Examined background and personality characteristics associated with low and high self-esteem in the elderly by studying 250 men and women age 65 and older. Results indicated the low self-esteem group had poorer self-reported health, higher scores on depression, anxiety, somatization, and a more external locus of control orientation. (Author)

Describes the development and validation of an index of empathy for use with children and adolescents. Fifty-six first-graders, 115 fourth graders, and 87 seventh graders were studied. (Author/RH)

The Sixteen Personality Factor questionnaire and the California Psychological Inventory were administered to (N=42) Roman Catholic seminarians and (N=42) male Protestant divinity students. Data analysis indicated that the Catholics were significantly more dependent, more group-reliant, more feminine, less assertive, and less-accepting than the…

Analyzed the Matching Familiar Figures Test, which has been employed by researchers to determine conceptual tempo, for potential use as a tool for the clinician. Discusses the psychological factors inherent in impulsivity. Suggests the primary deficits are a lack of norms as well as an alternate form. (Author)

Examined the validity of an instrument designed to assess trainees' Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) skills. Results show graduate clinical psychology students with advanced MMPI expertise more accurately described a patient based on his MMPI than did undergraduates. A second experiment documented this sensitivity to changes in…

Compared the scores of reformatory inmates and technical college students on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Psychological Screening Inventory. Two factors accounted for most of the variance. Neuroticism was common to both groups. The second factor in the delinquent group was extraversion. (Author/JAC)

Studies social personality types and assesses the relationship of Holland's secondary construct of consistency to persistence in college and academic achievement. Results indicated that, for both persisters and nonpersisters in college, subjects with higher levels of consistency achieve higher college grade point averages than subjects with lower…

Hypothesized that career indecision affects career-counseling effectiveness. Undergraduate clients (N=149) went through a standard counseling process. Clients who "lack structure" gained the most from the treatment while clients who "perceive external barrier" and who experienced "personal conflict" gained the least. (Author/JAC)

Reported a self-report measure of adolescents' assertiveness. Items for the scale were presented to sixth-grade students. Factor analysis revealed factors of submissiveness, aggressiveness, and assertiveness. After the validational study, a small assertiveness training program indicated that training effects were obtained and could be generalized…

Tested hypotheses derived from Beck's cognitive theory of depression. Subjects rated performance before and after receiving feedback on a social interaction task. Results showed depressed males and females had more negative evaluation of present circumstances and poorer memory for feedback. Data were partially supportive of Beck's theory regarding…

Results indicate that (1) social support is the best predictor of secure attachment and is most important for mothers with irritable babies, (2) maternal unresponsiveness is associated with resistance during reunion episodes and appears to be a mechanism through which anxious attachment develops, and (3) social support may mitigate the effects of…

The dyadic interaction of popular and unpopular children was compared. Analysis revealed that unpopular children were more disagreeable and less likely to provide a general reason or rule for their disagreement or to suggest a constructive alternative when criticizing a peer. (Author/MP)

Describes research with 12- to 18-month-old infants (N=108) determining whether the quality of an infant's attachment to his/her primary caregiver could predict the nature of his/her emerging personality. (CS)

Describes research on the causes, treatments, and diagnoses of autism. Describes a statewide outpatient program in North Carolina which includes elements of behavior modification, developmental assessment, problem-oriented goal setting, community support, and the training of both child and parent. (Author/DS)

Examined race and sex differences in personality profile among nursing students. The Self Directed Search was administered to students entering baccalaureate nursing programs. Results generally supported Holland's typology. Race and sex differences in SDS codes were not significant. Some differences were found in socioeconomic characteristics.…