Jack Mearns

Measuring Generalized Expectancies for Negative Mood Regulation: Initial Scale Development and Implications

A scale measuring generalized expectancies for negative mood regulation (NMR) was developed. The construct was defined as the expectancy that some behavior or cognition will alleviate a negative mood state. Data from five samples of college undergraduates (N = 1,630) were reported. Internal consistency, discriminant validity from social desirability, and temporal stability were demonstrated for a 30-item scale derived from an initial pool of 50 items. Further analyses revealed (a) modest correlations of the 30-item scale with internal-external control, (b) that high scorers on the NMR scale reported few symptoms of depression, and (c) that the NMR scale predicted a different pattern of emotions than the Beck Depression Inventory did. Discussion focused on possible roles for expectancies for negative mood regulation in the coping process and directions for future research on the mood regulation process.

Coping-related expectancies and dispositions as prospective predictors of coping responses and symptoms.

We used Rotters (1954, 1982) social learning theory and Kirschs (1985, 1999) response expectancy extension thereof to clarify distinctions between coping-related expectancies (beliefs about the outcomes of coping efforts) and coping dispositions (tendencies to use particular coping responses), specifically focusing on the role of generalized expectancies for negative mood regulation (NMR) as a predictor of individual differences in coping and well-being. Two studies using structural equation modeling provided support for direct and indirect associations between NMR expectancies and symptoms of depression. In Study 1 NMR expectancies predicted situational avoidance coping responses and symptoms of depression and anxiety, independent of dispositional avoidance coping tendencies. In Study 2, NMR expectancies were associated with depressive symptoms, concurrently and prospectively, independent of dispositional optimism and pessimism. Both studies indicated that NMR expectancies are more strongly associated with depressive symptoms than with symptoms of anxiety and physical illness. Results underscore the importance of distinguishing between expectancies and other personality variables related to coping.

Psychological effects of organophosphate pesticides : a review and call for research by psychologists

Organophosphates are among the most commonly used and most toxic pesticides. They act directly on the nervous system by inhibiting the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Organophosphates evoke a consistent pattern of physical symptoms. They also have acute psychological and behavioral effects, such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairments. Research suggests that moderate levels of acute poisoning may cause persistent problems. Long-term psychological effects of low-level exposure, however, have not been determined satisfactorily. Some research has documented cognitive and emotional deficits due to chronic exposure to organophosphates, but not all studies have found ill effects. To date, psychologists have played only a small role in studying the psychological effects of organophosphates, despite the substantial contribution their expertise could make.

Self-Injurious Behavior and Suicide Attempts Among Indonesian College Students

This study reports the prevalence of self-injurious behavior and suicide attempts among college students in Indonesia and examines risk factors distinguishing between 3 groups: self-injury with suicide attempt, non-suicidal self-injury, and non-self-injury. Self-report questionnaires measuring self-injury and suicide attempts, negative mood regulation expectancies (NMRE), depression, and childhood trauma were administered to 314 students. Of participants, 38% had deliberately injured themselves; among those, 21% also reported a suicide attempt. The 3 groups differed significantly on NMRE, depression, and child neglect. More self-injury and suicide attempts were associated with weaker NMRE and greater depression and child neglect.

Risk factors for nonsuicidal self-injury in Japanese college students: The moderating role of mood regulation expectancies

Self-injurious behavior is increasing among college students, and is common in both psychiatric and nonclinical populations. Peoples engaging in self-injury is associated with childhood maltreatment, poor negative mood regulation expectancies, and depression. During times of distress, maltreated children without healthy coping strategies tend to have impairment in mood regulation, which contributes to engaging in self-injury. This study investigated differences between nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and non-self-injury groups in history of childhood maltreatment, negative mood regulation expectancies, and depression in a sample of Japanese college students. We also assessed risk factors for self-injurious behavior, including mood regulation expectancies as a moderator of the relationship between childhood maltreatment and NSSI. Participants were 313 undergraduate students, who completed anonymous self-report questionnaires-Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory, Child Abuse and Trauma Scale, Negative Mood Regulation Scale, and short version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. Ten percent (n = 31) of all participants had injured themselves. Consistent with past literature, participants with self-injury history reported more severe childhood maltreatment, poorer mood regulation expectancies, and more depression, compared to non-self-injurers. Frequency of NSSI positively correlated with childhood maltreatment and depression, and negatively correlated with negative mood regulation expectancies. Regression analysis revealed that stronger expectancies for negative mood regulation interacted with maltreatment to predict self-injury: More maltreatment was associated with more self-injury, particularly among those with weaker expectancies. Results suggested childhood maltreatment, low expectancies for negative mood regulation, and depression predicted self-injury. Consistent with our moderation hypothesis, strong expectancies for negative mood regulation buffered the effects of childhood maltreatment, reducing the risk for self-injury.

Reliabilität und Validität der deutschsprachigen Version der Generalized Expectancies for Negative Mood Regulation (NMR) Scale

Zusammenfassung. Generalisierten Erwartungen uber die Regulation negativer Stimmungen (im englischen Original: generalized expectancies for negative mood regulation; NMR) wird in Bezug auf die Affektregulation grose Bedeutung beigemessen. Catanzaro und Mearns (1990) hatten zur Messung dieser Erwartungen einen Fragebogen mit 30 Items konstruiert (NMR Scale). An mehreren Stichproben konnten sie die psychometrische Gute der NMR Scale bestatigen. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte mit einer Stichprobe von N = 474 Personen die Reliabilitat und Validitat der deutschen Form der NMR Scale. Die Gesamtskala wies ein Cronbachs Alpha von .84 und eine Retest-Reliabilitat von .88 uber ein Zeitintervall von 4 Wochen auf. Eine explorative Faktorenanalyse legte eine eindimensionale Struktur des Itempools nahe. Bedeutsame Zusammenhange zum Geschlecht oder Alter der Probanden ergaben sich nicht. Die NMR Skala korrelierte signifikant mit Masen des affektiven und insbesondere depressiven Befindens (PANAS und BDI), was im Eink...

Discriminating neuropsychological sequelae of head injury from alcohol‐ABUSE‐induced deficits: A review and analysis

Alcohol abuse is linked strongly with neuropsychological deficits that may resemble deficits seen in head-injured individuals. Heavy daily drinking appears more damaging than episodic abusive consumption. Cognitive deficits associated with alcohol include abstraction, perceptuospatial, and problem-solving skills. Verbal abilities are spared. For alcoholics younger than 40, abstinence is associated with improved functioning. For those over 40, deficits may be permanent. Intelligence tests are unlikely to pick up alcohol-induced deficits. Points for neuropsychologists to consider in differentiating between head injury and alcohol-induced deficits include abstinence from drinking prior to testing, intactness of remote memory and verbal functions, and changes in tolerance for alcohol.

Assessing parental childrearing behaviors: A comparison of parent, child, and aggregate ratings from two instruments

Abstract This report examined the relative validity of scores of childrearing behavior based upon ratings by four rater types (mother, father, college-age child, and a sibling) from 186 families. Using the Worell and Worell Parent Behavior Form (PBF; Worell & Worell, 1974 ), subscale scores based on each rater type were of roughly equal internal consistency, had parallel factor structures, and yielded modest agreement with the three other rater types. These results are parallel to earlier findings for Schaefers Childs Report of Parent Behavior Inventory (CRPBI; Schaefer, 1965 ; Schwarz, Barton-Henry, & Pruzinsky, 1985 ) with a similar sample. There was little or no evidence that ratings by the child subject were superior to those of any other family member. Aggregating ratings of multiple family members greatly increased the generalizability of factor scores: The correlations between the three congruent factors of the PBF and the CRPBI averaged. 79 when 4-rater aggregate scores from each istrument were employed. Sources of validity and error in assessing childrearing behavior were discussed.

Measuring self-acceptance: Expectancy for success vs. self-esteem

Self-acceptance is defined in Social Learning Theory (Rotter, 1954) terms as overall Freedom of Movement. This definition is essentially the same as the conception of Generalized Expectancy for Success presented by Fibel and Hale (1978), who created the Generalized Expectancy for Success Scale (GESS) in order to measure the construct. This study sought to validate the GESS as a measure of self-acceptance by using a sociometric peer nomination technique (N = 79). Results supported the validity of conceiving of self-acceptance in Social Learning Theory terms as overall Freedom of Movement and the concurrent validity of the Generalized Expectancy for Success Scale as a measure of self-acceptance. Data also suggested that the GESS may be more psychometrically sound than other similar scales in terms of internal consistency and confounding with social desirability.

Generalized Expectancies for Negative Mood Regulation and Major Depressive Disorder: The Role of Previous Depressive Episodes and Comorbid Mental Disorders

Background: Generalized expectancies for negative mood regulation (NMR) have important consequences for the ability to regulate negative mood. This study tests two resulting hypotheses. NMR expectancies should correlate with the number of previous depressive episodes. Furthermore, there should be a correlation between NMR expectancies and the number of DSM-IV axis I disorders comorbid to depression. In order to test these hypotheses with an efficient instrument, this article presents the NMR-SF as a short form of the NMR Scale. Methods: During inpatient treatment, a sample of 40 depressed patients was interviewed by a clinical psychologist with the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV to assess the number of previous depressive episodes as well as the number of axis I comorbidities. Patients completed the NMR-SF to measure NMR expectancies. Additionally, a nonclinical sample of 560 participants completed the NMR-SF to test its reliability and validity. Results: The findings indicate that the NMR-SF is reliable and valid. In the clinical sample, NMR expectancies did not correlate significantly with the number of previous depressive episodes. There was a significant correlation between NMR expectancies and the number of comorbid mental disorders. Conclusion: Previous depressive episodes do not seem to result in lower NMR expectancies. The findings are in line with the hypothesis that NMR expectancies are involved in the etiology of mental disorders comorbid to depression.