Processing of threat-related information in rape victims
Article Abstract:
The influence of cognitive psychology, with its focus on thought patterns and their effects on mood and behavior, on the study of psychiatric disorders has been such that many believe cognitive structures can be learned and that they influence how people react to situations. It is also suggested by cognitive theory that the learning that forms cognitive structures is ongoing. Therefore, exposure to trauma can influence cognitive structures, which in turn will influence behavior. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one example of an illness that proponents of a cognitive model of psychology would say produces maladaptive cognitive structures. To test this theory, three groups of women were presented with four lists of words. The words were categorized as rape-related, general threat, neutral, or nonwords and they were shown to 15 rape victims with PTSD, 13 rape victims without PTSD, and 16 nontraumatized controls. The subjects were asked to name the color of each word, which was shown in color on a computer monitor. It was found that rape victims suffering from PTSD took more time to respond to rape-related words than to other words. There were no time differences across word groups for the other women. It is suggested that trauma alone is not necessarily sufficient to alter cognitive structures, but an ongoing psychiatric illness (such as PTSD) can have this effect. This is important in that it emphasizes the need to treat psychiatric disorders quickly to minimize the formation of maladaptive cognitive structures. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Abnormal Psychology
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0021-843X
Year: 1991
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The validation of a new obsessive-compulsive disorder scale: the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory
Article Abstract:
An assessment of the psychometrics of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (OCI) revealed its satisfactory reliability and validity as an efficient self-report measure that can be used for diagnostic screening, symptom profiling and severity determination of psychological illnesses. The psychometrics of OCI which were studied included scale construction and content validity, reliability and convergent and discriminant validity.
Publication Name: Psychological Assessment
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 1040-3590
Year: 1998
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Factor structure of the Yale-Brown obsessive compulsive scale
Article Abstract:
The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) is commonly used to measure the severity of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). A study looked at the underlying dimensions of the Y-BOCS, using a confirmatory factor analysis of the scale based on patient responses. A 2-factor model of OCD symptoms is supported by the results.
Publication Name: Psychological Assessment
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 1040-3590
Year: 1997
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