E. Robert Sinnett

CONSISTENCY OF PATTERNS OF DRUG USE

Although there is much descriptive research concerning frequency of drug use, few studies have reported quantitative data on patterns of drug use. 33 college students with experience with a variety of drugs were studied. Alcohol and some legal drugs were included as well as drugs of abuse. Guttman scalogram analyses yielded very high coefficients of reproducibility (.89 to .98). The pattern of drug use was cross-validated on a sample of young drug users in another setting. The relative frequency of drug use for our sample was also highly related to that reported in other studies of student populations. In order to identify the dimension underlying the pattern of drug use, ratings of the safety and availability of each of the 18 substances were obtained. Both availability and safety were highly related to the relative frequency of drug use, with availability being the more important variable.

CREDIBILITY OF SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT DRUGS

Several samples of youthful drug users and non-users were asked to rate the credibility of a variety of sources of information about drugs. For both users and non-users these sources can be scaled along dimensions of authority, drug experience, and friendship. The profile of credibility of these sources differed markedly for users and non-users. There are clear implications of these findings for drug education and drug counseling.

Multidimensional Scaling Used to Evaluate Students Residing in a Rehabilitation Unit

The Stone-Coles revision of Ekmans “content” model of multidimensional similarity analysis was applied to judgments of person similarity made by four mental health professionals. The person-stimuli evaluated were college student clients (disturbed Ss) and volunteers (normal Ss). Two students in the latter category also served as judges. All judges appeared to share a common frame of reference, as only one factor emerged from a factor analysis of interjudge correlations. The factor analysis of a matrix of correlational similarities calculated from a matrix of mean similarities yielded four factors. These factors were first interpreted using clinical judgment and subsequently these interpretations were checked by correlations with MMPI variables. The first three factors were labeled: I. Action-oriented vs Overcontrolled, II. Sex, and III. Severity of Disturbance. A small fourth factor was uninterpretable.

Assessment of memory functioning among an aging sample

To provide additional basic normative data and an enhanced understanding of memory functioning of older individuals, 100 subjects equally divided into 5-yr age intervals from 60 to beyond 80, evenly split by sex and socioeconomic status, and balanced for racial composition were tested on 19 memory measures commonly used in clinical and neuropsychological assessment. While analyses indicated that 10 measures were significantly related to age, performance was quite stable from 60–74 years, dropping primarily at the oldest age intervals. No significant age-related differences were found on the remaining 9 measures, and in all instances considerable variability was evident. The study provides evidence against stereotypes that our population as a whole shows a generalized or severe memory decline with advancing age. Clearly, no one should hastily assume limitations in memory which would routinely disqualify older individuals in work, independent living, and decision-making. Recommendations are made for practicing clinicians who must choose instruments appropriate for normal and abnormal subjects.

The Changing Face of MMPI Practice

To assess the status of changing MMPI practice a questionnaire was sent by mail to 368 licensed psychologists in Kansas with a 40% response rate (N = 147). The modal respondent had 14.2 yr. of experience. Virtually all reported that they currently used the MMPI: 37.0% reported using the MMPI, 80.1% MMPI-2, and 40.4% MMPI-A. A majority (67.6%) used computerized scoring with local scoring used by three out of four respondents. Computerized administration was used by 15.9% and computerized interpretation by 43.8%. Most used both High Point Codes (91%) and Elevation (84.7%) for interpretations. Two of three respondents thought that the High Point Codes and Elevations for the MMPI and MMPI-2 are related. The results of this survey of current practice suggest that many practitioners may be making false assumptions about the nature of the MMPI-2 and MMPI-A and their relationships with the original MMPI. If the MMPI is to retain its hard-fought presence as a diagnostic, forensic, and selection tool, we must pay greater attention to these issues.

MMPI SCORES OF FEMALE VICTIMS

Samples of MMPIs of women who were victims of abuse or manifested a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder were drawn from two private practice settings, one urban and one in a small town. Each PTSD sample included 21 persons. For comparison, two contrast samples of 15 persons each were drawn from the same populations. A cut-off point of T = 65 for PK yielded a 69% hit rate for classifying PTSD and contrast subjects. Since scores on PS and PK were so highly correlated, no independent analyses were warranted. Although the PTSD group yielded a more elevated mean profile, there were no characteristic 2-point codes. Therefore, PK is more useful in identifying Posttraumatic Stress Disorder than either profile elevation or configuration.

Convergence and Divergence of Clinical Memory Tests

Although there are many methods used to measure memory, there is surprisingly little agreement as to the validity of these measures. This study was designed to assess the convergent and divergent validity of several different memory measures. 60 college students served as subjects in the study. A moderate degree of convergent validity was found for the memory scales. A principal component analysis gave two major factors, memory for verbal and nonverbal materials. Controlling for intelligence (Quick Test) did not substantially reduce the convergent validity of the memory measures, establishing the divergent validity of memory. While there is a need to assess clinically the memory functions of individuals, the current methods appear to need additional work to improve the level of convergent validity and to reflect the diversity in memory.

Food, Drugs, and Alcohol—A Common Temporal Pattern of Use

Two samples of college students (n = 42) in a weight-control program were shown to deviate from their diets in a temporal pattern found in previous studies for the abuse of street drugs and alcohol. Implications for the treatment of various types of substance abuse and eating disorders are discussed.

Temporal patterns of the use of non-prescribed drugs.

Licit and illicit non-prescribed drugs, regardless of their classification, are used in a common temporal pattern with the possible exceptions of caffeine and cocaine. The temporal patterns of drug use are highly correlated with the nationwide temporal pattern of TV watching, suggesting a pleasure-oriented, recreational use. The peak times for substance use and abuse may have implications for the delivery of professional or paraprofessional services.

Temporal patterns of drug use - a pilot study

Examination of pilot data for classes of drugs showed significant coefficients of concordance for ranked times of most common to least common use. Marijuana, psychedelics, and amphetamines were used most commonly from 6 to 10 p.m., coincidental with temporal patterns for viewing television suggests recreational use. Use times for caffeine were completely different.