M. K. Distefano

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OPINIONS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AMONG PSYCHIATRIC AIDES

The Opinions About Mental Illness Scale and a job-related mental health knowledge test were administered to 61 psychiatric aides in a mental hospital. Scores on the knowledge test were significantly correlated with four favorable attitudes. Correlations between subtest scores on the knowledge test and various attitude factors suggested possible differential relationships between certain types of mental health knowledge and specific attitudes.

Evaluation of Selected Interview Data in Improving the Predictive Validity of a Verbal Ability Test with Psychiatric Aide Trainees

From 13 objective interview items, five with adequate response variability were studied to determine if they would improve the validity of a verbal ability selection test in predicting the work performance of 181 psychiatric aide trainees. Multiple regression analysis revealed that a combination of three of the interview variables (prior work experience, education, and age) improved the selection test validity of .27 (p < .01) to .34 (p < .01), but none of the variables individually significantly increased the validity of the test. While limited support was found for the use of such biographical interview data to enhance test validity, the number of variables studied were relatively few. None of the interview variables correlated as high with the criterion as the verbal test, which is consistent with prior reviews. No significant race differences on the interview variables or performance criterion were found and comparison of regression line slopes and intercepts revealed no evidence of selection test bias related to race.

FACTORIAL ASSESSMENT OF RATED WORK PERFORMANCE WITH ENTRY LEVEL PSYCHIATRIC AIDES

A principal-components factor analysis of a 54-item work-performance rating scale with 173 entry-level psychiatric aides yielded three interpretable factors, Factor I: charting, record-keeping, and basic nursing care, Factor II: general work habits and compliance with rules, and Factor III: therapeutic interaction with patients. Comparisons of factorial and conceptual scoring methods yielded no differences in verbal-selection test/work-performance validities and no race or sex differences using either method. It was noted, however, that the use of factor analysis contributed to the construct validity of the scale and identified the major components of variance.

VERBAL SELECTION TEST AND WORK PERFORMANCE VALIDITY WITH AIDES FROM THREE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS

This study demonstrated the use of meta-analysis within a study to assess validity with samples of psychiatric aides from three state hospitals where the usual method of pooling samples was inappropriate. The mean weighted correlation between the modified Personnel Tests for Industry—Verbal Test and total scores on the work performance rating scale across samples (N = 173) was .23 (cumulative p = .001), which increased to .47 when corrected for restriction in range and error of criterion measurement. Although the number of samples was small for typical meta-analysis, the obtained validity was consistent with results from large meta-analyses with both similar and varied occupational groups.

ORIENTATION AND JOB SUCCESS OF MENTAL HOSPITAL PATIENTS

A follow-up study of 43 mental hospital patients in a Vocational Rehabilitation program indicated a significant relationship between successful job placement and orientation toward work. Successfully placed patients were higher in Task-Orientation and lower in Self-Orientation than unsuccessful placements.

FACTOR STRUCTURE OF A CLIENTS' SATISFACTION SCALE WITH PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENTS

A principal-components factor analysis of the responses of 119 psychiatric inpatients to a 28-item clients satisfaction questionnaire yielded two interpretable factors that accounted for 52% of the total variance. The first factor concerned general satisfaction with the treatment and staff and the second factor focused on satisfaction with the activities and environment. The results of other factor studies were reported, and the methodological influences on the dimensionality of satisfaction were discussed.

Work Performance, Ability, and Voluntary Turnover among Psychiatric Aides

No significant differences in work performance or verbal ability were found between psychiatric aides who stayed (n = 139) and those who voluntarily left (n = 41) during a 1-yr. follow-up of new hires The findings were important to the two hospitals involved in the study since voluntary leavers were not higher in performance or ability than those who stayed. While there were no differences between the two groups on age, sex, or education, lower turnover was found among black than among white aides. No consistent relation of performance to turnover was similar to that reported in recent literature. It is evident from the 1985 research of Wells and Muchinsky that a simple relation between performance and turnover may not exist but may be dependent upon specific organizational practices of rewarding performance and external market conditions.

Meta-Analysis of the Validity of a Verbal Ability Selection Test with Psychiatric Aides

This study demonstrated an application of Schmidt-Hunter meta-analysis procedures to cumulate validities from three studies with small samples of psychiatric aides obtained over time in a single organization. The mean correlation weighted for sample size between a verbal ability selection test and a job-relevant training criterion across samples (N = 320) was .62 (p < .01). The variance in the individual correlations was not significantly greater than that expected by chance, providing evidence that there was no true variation in obtained validities across samples.

Ability, Training Performance, and Demographic Factors in Voluntary Turnover among Psychiatric Aides

This longitudinal study of voluntary turnover among psychiatric aides in a state hospital compared aides who left during the first year of employment with those who stayed on measures of ability, training performance, and demographic variables. No significant differences between stayers and leavers were found on two tests selecting for general ability and a post-training job knowledge test, but significant differences were found on race and sex (higher turnover among white aides and males). The findings were contrary to those of previous studies with professionals, which indicated that leavers were higher in ability, qualifications, and training. Further research appears needed to assess the relationships between turnover and measures of ability and performance potential as well as research to evaluate the turnover and work performance relationship.

Comparative Validities of Two Cognitive Ability Tests in Predicting Work Performance and Training Success of Psychiatric Aides

Two cognitive ability tests were evaluated using 98 state hospital psychiatric aides to determine if the use of both tests would improve the predictive validity. A verbal ability test used in the selection process correlated .20 (p < .05) with performance ratings and .36 (p < .05) with post-training job knowledge test scores. A vocabulary test given for research purposes correlated .18 (p < .05, one-tail test) with ratings and .49 (p < .01) with training scores. While both tests were valid predictors, the vocabulary test was a significantly better predictor of the training criterion. The multiple correlation of both tests with ratings was .20 (p > .05) and with training scores was .49 (p < .01), neither of which was larger than the correlation with the best single predictor. The results demonstrated the potential use of two cognitive ability tests in improving aide selection without increasing the adverse impact on minorities, but continuing research with such tests and other selection procedures appears important, especially in occupational groups where specific validity data are limited and the jobs less complex.