Differences in problematic behavior of 50 Hispanic and 50 Anglo hospitalized inpatients of the Colorado State Hospital were assessed, using a list of 62 problem variables constructed from individual case records. Results indicated that socioeconomic conditions alone are insufficient in explaining the prevalence of mental illness within the…

The effects of long and short durations of positive practice overcorrection were studied with one moderately retarded and four severely retarded children (10 to 13 years old). The short and long practice durations (30 seconds and three minutes) produced equally rapid reduction of off-task behavior and acquisition of correct object placement…

Tested for a link between Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale scores and personality style by comparing WAIS scores with Rorschach Experience Balance scores in two studies using 47 children and 188 psychiatric patients. Statistical analyses showed no significant relationships, indicating lack of a common factor underlying the measures. (WAS)

Examined factors related to the self-concept of institutionalized male drug abusers (N=140). The Tennessee Self Concept Scale, a family questionnaire, and an interview were administered. Results yielded several predictors of self-concept, including parent-adolescent relationship, number of prior status offenses, and preference for nondepressant…

Compared the performance of institutionalized and noninstitutionalized older adults in five negative transfer studies. Results showed that, in general, the performance of institutionalized old people resembled that of brain-damaged amnesic patients tested under similar conditions; old people living at home generally behaved more like normal, young…

The collaboration between Camp Partlow in Alabama and the University of Alabama special education department provides college students the opportunity to experience firsthand as camp counselors the daily needs of handicapped persons and to provide a unique and beneficial experience for the campers. (ERB)

Discrimination learning, memory, and transfer capacity were assessed in 56 institutionalized moderately to severely retarded adults to provide information on trainability. Generally, the higher functioning Ss, defined by IQ and adaptive behavior learned more rapidly than did the lower functioning Ss. (Author/SW)

Examined closed patient files for scores from the Psychological Screening Inventory between 1977-1979. Files (N=123) were assessed for suicidal inclination in five categories, ranging from "no suicidal ideation" to "serious attempt." Results yielded a significant value for "discomfort," with lower discomfort scores…

Assessed and compared the interpretive accuracy of the standard Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and two MMPI short forms with a sample of geriatric psychiatric inpatients. Psychiatric teams evaluated the accuracy of the interpretation. Standard form interpretations were rated significantly greater than the interpretations…

Compared vocabulary and block design subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and its Puerto Rican counterpart, the Escala de Inteligencia Wechsler para Adultos (EIWA), in hospitalized Latins and Trans-Caribbean Blacks. EIWA scores were significantly higher than WAIS scores. Equivalence of EIWA and WAIS estimates is questioned.…

Families care for their elderly even when the burden is enormous, suffer guilt when institutionalization becomes necessary, and maintain contact after institutionalization. Policies must be developed to reduce premature institutionalization, help families cope with the process when it becomes necessary, and provide institutional care to those…

In an examination of methodological issues involved in interviewing retarded persons, alternatively worded or structured questions were embedded in interviews with 52 severely, moderately, and mildly retarded institutionalized children (11 to 17 years old). (Author)

Significant differences were found in three of the behavior categories: more institutionalized children exhibited stereotyped behavior which decreased with age for home children, and children living at home exhibited more appropriate communication behaviors and more appropriate other behaviors. (DB)