Claudia Pignolo

A clinimetric analysis of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) in general population studies (Denmark, Norway, and Italy)

Abstract Background: Although the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) is one of the most widely used self-reported scales covering several psychopathological states, the scalability of the SCL-90-R has been found to be very problematic. Aims: We have performed a clinimetric analysis of the SCL-90-R, taking both its factor structure and scalability (i.e. total scale score a sufficient statistic) into account. Methods: The applicability of the SCL-90-R has been found acceptable in general population studies from Denmark, Norway and Italy. These studies were examined with principal component analysis (PCA) to identify the factor structure. The scalability of the traditional SCL-90-R subscales (i.e. somatization, hostility, and interpersonal sensitivity) as well as the affective subscales (i.e. depression and anxiety and ADHD), were tested by Mokken’s item response theory model. Results: Across the three general population studies the traditional scaled SCL-90-R factor including 83 items was identified by PCA. The Mokken analysis accepted the scalability of both the general factor and the clinical SCL-90-R subscales under examination. Conclusion: The traditional, scaled, general 83 item SCL-90-R scale is a valid measure of general psychopathology. The SCL-90-R subscales of somatization, hostility, and interpersonal sensitivity as well as the affective subscales of depression, anxiety, and ADHD were all accepted by the Mokken test for scalability, i.e. their total scores are sufficient statistics.

White matter and schizophrenia: A meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging studies

Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are the most implemented methodologies to detect alterations of both gray and white matter (WM). However, the role of WM in mental disorders is still not well defined. We aimed at clarifying the role of WM disruption in schizophrenia and at identifying the most frequently involved brain networks. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify VBM and DTI studies focusing on WM alterations in patients with schizophrenia compared to control subjects. We selected studies reporting the coordinates of WM reductions and we performed the anatomical likelihood estimation (ALE). Moreover, we labeled the WM bundles with an anatomical atlas and compared VBM and DTI ALE-scores of each significant WM tract. A total of 59 studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. WM alterations were reported in 31 and 34 foci with VBM and DTI methods, respectively. The most occurred WM bundles in both VBM and DTI studies and largely involved in schizophrenia were long projection fibers, callosal and commissural fibers, part of motor descending fibers, and fronto-temporal-limbic pathways. The meta-analysis showed a widespread WM disruption in schizophrenia involving specific cerebral circuits instead of well-defined regions.

An Interrater Reliability Study of Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R–PAS) Raw and Complexity-Adjusted Scores

ABSTRACT Recently, the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R–PAS; Meyer, Viglione, Mihura, Erard, & Erdberg, 2011) was introduced to overcome some possible limitations of the Comprehensive System (CS; Exner, 2003) while continuing its efforts to link Rorschach inferences to their evidence base. An important, technical modification to the scoring system is that R–PAS interpretations are based on both standard scores and complexity-adjusted scores. Two previous U.S. studies reported good to excellent interrater reliability (IRR) for the great majority of R–PAS variables; however, IRR of complexity-adjusted scores has never been investigated. Furthermore, no studies have yet investigated R–PAS IRR in Europe. To extend this literature, we examined R–PAS IRR of Page 1 and Page 2 raw and complexity-adjusted scores with 112 Italian Rorschach protocols. We collected a large sample of both clinical and nonclinical Rorschach protocols, each of which was coded separately by 2 independent raters. Results demonstrated a mean intraclass correlation of .78 (SD = .14) for raw scores and.74 (SD = .14) for complexity-adjusted scores. Overall, for both raw and complexity-adjusted values, most of the variables were characterized by good to excellent IRR.

Psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI).

The Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) has been translated into different languages (e.g., Spanish, German, and Greek) and several authors investigated psychometric properties, internal structure, and the convergent validity of translated versions of the PAI. Recently, an Italian version of the test has been published, but its psychometric properties has never been explored. The aims of the present study were: (a) to examine the hypothesized subscale structure of scales that have subscales, (b) to evaluate the internal structure of the 22 PAI full scales, and (c) to report on the convergent validity of the PAI scales with the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) scales. The sample consisted of 1,538 participants recruited from all over Italy. Our findings provided support to the cross-cultural applicability of the PAI and contributed to enhance confidence in the validity and utility of the PAI.

AIP XIX, Symposium Session, 5, 2 A, Suppl. 2017

The referential cycle described by Wilma Bucci predicts that during the session – and more generally during the therapeutic path – three phases alternate: a) arousal of the emotion schemas within the patient-therapist relationship, b) symbolization by the patient trying to translate into words his/her experiences with the therapist collaboration, and c) reorganization/reflection in which patient and therapist try to recognize and understand the emotional significance of patient’s experiences. So far, to monitor the development of these three phases during the sessions therapists and researchers could use their own clinical sensitivity or the referential activity computerized measures, which however need the session verbatim transcription. In order to develop a parallel and less time-consuming method we built up a self-report questionnaire that measures the main dimensions of the referential activity and cycle. For three months seven therapists have completed it online to evaluate 255 sessions, right at their conclusion. The factorial analysis revealed a factorial structure consistent with the measured constructs and a high internal consistency of the subscales. The utility of the scale will be highlighted both for therapists and researchers: the T-RAPS is a useful monitoring and supervision tool applicable by therapists of any orientation and can be correlated with the other main clinical constructs as well as with the referential activity computerized measures. Furthermore, the previewed construction of the patient version of the scale will allow for a more complete and multifaceted overview of the referential cycle.