This study tested the proposal that negative appraisals represent a risk factor for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after trauma. Trainee firefighters (N = 68) were assessed during training (before trauma exposure) for PTSD, history of traumatic events, and tendency to engage in negative appraisals. Firefighters were reassessed 4…

Anger is a common problem in trauma-exposed individuals. This study investigated factors that contribute to post-traumatic anger in civilian trauma survivors. Fifty-one trauma-exposed individuals were assessed for expressed anger, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), daily hassles, maladaptive cognitions and blame. PTSD and non-PTSD participants…

Presents two studies designed to examine the self-report of depressive symptoms in low back pain patients (N=134). Both studies found that patients were more likely to report somatic than cognitive symptoms of depression. Patients with multiple physical findings were not more likely to report somatic symptoms than patients with few physical…

Examined the congruence between conventional cutoff scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and selected diagnostic classifications of the Research Diagnostic Criteria in a sample of 102 elders seeking psychological treatment. Findings supported the utility of the BDI as a screening instrument for identification of clinically depressed…

Investigated the reliability, validity, and factor structure of the standard 21-item and short 13-item forms of the Beck Depression Inventory. The sample consisted of 163 participants in a methadone maintenance program. Results support the use of the short form as a reliable and valid brief screening measure of depression. (Author)

Studies have shown that women have lower expectations for success than men. This paper presents the results of four hypotheses which address depression and gender differences in self-perception: (1) depressed subjects are more accurate in their self-perceptions than non-depressed subjects; (2) self-consistency tendencies can predict gender…

Dissatisfaction with body image among women has become a major psychological and physical contemporary problem. This study is among the few to empirically suggest that overall body satisfaction is strongly related to perceived discrepancy of one's body image from ideal societal standards of attractiveness. This study also identifies the personal…