Joseph R. Scotti

Psychometric properties of the PTSD checklist—civilian version

We examined the psychometric properties of the PTSD Checklist (PCL), a self-report instrument designed to assess symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Three hundred ninety-two participants recruited in a university setting completed the PCL in addition to several well-established self-report instruments designed to assess various forms of psychopathology (e.g., depression, general anxiety, PTSD). Ninety participants returned for readministration of selected measures. Findings provided support for psychometric properties of the PCL, including internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. Additional strengths of the PCL are discussed.

Internet Use, Abuse, and Dependence among Students at a Southeastern Regional University

Objective: To assess Internet use, abuse, and dependence. Participants: 411 undergraduate students. Results: Ninety percent of participants reported daily Internet use. Approximately half of the sample met criteria for Internet abuse, and one-quarter met criteria for Internet dependence. Men and women did not differ on the mean amount of time accessing the Internet each day; however, the reasons for accessing the Internet differed between the 2 groups. Depression was correlated with more frequent use of the Internet to meet people, socially experiment, and participate in chat rooms, and with less frequent face-to-face socialization. In addition, individuals meeting criteria for Internet abuse and dependence endorsed more depressive symptoms, more time online, and less face-to-face socialization than did those not meeting the criteria. Conclusions: Mental health and student affairs professionals should be alert to the problems associated with Internet overuse, especially as computers become an integral part of college life.

Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in firefighters

Abstract Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been extensively studied in victim populations (e.g., survivors of sexual assault), but not nearly as thoroughly in the responders who come to the aid of those victims, particularly firefighters. The prevalence rates for PTSD (as defined by previous authors) in firefighters vary widely, from 6.5% to 37%, using various cutoff scores on a variety of measures (primarily self-report) with rather dissimilar samples and events. This study utilized the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL), a measure consistent with current DSM-IV criteria, to evaluate the prevalence of PTSD symptoms in 131 firefighters from two US states. Using a standard cutoff score on the PCL, a prevalence rate of 8% was found. When measures of fear, helplessness, or horror (DSM-IV Criterion A2) and functional impairment (Criterion F) were included, a lower prevalence rate of 5% was obtained, a rate lower than typically is found in previously published reports. Previous psychological treatment, age at which the firefighters started working, Miscellaneous Calls, and the response of horror following the firefighters Single Worst Event predicted PTSD symptoms. The present findings highlight the importance of using a symptom measure consistent with the full DSM-IV criteria to more fully assess firefighters’ responses of fear, helplessness, and horror.

DSM–IV and disorders of childhood and adolescence: Can structural criteria be functional?

The structural, descriptive basis of the diagnostic categories outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) is contrasted to a system of functional analysis, with regard to (a) clinical diagnosis, (b) target behavior identification, (c) treatment design, (d) treatment evaluation, and (e) clinical research. It is noted that structural classification is a useful starting point for these activities but that functional analysis has greater utility for target behavior identification and treatment design by giving consideration to antecedent and consequent events, skills repertoires, response interrelations, and support systems. Examples of melding structural classification and functional analytic systems are provided with reference to certain childhood disorders: mental retardation, disruptive behavior disorders, and anxiety disorders. Recommendations are made for an elaboration of the DSM axes to include (a) psychosocial and environmental resources and deficits, and (b) idiographic case analysis. It is suggested that these axes will assist in systematizing functional analysis and making it more accessible to all clinicians and researchers.

Private events in behavior analysis: Conceptual basis and clinical relevance

Behavior analysis has been criticized extensively since its inception. While most criticisms seem ill-informed, two foci that relate to behavior therapy seem to have significant validity: the behavior analytic conceptualization of private events and the dearth of demonstrated efficacy of this approach with adult outpatient populations. These two issues are related and seem to result from the fact that behavior analysts have largely ignored private events until recently. However, we believe that behavior analysis is developing a position on the role of private events that is consistent with the pragmatic, contextual, nonmentalistic perspective taken by behavior analysis. We attempt to present such a perspective here. Further, and in line with the natural science tenets underlying behavior analysis, this perspective is beginning to be supported by empirical research. Because the clinical relevance of any theoretical model is related to the degree to which it guides effective treatments, a recently developed therapeutic approach that uses a behavior analytic account of private events will be sketched.

Interventions with Challenging Behavior of Persons with Developmental Disabilities: A Review of Current Research Practices.

The published intervention research on the remediation of challenging behavior of persons with developmental disabilities was reviewed. A total of 179 studies over a recent 5-year period (1988 through 1992) were reviewed for adherence to certain standards of practice, including the use of functional assessment, function-treatment matching, level of intervention intrusiveness, monitoring of collateral behaviors, follow-up, and generalization. Results are presented with regard to each standard of practice and the relations among practices. The results largely support meaningful improvements in the state of the intervention literature since the time of several previous reviews. Areas of progress are noted and continuing deficits are discussed.

College student attitudes concerning the sexuality of persons with mental retardation: Development of the perceptions of sexuality scale

As persons with mental retardation become increasingly integrated into community settings, their right to sexual expression is an ever more important focus of education and habilitation. The perceptions of service providers of the sexual behavior of persons with mental retardation can have a significant impact on access to these services. Thus, the Perceptions of Sexuality Scale (POS) was developed as a measure of the attitudes of service providers. Data are presented regarding a factor analysis of the POS; ratings of acceptability of the sexual behavior of college students and persons with mental retardation; and the relation of those ratings to certain demographics, general attitudes, and interpersonal contact variables. Suggestions for the use of the POS are made.

Functional analysis and unsuccessful treatment of Tourette's syndrome in a man with profound mental retardation*

The head and vocal tics of a man with Tourettes syndrome and profound mental retardation were successfully assessed with the Motivation Assessment Scale and an analog functional analysis procedure. The functional analysis revealed that the primary motivation of the tic behaviors was escape from demand situations. A combined intervention of social disapproval and escape extinction was implemented without success. Subsequent administration of haloperidol also failed to decrease the frequency of tic behavior. The functional analysis and intervention results are discussed within the context of the scientist-practitioner model and the need for hypothesis-driven intervention strategies.

Sexual Abuse Prevention: A Training Program for Developmental Disabilities Service Providers

Persons with developmental disabilities are at an increased risk for becoming victims of sexual abuse. Research has revealed that the largest group of identified perpetrators of sexual abuse is developmental disability service providers. The purpose of the present study was to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of a sexual abuse prevention training program. Participants were administered a survey assessing knowledge and attitudes before and after the training workshop. Small improvements in knowledge and attitudes about sexual abuse and the sexuality of persons with developmental disabilities were found; however, ge-neral attitudes about individuals with developmental disabilities did not change. Suggestions for future directions in this area are provided.

Private events: Do they belong in a science of human behavior?

The role of thinking, feeling, and other private events has received a great deal of attention in mainstream psychology but has been virtually ignored in behavior analysis until recently. This paper introduces a series of papers from a symposium that explored the roles of private events in a science of human behavior. We briefly explore the role private events are assigned in several behavioral orientations. Next, we discuss several positions on how private events might be conceptualized within a behavior-analytic framework. We conclude by noting that the dearth of research and conceptualizations about private events unnecessarily limits the theoretical or conceptual understanding on which applied behavior analysts base their work. With this paper and the papers that follow, we hope to spark research, discussion, and yes, thinking, about the roles of thinking and feeling.