Todd C. Campbell

The Factor Structure of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI): Confirmatory Analysis of Long and Short Forms:

In the early 1970s Constantinople wrote a seminal article that subsequently led to the elaboration of the construct of psychological androgyny. The Bem Sex-Role Inventory is a popular measure of the construct, but the measure remains controversial. We explored construct validity of scores from the measure using confirnatory factor analytic methods on data from 791 subjects. Measurement characteristics of both long and short forms were investigated, in that the short form has paradoxically been shown to generally yield more reliable scores.

Divalproex Sodium (Depakote) for Alcohol Withdrawal and Relapse Prevention

Abstract This pilot study evaluates the safety and efficacy of dival-proex sodium (Depakote®) for alcohol withdrawal and relapse prevention. Sixteen patients in moderate alcohol withdrawal were randomized to receive a standard benzodiazepine detoxification, depakote detoxification, or depakote detox plus maintenance. Symptom reduction occurred more rapidly and consistently in the depakote treated patients than in the benzodiazepine control group, and at six-week follow up a greater percentage of patients in the depakote maintenance group were completely abstinent than either detox-only group. There were no significant differences in sociodemographic or drinking data amongst the three cohort samples at baseline. Our findings suggest that the anticonvulsant divalproex sodium (Depa-kote®) may be a safe and efficacious alternative to benzodiazepines for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. It may be an advantageous alternative for outpatient detoxification, as it has no abuse potential, pharmacologic synergy with alcohol, or substantial cognitive or psychomotor side effects.

An Introduction to Clinical Significance: An Alternative Index of Intervention Effect for Group Experimental Designs

The present article provides an overview of two result interpretation aids commonly used in group experimental design research: (a) statistical significance testing and (b) practical significance (i.e., effect sizes). The limitations of each are described and an alternative index is discussed: clinical significance. Clinical significance, which focuses on meaningful change, differs from both statistical and practical significance. Basic concepts associated with clinical significance, including reliable change estimates and criteria for determining clinical significance, are addressed. A heuristic example is presented to demonstrate various levels of clinical significance.

Neuropsychological Functioning of Homeless Men

Numerous biological and psychological factors associated with impaired neurological functioning have been identified as common among the homeless, but there has been relatively little systematic examination of the cognitive functioning of homeless people. This study explored the neuropsychological functioning of 90 homeless men. There was great variability in their test scores, but the presence of possible cognitive impairment was detected in 80% of the sample. Average general intellectual functioning and reading abilities were found to be relatively low, and the incidence of impairments in reading, new verbal learning, memory, and attention and concentration was high. These findings suggest that the homeless men in this study had considerable assessment and treatment needs that were not being met by most of the health and social services offered to them.

Uncope: A Screen for Substance Dependence among State Prison Inmates

Efficient and accurate screening for alcohol and other drug dependences is critical if addictions are to be addressed in correctional populations. The UNCOPE, a six-item screen developed on clinical and corrections populations, was evaluated for accuracy in a state inmate population. Results using receiver operating characteristics calculated the overall expected accuracy of the UNCOPE to approach 0.90, with 1.0 being a perfect prediction. The UNCOPE performed comparably on gender and ethnic subgroups as well as subgroups identified by education level. The findings suggest that the UNCOPE could be an effective aid in identifying treatment needs among state prison inmates.

A review of Motivational Interviewing to enhance adherence to antipsychotic medication in patients with schizophrenia: Evidence and recommendations

Background: Non-adherence with treatment is a serious concern for many behavioral health problems, and nowhere is this issue more acute than among patients with schizophrenia who are non-adherent to antipsychotic medications. Aims: Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a psychotherapeutic intervention which has been demonstrated to be effective at increasing adherence to behavioral health regimens. The aim of this article was to review the empirical literature on the use of MI to increase adherence to antipsychotics among patients with schizophrenia. Method: A literature review utilizing PubMed and PsycINFO from 1965 to 2006 was conducted. Results: The literature review produced only five empirical studies which utilized MI to increase antipsychotic adherence. Two studies found an increase in antipsychotic adherence following the MI-based intervention, while the other three found no change in adherence. Conclusions: The small sample of studies and the methodological limitations of each made it difficult to draw any meaningful conclusions. Suggestions to address these methodological issues in future research are provided.

Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselors’ Attitudes and Resources for Integrating Research and Practice

The state of Wisconsin recently launched a Research-to-Practice Initiative. One aspect of the Wisconsin initiative was to survey Wisconsin-Certified Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Counselors (CADCs) to assess their attitudes, reported practices, and resources in regard to the integration of research and practice. The sample for the present study included 366 CADCs. Of the 366 respondents, 62 percent (n = 226) were female and 38 percent (n = 140) were male. The respondents were primarily Caucasian (90 percent) with the remaining respondents identifying as African American (4 percent), Native American (2 percent), Hispanic (1 percent), and Asian American (0.5 percent). The results from the survey indicated that the majority of respondents have access to computers, e-mail, and the Internet at their workplace; report being “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their education and training; and tend to approve of the efforts to integrate research and practice. Incentives, barriers and strategies to integrate research and practice are discussed.

Performance of a Brief Assessment Tool for Identifying Substance Use Disorders

ObjectivesEvaluation of the performance of a brief assessment tool for identifying substance use disorders. The Triage Assessment for Addictive Disorders (TAAD) is a triage instrument that provides professionals with a tool to evaluate indications of current substance use disorders in accordance with the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. The TAAD is a 31-item structured interview that addresses both alcohol and other drug issues to discriminate among those with no clear indications of a diagnosis, those with definite, current indications of abuse or dependence, and those with inconclusive diagnostic indications. MethodsEmploying a sample of 1325 women between the ages of 18 and 60, reliability estimates and problem profiles produced by the TAAD were evaluated. ResultsThe Cronbach alpha coefficients for internal consistency for both the alcohol and drug dependence scales were .92. The alpha coefficients for the alcohol and drug abuse scales were .83 and .84 respectively. The diagnostic profiles elicited from the TAAD indicate that alcohol and drug dependences are the more definitive and distinct syndromes compared with the abuse syndromes. DiscussionThe diagnostic profiles from this sample are consistent with previous research. The Cronbach alpha coefficients suggest that the TAAD provides an internally consistent index for alcohol and drug dependence and abuse. Implications for use in clinical practice and the need for further research regarding the psychometric properties of the TAAD are discussed.