Construct Validity of the E-LSRP in a Correctional Sample.

The Expanded-Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (E-LSRP) was developed by Christian and Sellbom to improve on the psychometric properties of scores on the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale. The current study investigated the construct validity of scores on the E-LSRP in 393 male inmates. Results provided support for the reliability and construct validity of E-LSRP scores. Specifically, confirmatory factor analysis results demonstrated support for a three-factor model. Additionally, correlation and multiple regression results provided evidence supporting the convergent and discriminant validity of E-LSRP scores against scores on measures assessing psychopathy-related personality traits (e.g., antagonism, disinhibition) and symptoms of internalizing disorders, respectively. Overall, these findings extend those of previous research by establishing that E-LSRP scores demonstrate validity in assessing psychopathy in correctional settings and thus, may be a useful tool for the assessment of psychopathy in these settings.

Biases in attention and memory for body shape images in eating disorders.

PURPOSE: To investigate attentional and memorial biases towards body shape pictures among female patients with clinical eating disorders and healthy female controls. METHODS: A visual dot-probe task was used to assess attention towards pictures reflecting either a thin, normal, or obese female body shape. Pictures were presented in pairs; each pair depicted two different body shapes and were presented twice. Participant responses were compared across time and population. RESULTS: Overall, the eating disorder patients responded more slowly than controls, F(1,63) = 20.32, p < .001. Both groups showed an attentional bias towards the larger of two body shapes, F(1,63) = 4.30, p = .04, and responded more quickly the second time they viewed the picture pairs, F(1,63) = 33.80, p < .001. Upon second viewing of picture pairs, the eating disorder patients had a larger decrease in reaction time (86 ms) than the control sample (33 ms) only when both pictures included extreme body shapes (thin and obese); the decrease in reaction time when one of the pictures included a normal body shape was the same across groups upon second viewing (eating disorder: 37 ms; control: 32 ms), F(1,63) = 9.32, p = .003. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that individuals with eating disorders may be biased towards recall of dichotomous and/or extreme body shape images. While it remains unclear whether attentional and/or memorial bias is a risk, maintenance, or causal factor in eating disorders, future studies should employ longitudinal, prospective research designs to address these questions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, comparative study.

Understanding Treatment Adherence With the Health Belief Model in Children With Cystic Fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: Children's health beliefs are significantly related to their adherence; however, pediatric literature has rarely tested health-related theories as a whole. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the use of the health belief model (HBM) in understanding children's adherence, both globally and to individual treatment components. METHOD: Thirty-three patient-parent dyads completed questionnaires regarding health beliefs and adherence to medical regimens. RESULTS: Multiple linear regressions found a significant relationship among the HBM variables and reports of global adherence for children and parents. For children, the HBM variables were significantly related to adherence to aerosol medications, aerosol antibiotics, metered dose inhalers, and vitamins. For parents, the HBM variables were significantly related to children's adherence to airway clearance, oral antibiotics, and vitamins. Paired sample t tests found children and parents had significantly discrepant heath beliefs. CONCLUSION: These findings provide further support for the HBM in evaluating pediatric adherence, with evidence that barriers and cues to action may be targets for early intervention. Future research using this model to identify a comprehensive way to assess, understand, and elicit change in the adherence to medical regimens for youth with chronic illness would be beneficial.

Developing undergraduate coursework in autism spectrum disorders.

With rates of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) continuing to rise alongside improvements in early identification and treatment, service providers are in great demand. Providing undergraduate students with opportunities for education and applied experiences with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can help fill a valuable niche in the autism community. This paper will propose standards for best practice in educating undergraduates about autism spectrum disorders through coursework and practicum experiences.

Impact of age and gender on adherence to infection control guidelines and medical regimens in cystic fibrosis.

RATIONALE: The goal of the present research was to examine the impact of age and gender on adherence to both infection control (IC) guidelines and traditional medical treatments in a cystic fibrosis (CF) population. Adherence behaviors are consistently suboptimal in chronic illness populations, particularly pulmonary diseases; understanding the factors related to adherence behaviors in CF can aid in the development of interventions to promote adherence. METHOD: Participants consisted of 74 individuals with CF ages 9 years and above. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires designed to assess demographic data, treatment adherence, and health beliefs. RESULTS: With respect to IC guidelines, chi-square analyses revealed significant age differences in adherence behaviors such that the young adult subsample was least adherent to IC (χ2 = 15.10, df = 6, P = 0.020). Next, a 4 (age: child, adolescent, young adult, adult) × 2 (gender) completely between subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted on medical treatment adherence. There was a significant main effect for age [F(3, 65) = 2.940, P = 0.040, ηP2 = 0.119] indicating that the adolescent subsample had the most adherence challenges. Gender was nonsignificant across both adherence types. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings are suggestive of age-related differences in adherence behaviors across both IC and medical regimens and support the use of developmentally sensitive approaches to assessment and interventions addressing adherence.

Compliance in cystic fibrosis: an examination of infection control guidelines.

The goal of this research was to begin the process of evaluating acceptability of infection control (IC) recommendations to CF patients and their families, determine whether compliance with IC guidelines differs from compliance with traditional CF medical treatment with respect to the variables predictive of compliance, and assess which patients are most likely to comply with IC recommendations. Participants were recruited during routine outpatient visits at a regional CF center located in a pediatric hospital. The sample included 44 child and adolescent patients, aged 9-18 years and their guardian, and 27 adult patients. All patients completed questionnaires and interviews. Results of this preliminary study suggest that many individuals with CF are unaware of or unconcerned with the risks involved in infection transmission via social contact with other CF patients. Further, most participants reported that they could benefit from friendships with other CF patients. Health belief variables were found to be predictive of compliance with both IC guidelines and traditional medical treatments in the adult and parent sample, but not in the child sample. Possible explanations for study findings are discussed and recommendations for future research on IC compliance are highlighted.