Mikael Henningsson

PLS model building: a multivariate approach to personality test data.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate how personality test data can be plotted with a multivariate method known as Partial Least Squares of Latent Structures (PLS). The basic methodology behind PLS modeling is presented and the example demonstrates how a PLS model of personality test data can be used for diagnostic prediction. Principles for validating the models are also presented. The conclusion is that PLS modeling appears to be a powerful method for extracting clinically relevant information from complex personality test data matrixes. It could be used as a complement to more hard modeling methods in the process of examining a new area of interest.

Assessment of self-conscious emotions : A Swedish psychometric and structure evaluation of the Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA)

The Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA) is a well-established scenario-based questionnaire assessing self-conscious emotions, such as shame and guilt, which have been shown to be differentially associated with a variety of functional, motivational, behavioral and health outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and internal structure of a Swedish version of TOSCA in a sample of 361 healthy adults. The psychometric properties and internal consistency of the Swedish version were at level with the original US TOSCA version for shame, guilt and detachment. The internal structure of the Swedish version was acceptable for shame, guilt and detachment but contained shortcomings in assessment of externalization.

Defensive characteristics in individuals with amalgam illness as measured by the percept-genetic method Defense Mechanism Test.

Twenty patients complaining of symptoms deriving from their amalgam fillings and a non-patient group were assessed by means of the perceptual projective Defense Mechanism Test (DMT). The test protocols were scored for 130 DMT variables and analyzed by means of the multivariate statistical method Partial Least Squares discriminant analysis. The objective was to try to distinguish the group with amalgam illness from the non-patient group by means of the DMT. The results showed that it was possible to distinguish the two groups significantly from each other. The most characteristic traits of the patient group were a general lateness in perception and few emotional responses compared with the non-patient group and, especially, an inability to perceive the aggressive component in the stimulus picture. The DMT seems to be a powerful method in the effort to understand the mechanisms underlying the problems of amalgam illness.

Distress after a single violent crime: how shame-proneness and event-related shame work together as risk factors for post-victimization symptoms.

To increase understanding of post-victimization symptom development, the present study investigated the role of shame- and guilt-proneness and event-related shame and guilt as potential risk factors. 35 individuals (M age = 31.7 yr.; 48.5% women), recently victimized by a single event of severe violent crime, were assessed regarding shame- and guilt-proneness, event-related shame and guilt, and post-victimization symptoms. The mediating role of event-related shame was investigated with structural equation modeling (SEM), using bootstrapping. The guilt measures were unrelated to each other and to post-victimization symptoms. The shame measures were highly intercorrelated and were both positively correlated to more severe post-victimization symptom levels. Event-related shame as mediator between shame-proneness and post-victimization symptoms was demonstrated by prevalent significant indirect effects. Both shame measures are potent risk factors for distress after victimization, whereby part of the effect of shame-proneness on post-victimization symptoms is explained by event-related shame.

Trauma-related Symptoms after Violent Crime: The Role of Risk Factors before, during and Eight Months after Victimization

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of current suffering and the role of peritraumatic emotions and other risk factors for development of post-traumatic and general symptoms eight m ...

Conversion disorder and multiple chemical sensitivity: a comparative study of psychological defense strategies.

This study compared psychological defensive strategies in two groups of patients with multiple chemical sensitivity (n=10) and conversion disorder (n = 10) by means of the projective perceptual Defense Mechanism Test. We attempted to create a model for personality assessment based on the test data of prior patients, in which new patients could successively be tested. The overall results indicated that it was possible to separate the clinical groups significantly from a control group and from each other. In comparison to the controls, the clinical groups were characterized by patterns that were more nonemotionally adapted as well by a lateness of perception, but the ways in which the clinical groups maintained this difference were not the same. The multiple chemical sensitivity group was characterized above all by blocking maneuvers, while the main defensive strategy of the conversion disorder group was distortion of content.

Interrater reliability among three judges on 130 defense mechanism test variables: a multivariate approach.

The aim of this study was to examine the interrater reliability in the coding of the Defense Mechanism Test for 130 variables on both a variable and a subject level. Parallel with a traditional variable analysis, a multivariate strategy for measurement of interrater reliability, built upon principal component analysis, is presented. The results showed high agreement between judges with an overall interrater reliability coefficient of .98 but indicates the need for elucidation in the coding instructions for nine single variables. It also showed that multivariate modeling methods for handling personality test data are highly resistant to occasional differences on single variables but sensitive to major differences.

Treatment Acceptability among Crime Victims

Crime victims receive relevant treatment too seldom and there is uncertainty as to whether those who need the treatment the most are among those who get it. Fifty-two consecutive adult crime victims were offered 10 sessions of psychotherapy within two weeks after an experienced trauma of criminal victimization. Twenty-six accepted and 26 declined the offer. The aim of the study was to explore some of the differences between these two groups. The results show that the therapy group presented a higher incidence of acute stress disorder, more negative scorings regarding immediate reactions (to the crime), more subjective ratings of physical and psychological health (GAF, according to DSM IV), and more psychiatric and trauma-related symptoms as compared to the non-therapy group. A conclusion was that those who needed treatment the most also accepted it. Traumatized people may, due to avoidant strategies, withdraw from potential treatment. Conversely, the therapy group scored higher on the coping style escape-avoidance.