Deborah Ware Balogh

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Singleand Multiple-Factor Competing Models of the Dissociative Experiences Scale in a Nonclinical Sample

Previous research on the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) has demonstrated that (a) dissociation is quantifiable in both clinical and nonclinical samples and (b) a three-factor structure (amnesia, depersonalization, and absorption) is tenable for clinical samples. The factor structure for nonclinical samples is less clear, with one- and multiple-factor solutions proposed. To clarify the DES factor structure in nonclinical samples, confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on (a) one-, two-, three-, and four-factor first-order models and (b) two bifactor (hierarchical) models of DES scores for two samples of nonclinical university students. Results ofΔχ2 and goodness-of-fit indices support the three-factor (first-order) model as best fitting of the data for these samples. The utility of this DES model for screening both dissociative pathology and elevated normal dissociative behavior in clinical and nonclinical populations is discussed.

Backward masking as a function of spatial frequency: a comparison of MMPI-identified schizotypics and control subjects

The present investigation relied upon a neurophysiological explanation of visual masking and compared the backward masking susceptibility of hypothetical schizotypal individuals with that of control subjects. Masking functions were assessed within two masking conditions: high spatial frequency (HSF) and low spatial frequency (LSF). Schizotypal subjects (those with a 2-7-8 or an 8-9 MMPI profile type) were compared with “psychiatric” control subjects (those with a spike 9 or a 4-9 profile type) and normal control subjects. Group differences were expected only in the transient-facilitating, LSF masking condition in this studys assessment of the hypothesis that a transient channel abnormality underlies the schizophrenia spectrum backward masking deficit. As predicted, schizotypal subjects displayed greater masking susceptibility in the LSF transient-facilitating condition as compared with the HSF, sustained-facilitating condition that produced no group differences. These results suggest that multichannel neurophysiological models of masking may help to direct research designed to gain an increased understanding of the specific nature of the spectrum masking deficit.

The use of a backward masking paradigm to assess information-processing deficits among schizotypics. A re-evaluation of Steronko and Woods.

In 1978, Steronko and Woods (J. Abnorm. Psychol., 87: 481–490, 1978) failed to find significant differences in early visual information processing between “schizotypic” and “psychiatric control” college students, as identified by the MMPI; yet these authors concluded that schizotypics suffer from information-processing deficits. The present study was designed to extend and clarify these findings by modifying the methods and procedures used by these researchers. A visual backward masking task was employed to study the information processing of individuals whose MMPI-168 profiles indicated schizophrenic tendencies in the absence of an obvious thought disorder. These schizotypic individuals were identified by the MMPI 2–7–8 code type and were compared with three other groups, also identified by their MMPI profiles: an “inflation-free” control group, an “other-inflations” control group, and a group with an 8–9/9–8 MMPI code type. The 8–9/9–8 code type has been associated with psychotic features in adolescents and adults. Two dependent measures were evaluated: critical stimulus duration in a no-mask condition and mean target identification as a function of varying interstimulus intervals. The 2–7–8 group had significantly higher critical stimulus duration values than either the inflation-free group or the 8–9 groups. The 2–7–8 group and the 8–9 groups had fewer correct identifications of target stimuli than either the inflation-free group or the other-inflations group. These results suggest that both the 2–7–8 group and the 8–9 group may be more vulnerable to the effects of the masking stimulus. It appears that the methods employed by Steronko and Woods may have obscured true differences between individuals who may be vulnerable to psychosis and individuals who may evidence other forms of psychopathology. Moreover, it is suggested that the 8–9 MMPI code type may be an additional index of vulnerability to schizophrenia.

The Effects of Delayed Report and Motive for Reporting on Perceptions of Sexual Harassment

We examined whether the timing of the report and the victims apparent motive for reporting influences womens and mens perceptions of sexual harassment. Undergraduates (153 women, 149 men) listened to 1 of 6 versions of audiotaped testimony of the victim and defendant. The report was filed either immediately or 18 months later, and motive either was presented as altruistic, retaliatory, or was not specified. Participants chose a verdict, rated the defendants guilt, and rated the defendant and victim on several dimensions. Higher guilt ratings, more positive evaluations of the victim, and more negative evaluations of the defendant were associated with immediate reporting and an altruistic motive, although women weighed these factors more heavily than did men.

Methodological and interpretive constraints resulting from the use of the Per-Mag classification in high-risk information-processing research.

It has previously been argued that the current Per-Mag classification criteria may erroneously select some individuals who are not vulnerable to psychosis. We suggest that a second false-positive problem exists with these criteria. Specifically, actively psychotic individuals may be included in presumably prepsychotic samples. Implications of this problem for at-risk information-processing research are discussed.

DSM-IV Cluster A personality disorder diagnoses among young adults with a 2-7-8 MMPI profile.

The present study evaluated the presence of DSM-IV personality disorders among young adults from a nonclinical setting who produced an MMPI 2-7-8 profile in comparison to a group of MMPI-defined controls. Categorical and dimensional analyses of personality disorders were evaluated. Participants in the 2-7-8 group (n = 20) received significantly more personality disorder diagnoses than did controls (n = 29), and 85% of these individuals received at least one Cluster A (Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal) diagnosis in contrast to only 6.9% of controls (categorical analysis). The 2-7-8 group also received significantly more Cluster A diagnoses than Cluster B or C diagnoses. When dimensional analyses were applied (subclinical diagnoses), 95% of the 2-7-8 group evidenced Cluster A features. Comorbidity patterns were also evaluated; the most frequent comorbid diagnosis for the 2-7-8 group was Avoidant Personality Disorder (n = 8), consistent with Meehls (1962, 1989, 1990) conceptualization of schizotypy. These results support the use of the MMPI 2-7-8 profile as an indicator of schizophrenia-related pathology within nonclinical samples of young adults.

Application of signal detection methodology to a critical stimulus duration procedure: Evidence of a visual sensory store deficit among hypothetical schizotypals☆

Abstract The present study was an investigation of the ability of a traditional critical stimulus duration (CSD) procedure to equate schizophrenia spectrum and control subjects on visual initial input capacities. The original MMPI was administered to college students from a nonclinical setting. The 2-7-8 profile type was used in identifying the hypothetically schizotypal population (n = 12). Subjects producing an inflation free (n = 12) or a 4-9 (n = 12) MMPI code constituted the control groups. Analyses of CSD values using the commonly employed yes-no forced choice procedure revealed no significant differences among groups. A yes-no signal detection procedure was employed in constructing receiver operating characteristic curves for each individuals CSD. Transformed sensitivity and response bias analyses revealed that the 2-7-8 group demonstrated significantly lower visual sensitivity in comparison to the control groups. A less clear pattern of response bias differences was also obtained. These results are discussed in terms of the validity of commonly employed CSD procedures and the need for applied signal detection analyses in at-risk research.