Benedict T. McWhirter

Factor analysis of the revised UCLA loneliness scale

The Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (R-UCLA) is described and used as a unidimensional measure of loneliness; conceptualizing and assessing loneliness as a unitary, global experience. The present study suggests that the R-UCLA is a multidimensional measure of loneliness that assesses more than one construct of the loneliness experience. Results of principal axis factor analysis suggest that the R-UCLA measures three dimensions of loneliness: loneliness related to (a) “intimate others,” (b) “social others,” and (c) the “affiliative environment.” These findings may affect the utilization of the R-UCLA in future assessment, research, and intervention. These implications are discussed.

Relationships Between Attribution Style, Child Abuse History, and PTSD Symptom Severity in Vietnam Veterans

Relationships between learned helplessness, locus of control, child abuse histories, adult trauma exposure and subsequent PTSD symptom severity in a clinical sample of male Vietnam veterans were examined. Learned helplessness and external locus of control were not only reliably associated with each other, but also differentially associated with childhood abuse and PTSD symptom severity. Learned helplessness, in particular, evidenced significant relationships with both childhood trauma and current distress. Contrary to expectations, child abuse history was not reliably associated with combat-related PTSD. Overall results suggested that learned helplessness and external locus of control are correlated, but independent constructs with compelling links to adult psychopathology.

University Survival Strategies and the Learning Disabled College Student.

Effective support services for the learning disabled university student are outlined.

Critical Consciousness and Vocational Development Among Latina/o High School Youth Initial Development and Testing of a Measure

Critical consciousness of inequity and racism may be a significant asset for Latina/Latino youth’s educational persistence and vocational development. This study describes the development and testing of a new measure of critical consciousness in two samples of Latina/Latino adolescents. Study 1 presents an exploratory factor analysis of the critical consciousness items in a sample of 476 Latina/Latino students from 65 high schools. Study 2 presents confirmatory factor analyses of the items in a separate sample of Latina/Latino students from 74 high schools for the English (n = 680) and Spanish (n = 190) versions of the measure. A two-factor structure (Critical Agency and Critical Behavior) provided a good fit to the data. Relationships between Critical Agency, Critical Behavior, and variables such as postsecondary education plans, vocational outcome expectations, engagement (in school, extracurricular activities, Spanish language, and helping others), and thoughts of dropping out provide initial evidence of construct validity. Strengths, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Connectedness Among Chilean Adolescents: Factor Analysis of the Hemingway Measure of Adolescent Connectedness

The construct of connectedness was investigated among 390 Chilean adolescents using the Hemingway Measure of Adolescent Connectedness (Hemingway; Karcher, 2003). Participants were 7 th -12 th graders at an urban Santiago Catholic school. Results of a principal-axis exploratory factor analysis revealed an 11 factor structure that accounts for 61.92% of total explained variance of adolescent connectedness measured by the Hemingway, similar to results found in the adolescent samples in the United States. Two additional Hemingway subscales (connectedness to siblings and to boyfriend/girlfriend) are also described. Correlations between domains of connectedness and additional data obtained from these adolescents, their parents, and their teachers support the construct validity of the measure in this Chilean sample. Connectedness is an important protective factor among adolescents across many national contexts and the Hemingway is a promising measure for use with Chilean adolescents.

A Cross-Cultural Assessment of School Connectedness: Testing Measurement Invariance With United States and Chilean Adolescents

Positive associations between measures of school or academic connectedness and behavioral and academic outcomes suggest that connectedess is an important protective factor for adolescents in the United States. However, little is known about the meaning or measurement of academic connectedness, outside the United States, and especially in South America where rapid economic and educational changes are underway. Using the Hemingway: Measure of Adolescent Connectedness measurement invariance analyses were conducted that compared Chilean and United States samples. Results revealed that although all scales reflected factorial validity in both cultures, the connectedness to school, teachers, and self-in-the-future factors were noninvariant across groups, whereas the factors of connectedness to peers and self-in-the-present were invariant across groups. Consequently, all of these subscales can be used in both contexts, but comparing United States and Chilean youth on three subscales may be ill advised.

Construct validity of cognitive-behavioral treatments for intimate and social loneliness

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two cognitive-behavioral interventions whose contents were matched to distinct types of loneliness (intimate and social) derived from empirical and theoretical literature and from a factor analysis of theRevised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Screened participants were assessed on measures varying in theoretical relevance to the treatment conditions. The hypotheses were that each treatment would favorably influence measures of high theoretical relevance (e.g., the social loneliness treatment would reflect changes on measures of social loneliness) and would have comparatively lesser effects on measures of lower theoretical relevance. Analysis of Covariance on pre-, post- and follow-up data indicated that the social loneliness treatment significantly decreased both intimate and social loneliness in the absence of differences on control variables. Issues relevant to the construct validity of the distinct treatments are discussed.

Critical Perspectives on Adolescent Vocational Guidance in Chile.

In this article, the lens of critical psychology is applied to adolescent career development and vocational guidance in Chile. The authors describe and critique the status of adolescent vocational guidance in Chile, the reproduction of extant social inequities in Chilean education, and offer recommendations for enhancing vocational guidance practice, training, and research. The authors’ recommendations may be applicable to other contexts in which social disparities limit the vocational potential of significant groups in society.

Groups in Latin America: Comunidades Eclesial de Base as Mutual Support Groups.

Abstract Comunidades Eclesial de Base (CEBs) or base communities are self-help and mutual aid groups that assist in alleviating the effects of poverty and powerlessness in Latin America.

Family Counseling Interventions: Understanding Family Systems and the Referral Process

Increases special educators awareness of family systems and provides suggestions for dealing with students who have family problems