Margaret W. Pryer

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.

Absence of Noise Effects in the Simple Operant Behavior of Defectives

A review of the literature relative to the effects of noise upon performance of a task by human Ss indicates results are equivocal. While it might be expected thac distracting and/or noxious auditory stimulation would serve to interfere with task performance, Kryter (1950), after an analysis of rhe relevant variables, has concluded thac there is minimal evidence to support such a view. Berrien (1946), in a review of noise studies, has pointed out the need for more rigorous control in the investigation of noise effects. This investigator, however, feels that there is sufficient evidence to justify the conclusion that noise does affect the quality and quantity of task performance. In particular, Berrien, who used prolonged noise, suggests that noise may generate emotional instability which, in turn, is responsible for a decrement in output. This interpretation may also be relevant for noise which is not prolonged. Most of the studies conducted with noise as the independent variable have utilized normal Ss. Pascal (1953), however, studied the effects of noise upon simple reaction time in mental defectives. After obtaining a relatively stable measure, a loud noise was presented to S through earphones, and again, reaction time measured. The first effect was to cause a pronounced increase in reaction time, although wide individual variations were noted. In general, low MA Ss seemed most affected by the noise. The present study was designed to provide further information on the effects of noise upon the behavior of defective Ss. A simple lever-pulling task was employed. Since persistence at a task in the face of distracting and extraneous stimulation is generally considered to be an aspect of adaptive behavior with which retarded Ss have difficulty, it might be expected that noise would serve to create at least a temporary decrement in response rate.

Reported Problems in Emotionally Disturbed and Normal Adolescents

Grade-appropriate forms of the Mooney Problem Check List were administered to 93 hospitalized, emotionally disturbed adolescents and to 273 control students from local public schools. Factorial ana...

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.