Gary Groth-Marnat

Loneliness and Life Satisfaction in Japan and Australia

We examined the relationship between loneliness and life satisfaction in 121 residents of Fukoku, Japan, and 139 residents of Melbourne, Australia, using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1983) and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, Peplau, & Cutrona, 1980). Australian subjects reported significantly less loneliness and significantly greater life satisfaction than Japanese subjects. A high inverse correlation was found between loneliness and life satisfaction in Australian subjects, with a much smaller inverse relationship observed among the Japanese, suggesting that loneliness in Japanese subjects did not emotionally translate into life dissatisfaction as it did in Australian subjects. Instead, the experience of loneliness in Japanese individuals may remain largely independent of general life satisfaction.

Death Anxiety in Japan and Australia

This study compared death anxiety ratings as measured by the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (Templer, 1970) in 121 Japanese and 139 Australian subjects. Japanese subjects had significantly higher death anxiety scores than their Australian counterparts. Australian women scored significantly higher than Australian men, but no sex differences were found in the Japanese sample. A slight but statistically significant positive correlation was found between age and death anxiety scores. This study contradicted other research that indicated that Eastern cultural attitudes mitigated anxiety about death. These findings are discussed in relation to the complex relationship between culture and death anxiety as well as in relation to problems inherent in our current conception of death anxiety.

Block Design as a Measure of Everyday Spatial Ability: A Study of Ecological Validity:

This study investigated the effectiveness of the WAIS–R Block Design subtest to predict everyday spatial ability for 65 university undergraduates (15 men, 50 women) who were administered Block Design, the Standardized Road Map Test of Direction Sense, and the Everyday Spatial Activities Test. In addition, the verbally loaded National Adult Reading Test was administered to assess whether the more visuospatial Block Design subtest was a better predictor of spatial ability. Moderate support was found. When age and sex were accounted for, Block Design accounted for 36% of the variance in performance (r = -.62) on the Road Map Test and 19% of the variance on the performance of the Everyday Spatial Activities Test (r = .42). In contrast, the scores on the National Adult Reading Test did not predict performance on the Road Map Test or Everyday Spatial Abilities Test. This suggests that, with appropriate caution, Block Design could be used as a measure of everyday spatial abilities.

A clinical validation of the Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire

Objective: The current study addressed the concept of dysmorphic concern as a symptom that may exist in a number of disorders. The aims of the study were to: (i) validate a recently developed questionnaire that measures dysmorphic concern, the Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ); and (ii) evaluate the relationship of dysmorphic concern to depressed mood, social phobia, and obsessive–compulsive symptomatology. Method: Sixty-five psychiatric inpatients were diagnosed using the computerized version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-A). They then completed the DCQ, and questionnaires measuring body dysmorphic disorder (the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination, or BDDE), depression, social phobia, and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). The factor structure and convergent validity of the DCQ were determined, and associations with mood and anxiety symptoms explored. Results: The DCQ was found to be a reliable and valid instrument that is sensitive to dysmorphic concern. Furthermore, although dysmorphic concern was associated with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), depression, social phobia and OCD, only the score from the BDDE predicted DCQ score in a multiple regression analysis. Finally, BDD symptomatology was best defined by the presence of negative body beliefs as measured by the DCQ. Conclusions: Negative body beliefs are the hallmark of BDD. However, the existence of dysmorphic concern does not necessarily imply a diagnosis of BDD. The DCQ is a quick and efficient means of identifying dysmorphic concern in those who present with depression, OCD, social phobia or BDD.

Altered Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behaviors Following Near-Death Experiences

This study investigated the extent and types of altered beliefs, attitudes, and values of 53 subjects who reported having had a neardeath experience (NDE). A control group was composed of 27 individuals who reported having had similar life-threatening incidents but without a corresponding NDE. In addition, 45 significant others in the lives of the participants in these groups rated the extent and types of changes as a means of obtaining outside corroboration regarding the changes. The results indicated that the NDE group went through a significantly greater number of changes than persons who went through similar life-threatening situations but without having had a corresponding NDE. In addition, the extent and types of changes were mostly corroborated by significant others. Specific areas of change included increased concern for others, reduced death anxiety with a strengthened belief in an afterlife, increased transcendental experience, reduced interest in material possessions, increased self-worth, increased appreciation for natural phenomenon, and an enhanced awareness of paranormal phenomenon. Analysis of the depth of the experience indicated that the depth and the extent of change were positively correlated. Collectively, this information strongly suggests that it is the actual NDE itself, rather than some other factor such as merely being exposed to a life-threatening situation, that is crucial in facilitating change.

Human figure drawings and house tree person drawings as indicators of self-esteem: A quantitative approach

This study assessed the concurrent validity of Human Figure Drawings (HFD) and House-Tree-Person (HTP) drawings as measures of self-esteem. Adult subjects were requested to make HFD and HTP drawings and to complete measures of psychological adjustment which included the Coopersmith Self Esteem Inventory and Tennessee Self Concept Scale. The drawings were scored using a quantitative, composite rating scale derived from HFD and HTP empirical and theoretical literature on psychological health. Results indicated that neither the HFD nor the HTP quantitative composite ratings of psychological health related to the formal measures of self-esteem.

Financial efficacy of clinical assessment: rational guidelines and issues for future research.

Whereas the financial efficacy of assessment has been well documented in industrial/organizational settings, there is no comparable literature within the field of clinical assessment. This has become a significant issue due to the increasing cost-consciousness of managed health care organizations. A rational means of increasing the financial efficacy of assessment is outlined, which includes the following: (a) focus on domains most relevant to treatment planning and outcome; (b) use formal assessment for risk management; (c) target problems most likely to result in cost savings (i.e., dissociation, somatization, panic); (d) increase the use of computer-assisted assessment; (e) use time-efficient instruments; (f) more closely link assessment, feedback, and therapy; and (g) integrate treatment planning, monitoring progress, and evaluating outcome. Issues and strategies for developing a research program include clearly defining what should be considered a cost, enumerating possible outcome variables, optimal follow-up time frame, selection of instruments, and the function of assessment.

Visions of Clinical Assessment: Then, Now, and a Brief History of the Future

Perspectives on the discipline of psychological assessment are provided through reflections on a classic article by Hunt (1946), review of current issues, and a projection of changes likely to occur over the next fifty years. Topics covered include the place of idiosyncratic qualitative responses, test design, clinical judgment, managed care, financial efficacy, over emphasis on pathology, treatment planning, status of projectives, ecological validity, relationship between theory and tests, innovations in scale construction, and computer-assisted assessment. Future predictions relate to innovations in computer-assisted assessment, practitioner roles in an increasingly automated environment, the future of traditional tests, and human-rights issues.

Client characteristics and psychotherapy: Perspectives, support, interactions, and implications for training

An overview and rationale for emphasising interventions based on tailoring treatments to relevant client characteristics is presented. Also emphasised is the importance of the therapeutic alliance and how the development and maintenance of this alliance is enhanced through effective technique, especially when the techniques are tailored according to relevant client characteristics. Implications for training are discussed.

Influence of neuroticism, catastrophizing, pain duration, and receipt of compensation on short-term response to nerve block treatment for chronic back pain

This study investigated the influence of pain catastrophizing, neuroticism, pain duration, and receipt of compensation for 60 patients undergoing nerve block treatment for chronic back pain. Follow-up assessment 1 week following nerve block treatment found that neither neuroticism nor catastrophizing predicted level of reported pain or extent of disability. However, receipt of compensation and duration of pain were both associated with reduced benefit from treatment. The above four variables combined were able to account for 24% of the outcome variance in both level of pain and extent of disability. Possible causal patterns related to compensation and treatment outcome, limitations of the study, and directions for future research are discussed.