Findings from a study of 127 outpatients with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus indicate that self-efficacy and outcome expectations are moderately strong predictors of self-care in the exercise regimen, but weaker predictors in the dietary and glucose testing areas. (IAH)

Examined stability and predictive validity of Boehm Test of Basic Concepts-Revised (Boehm-R). Administered Boehm-R to 58 Black urban kindergartners in fall. In spring, children were reevaluated on Boehm-R, 2 criteria of academic achievement and 2 criteria of learning-related classroom behavior. Results showed appreciable test-retest reliability…

Assessed predictive validity of telephone version of Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test in couples (N=120) who varied in marital happiness, social class, and other demographic characteristics. Found Locke-Wallace scores predictive of husband/wife marital adjustment scores and distressed/nondistressed marital status. (Author/CM)

A model was developed for estimating individuals' true changes on test scores using the additional information provided by an auxiliary variable correlated with a trait being measured. This provides an improved and more precise estimate when compared with simple difference scores. It involves the reliability of "X" scores only. (SLD)

How the validity of gain scores varies with the standard deviations of pretest and posttest scores and the correlation between the two are analyzed. Earlier findings that under realistic testing conditions difference scores can have excellent predictive value are supported. Conditions under which gain scores have optimum validity are specified.…

Examined the differential diagnostic potential of the Scales of Independent Behavior (SIB) using 479 subjects, including nonretarded, educable mentally retarded, and trainable mentally retarded subjects. Demonstrated support for use of SIB as a significant contributor to the process of differential diagnosis. (Author/ABL)

An instrument to measure cocaine-related expectancies across a continuum of use, the Cocaine Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ), was developed and tested with 765 college students and 87 cocaine abusers. Expectancy factors identified by the CEQ were found to be powerful predictors of cocaine use. (SLD)

Presents data from two studies determining the validity of various measures of physical activity in preschool children. One explored how certain measures of activity predicted observed behavior. The other examined the Caltrac motion sensor's predictive validity. Results indicate the Caltrac monitor is sensitive to children's individual differences…

Controlling for early sensorimotor differences, found that high levels of distress and anger expressed by children at age three months predicted low cognitive scores at four years. Controlling for early emotional and sensorimotor differences, found that high levels of maternal responsiveness in the same group of children predicted high cognitive…

Demonstrates difficulty in proving medium-term and long-term effects of career maturity on career adjustment and the connection with research and theoretical shortcomings. Presents empirical evidence supporting self-concept orientation in choice of present major and realization of preferences acts as mediating factors between career development…

Before a statistics course, 49 adults completed the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised (WRAT-R). Test performance (aptitude) and course performance correlated, but the WRAT-R made prediction errors 35% of the time. Students with negative attitudes about statistics performed more poorly in the course. (SK)

Examines the ideology and expectations of early screening for linguistic difficulties in young children, discusses effective intervention, and presents an alternative to screening: formative assessment. (SK)

Quantitative and verbal scores on the Task-Specific Occupational Self-Efficacy Scale (TSOSS) for 362 undecided freshmen were correlated with Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores and grade point average. Quantitative TSOSS scores correlated with SAT quantitative scores but did not predict quantitative academic performance. Verbal TSOSS scores…

Assesses Adolescent Concerns Evaluation (ACE), an instrument that has the potential to identify youths who are at risk of running away. Preliminary evidence suggests that ACE is a reliable tool and it may help social workers determine treatment goals and measure treatment progress in their work with runaway youths. (Author/JDM)

Several recent studies are identified that used expert ratings of the job performance of certified professionals as a validation criterion. These studies showed a strong relationship between expert ratings and certification, but were susceptible to alternative interpretations due to design constraints. Inclusion of control constructs is presented…