmare resulted in a sharp decrease in the frequency of nightmares in four sessions. Further improvement was reported over the next nine months as additional techniques were introduced and other problems treated, and was maintained during a 9-mo. follow-up.

Neuropsychological sequelae of hard metal disease

To evaluate the memory complaints of a group of patients with hard metal disease, 12 adult, former tungsten carbide workers with hard metal disease and 26 healthy, unexposed control subjects matched for age, race, sex, occupational status and education were administered the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R), the Peterson Word Triad Test, Squires Current Events Test (including both the recall and recognition forms), and Squires Television Title Recognition Test. The exposed group demonstrated deficits in short-term verbal memory, allocation of central processing resources, and remote verbal memory compared to the control group. Visual memory was spared. Comparisons were made to previous investigations of memory functioning within the toxicology literature.

Preliminary data on a computerized test of finger speed and endurance

We set out to develop a computer-assisted finger-tapping task (the T3) that would measure motor speed much like the Reitan test, but that would also measure endurance. Data were collected for a convenience sample on both the T3 and the Reitan finger-tapping test. Moderate and significant correlations were obtained between the T3 and the Reitan test for both hands. Mean scores for the first 50 sec of the T3 were approximately 0.15 taps greater than the mean Reitan score for both the preferred and the nonpreferred hands, while the mean scores for the full 2 min of the T3 were 1.52 taps less than those of the Reitan test for the preferred hand, and 1.32 taps less for the nonpreferred hand. The mean for the last 40 sec with the preferred hand averaged 3.93 taps (7.62%) slower than for the first 40 sec, whereas for the nonpreferred hand, the difference was 5.12 taps (11.15%). These results are consistent with our intent to develop measures of (1) relatively pure motor speed (the first 50 sec of the T3); (2) motor speed combined with endurance (the full 2 min of the T3); and (3) finger endurance (the first 40 sec compared with the last 40 sec of the T3).

Confirmatory factor analysis of the portuguese Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar cual de los tres modelos publicados mejor caracteriza la estructura factorial de la version portuguesa de la Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS21) y evaluar su validez y confiabilidad. Se compararon los tres modelos a traves de analisis factorial confirmatoria de la DASS-21, aplicada el 1.297 pacientes adultos, del servicio de atencion basica (66,7% mujeres; edad Media=48,57 anos). La relacion entre la DASS-21 y la Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) tambien fue analizada. El modelo de tres factores correlacionados se ajusta mejor a los datos. La escala presento buena consistencia interna con valores alfa observados en las subescalas, variando de 0,836 a 0,897. La correlacion con la PANAS fue positiva y comedida con la escala de afecto negativa, y negativa y limitada con la escala de afecto positivo. Esos resultados corroboran la estructura de tres factores. La prueba presento confiabilidad adecuada y validez de constructo, dando soporte a su uso para rastrear pacientes portugueses en el servicio de atencion basica.To determine which of three published models best characterizes the factor structure of the Portuguese version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 and to assess its validity and reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis of Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 for 1,297 adult, primary care outpatients (66.7% female, Mage = 48.57 years) comparing 3 models. The relationship between the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule was analyzed. The correlated 3-factor model fit the data best. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency, with alpha scores of the subscales ranging from 0.836 to 0.897. Correlation with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule was positive and moderate with the negative affect scale; it was negative and limited with the positive affect. These findings support the correlated 3-factor structure. The test demonstrated adequate reliability and construct validity, which supports its use for screening in primary care settings with Portuguese speakers.

Computer-aided reporting of the results of neuropsychological evaluations of traumatic brain injury

Abstract The TBI Report Assistant is designed to perform the types of routine tasks that computers do well, while freeing the skilled psychologist to concentrate on tasks best done by knowledgeable humans. The Assistant is intended for reporting the results of neuropsychological evaluation of traumatic brain injury patients using a standard battery. The program encourages the inclusion of additional information by writing to a disk file suitable for editing with a word processor, rather than directly to the printer. The resulting file contains prompts for summary and interpretive statements by the psychologist.

Composite descriptions associated with rare MMPI two-point code types: Codes that involve scale 5

MMPI files of 1,016 prior patients were searched for protocols with two-point codes that involved scale 5. Sixty-one such protocols were found; these accounted for 6% of the sample. Salient characteristics of the cases were noted, and composite descriptions were developed for each of the code types. An additional 22 cases were located over the next 2 years in response to my requests for such profiles. Base rates from the original sample, as well as descriptive statistics and composite descriptions from the extended sample, are provided for each of the eight code types with the exception of the 5-0/0-5 code, which will be presented elsewhere.

A Windows program to assist in preparing reports of emergency psychiatry nursing assessments

The Emergency Psychiatry Nursing Assessment Report Framework (EP Nurse) is designed to guide the nurse through the interview-and-reporting process, and to produce a report of the nursing evaluation in emergency psychiatry in 5–10 min. Input includes identifying information, presenting complaints, substance-use history, medical history and vitals, psychiatric medications, treatment history, history of mental illness, last hospitalization, family history of mental illness, nursing diagnosis, and nursing intervention. EP Nurse is intended to be used by licensed nurses familiar with nursing assessment in emergency psychiatry. It is suitable for adult patients.