ABSTRACT
A set of bipolar semantic differential type adjective scales were constructed to assess five mood states. The response format chosen serves to control for response bias, reduces the number of items by half, and measures both positive and negative affect. Each of the six bipolar mood states hypothesized was defined by seven five-point items. Two studies were conducted on samples of high school boys (N = 210); both confirmed the presence of five mood factors: Cheerful-Depressed, Energetic-Tired, Good natured-Grouchy, Confident-Unsure, and Relaxed-Anxious. The mood state factors isolated were compared with the scales in the Eight State Questionnaire and Bipolar POMS.
Subject(s)
Mood Disorders/psychology , Semantic Differential , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Male , Psychometrics , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
Two scales were constructed to assess self-esteem, conceptualized as reflecting (a) feelings of competence and efficacy, and (b) perceived positive appraisal from significant others. To control for response bias a paired choice format was chosen for the items constructed. A buffer scale designed to measure social assertiveness was also included. Data were collected on three samples of high school boys. The item intercorrelations were subjected to principal component analyses followed by Varimax rotations. In each of the three analyses factors of Confidence, Popularity (Social Approval), and Social Assertiveness emerged. The revised self-esteem scales, each defined by 11 items, have been shown to have acceptable reliability and some concurrent validity based on correlations with the well-known Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.
ABSTRACT
While juvenile delinquents (JDs) and status offenders (CINS) are considered distinctive legally and treated as though they were different in the juvenile justice system, there is little empirical evidence to support either differences or similarities psychologically. The present study examines intake and outcome data based on 96 JDs and CINS cases who remained in the community. The two groups' family structure, recidivism, and grade termination in school were found to be more similar than dissimilar. However, there was a tendency toward a more negative relationship between CINS and their mothers than between JDs and their mothers, while relationships with fathers were similar for the two groups. Significant, and perhaps related, findings were that more parents of CINS than JDs had previously been involved in psychotherapy and that CINS were removed from home with greater frequency than JDs. Family structure was found to be related to removal from home. Suggestions for treatment are offered.
