Psychological assessment has a long history to be used for diagnostic purposes for all ages. This traditional model of assessment has been common for decades, but has not emphasized some important aspects of best practice (Brenner, 2003). To address the limitations of the information gathering model of assessment, collaborative and therapeutic approaches to assessment have been developed over the past several decades (e.g. Finn & Thonsager, 1997; Fischer, 1970). Therapeutic Assessment (TA) emphasizes the opportunity to provide positive changes in the client and their system by involving the client throughout the assessment process, and establishing a meaningful and collaborative relationship between assessor and client (Finn, 2007). The TA has been found to produce many positive impacts on client’s assessment experiences in mainstream American culture. It is important to note how these positive impacts transfer to clients of different cultures. Thus the purpose of this study will be to investigate the effect of acculturation on Asian American parents’ perception of existing models of child assessment. This study will examine the relations between acculturation and perception of assessment models (information gathering model versus Therapeutic Assessment) among Chinese American parents. / text

As escolas públicas têm procurado psicólogos da rede pública e particular para realizarem avaliações psicológicas em várias crianças com histórias de fracasso escolar. Muitas são as críticas já formuladas em relação às práticas da saúde, cúmplices da produção do fracasso escolar, que focalizam seu olhar na criança encaminhada culpando-a pelo seu fracasso. Essas críticas revelam que as causas desse fracasso são encontradas nos mecanismos institucionais e nas relações que perpassam o dia-a-dia das escolas públicas. Este trabalho tem como objetivo construir uma forma de avaliar e problematizar as relações, os campos de forças nos quais ocorrem os encaminhamentos de crianças para avaliação psicológica e descrever essa realidade. Foram-nos encaminhados 139 alunos de 22 escolas estaduais (da 14a DE-SP). O processo de avaliação, realizado nas escolas, consistiu em pesquisar a história escolar das crianças, as características de suas salas de aula, os bastidores do encaminhamento, as versões das professoras, pais e crianças, os efeitos das ações da escola sobre as crianças e a expectativa da escola em relação ao trabalho do psicólogo. Foram entregues relatórios sobre as crianças e as escolas contendo essas informações, nosso objetivo e concepções. Várias crianças encaminhadas eram consideradas \"lentas\" por suas professoras. Em 33,1% dos casos foi pedido laudo para enviar as crianças para a classe especial. A maioria dos encaminhamentos (88,4%) eram explicados, pelas professoras, através de mitos que foram problematizados com elas. A expectativa em relação ao trabalho foi que se realizasse uma avaliação individual da criança em 59,7% dos casos e um trabalho de interlocução com as professoras em 32,4%. Foi frequente o sentimento de incapacidade nas crianças e de solidão nas professoras. As justificativas utilizadas para enviar as crianças para avaliação estavam relacionadas em 18,0% dos casos a questões institucionais e em 82,0%, a motivos individuais. Destes últimos, 84,2% não apresentaram, durante nosso trabalho, as atitudes referidas pelas professoras como justificativas para o encaminhamento. A expectativa de uma avaliação individual da criança, a existência de mitos por parte das professoras e de problemas individuais nas crianças não impedem que o rumo de uma história escolar, que tende para a estigmatização, seja alterado. Há associação estatisticamente significante entre a possibilidade de discutir o trabalho com as professoras e a alteração das relações e histórias escolares. Foi possível problematizar a história escolar de 88,5% das crianças encaminhadas ao se criar estratégias para pensar os encaminhamentos, estabelecendo relações entre as várias versões, as expectativas e apropriações que vão se dando em relação ao trabalho, e as práticas e efeitos que elas encerram. Avaliar é algo que se dá em movimento, sempre produz efeitos. Problematizar a produção de um encaminhamento implica movimentá-lo. / The public schools have looked for psychologists of the public and private sectors to carry out psychological assessment in several children presenting a history of school failure. Many are the criticisms already formulated in relation to the practices of the health service, accomplices of the production of the school failure, which focus their attention on the child being advised, blaming her for the failure. These criticisms reveal that the causes of this failure are to be found in the institutional mechanisms and in the relations woven in the day-to-day of the public schools. The objective of this work is to build a form to assess and render as a problem the relations, the fields of forces, in which the children are referred to a psychological assessment and describe this reality. 139 students of 22 state schools have been directed to our care. The process of assessment, carried out in the schools, consisted in researching the school history of the children, the characteristics of their classrooms, the background for their being referred, the version of the teachers, parents and children, the effects on children of the actions taken by the school and the expectation of the school with regard to the work of the psychologist. Several children being advised were considered \"slow\"by their teachers. 33,1% of the cases an appraisal to send the children to a special class has been asked. 88,4% were explained, by the teachers, through myths which were rendered as a problem together with them. The expectation with regard to the work was that an individual assessment of the child be carried out in 59,7% of the cases and a work of interlocution with the teachers in 32,4%.. The feeling of incapacity in the children and loneliness in the teachers was frequently reported. The explanations used to send the children to an assessment were related in 18,0% of the cases to institutional issues and in 82,0% of the cases to individual reasons.Out of the latter, 84,2% did not present, during our work, the attitudes referred to by the teachers as accounting for their being advised. The expectation of an individual assessment of the child, the existence of myths on the teachers side and of individual problems in the children do not prevent that the destiny of a school history, which tends to stigmatization, be altered. There is statistically significant association between the possibility of discussing the work with the teachers and the alteration of relations and the school histories. It was possible to render as a problem the school history of 88,5% of the children advised by creating strategies to think the fact of their being directed, establishing relations among the several versions, the expectations and appropriations which occur in relation to the work, and the practices and effects they encompass. Assessing is something which happens in movement, it always yields effects. To render as a problem the act of referring a child to an assessment means to give movement to it.

A Psicologia do Esporte é uma especialidade da Psicologia. A prática tem sido produzida junto aos técnicos, atletas e demais membros da equipe de esporte e tem conquistado uma constante valorização do conhecimento produzido, mas o reconhecimento pleno ainda está distante de ser alcançado. Os estudos da liderança do técnico são uma das vertentes das pesquisas atuais por ser uma variável de grande influência sobre o desempenho dos atletas e no clima motivacional dos treinamentos e das competições em si. A presente Dissertação teve como objetivo verificar os estilos de liderança e a flexibilidade de estilos em técnicos esportivos de modalidades coletivas, utilizando-se o Teste de Liderança Situacional (TLS) desenvolvido por Agostinho Minicucci com base na teoria 3D de Reddin. Foram comparados os resultados obtidos entre uma amostra de 23 técnicos de categorias de base (formação) e uma amostra de 12 técnicos de equipes adultas (alto nível). Para as análises estatísticas, a diferença entre as médias foi realizada através do teste t de Student (grupos independentes), adotando-se um nível de significância de 5%. Os resultados mostraram que a maioria dos técnicos (56% formação e 75% alto nível) utilizam como estilo de liderança dominante o estilo integrado, que é quando o comportamento orientado para a tarefa e o comportamento orientado para as relações são utilizados em grande quantidade. Observou-se também que o estilo de sustentação adotado por ambos os grupos é o estilo relacionado, sendo que o estilo separado é o estilo menos valorizado, também por ambos os grupos. Embora os resultados indiquem uma concordância dos grupos em relação aos estilos dominante, de sustentação e sobre-rechaçado, verificou-se que os técnicos de alto nível, em suas respostas, utilizam com maior intensidade o estilo integrado (p<0,05) e dedicado (p<0,10). Quanto à flexibilidade com que os grupos apresentam os variados estilos de liderança, observou-se que os técnicos de alto nível possuem uma tendência a serem mais rígidos em seu estilo dominante em relação aos técnicos das equipes de formação. Os estilos de liderança, assim identificados, podem ser ferramentas estratégicas do psicólogo do esporte para que este possa auxiliar de modo eficaz uma melhor condução da relação técnico-atleta como integrantes de um par educativo. / Sports Psychology is a Psychology specialty that has been developed in conjunction with coaches, athletes and other members of the sports team. The resulting knowledge has been gaining increasing acceptance, but is still far from being fully recognized. Studies in coaching leadership constitute one of the branches of current research, given that this variable has an enormous influence on athletic performance and the motivational climate of training sessions and actual competitions. The objective of this paper is to identify leadership styles and their flexibility in coaches of team sports using the Situational Leadership Test (SLT), developed by Agostinho Minicucci based on Reddins 3-D theory. The results from a sample of 23 coaches of base categories (development) and 12 coaches of adult teams (high level) were compared. In the statistical analysis, the difference between the groups was calculated through Pearson\'s chi-square test and the quantitative variables were compared through Student\'s t test (independent groups), with a significance level of 5%. The results show that the dominant leadership style of most coaches (56% in the development category and 75% in the high-level category) is the integrated style, i.e. when both task-oriented and relationship-oriented behaviors are largely used. We also observed that the sustainment style of both groups is the related style, with the separate style being less valued for both groups. Although the results indicate an agreement in the behavior of the groups in relation to dominant, sustainment and most rejected styles, the high-level coaches ave higher grades to the integrated style (p<0.05) and the dedicated style (p<0.10) than those of development coaches. In terms of the flexibility with which the groups present the various leadership styles,it was observed that high-level coaches tend to be stricter in their dominant style than coaches of development teams. Leadership styles, duly identified, may constitute strategic tools for sports psychologists, enabling them to effectively improve coachathlete interaction by treating them as members of an educational pair.

Psychological assessment can be a valuable tool for understanding children’s academic, emotional and behavioural functioning, with treatment recommendations proving to be an integral component of this process. For assessments to be worthwhile and effective, in particular those completed on children, it is important to know whether the treatment recommendations are initiated once received and whether treatment is adhered to once started. At present there is minimal research found, particularly in South Africa which examines whether parents or caregivers adhere to treatment recommendations provided in the assessment report for their children. To bridge this gap the study sought to gain information from parents on whether they implement treatment recommendations provided from a psychological assessment, and, if not, which recommendations have not yet been implemented. The research was also concerned with establishing the various reasons which may promote or impede on follow through of recommendations, making a mixed method design the most appropriate format for this purpose. Both the quantitative and qualitative data collection strategies were implemented using a questionnaire received from a total of 30 participants, who were the parents or caregivers of the children who completed a psychological assessment. The findings of the study indicated a rate of 53% of participants either completing treatments fully or still continuing treatments which were recommended. Factors such as a strong need for assisting the child was found to be one of the aspects which promoted adherence. Other factors included support from family, teachers, doctors and health care workers, the practicality of accessing services, and success of the treatments influencing caregivers to continue with treatments. The high rate of non-adherence (47%) was found to be a result of time and financial resources, caregivers feeling as though the recommended treatments were unnecessary, and caregivers finding it difficult to accept responsibility for attending treatments. These factors seem to form a barrier for many children who should be accessing treatments, thus making it likely that many disorders in children are not being treated appropriately. The results of this study and specifically the factors which promote or impede adherence should be taken into account by psychologists, most importantly when feedback and recommendations are being provided to parents. Although conducted specifically in a psychiatric facility, the study is seen to be beneficial to parents of children who may require psychological assessment and treatment; educational and neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists as well as health care professionals who may use an assessment method as a means to recommend further treatment intervention to parents or caregivers. Future research includes exploring child and parent internal factors such as personality types and psychopathy, and the extent to which parents accept their part in the therapeutic process and are willing to attend therapies involving themselves. In addition, a deeper exploration into the factors which promote adherence is essential to understand how some caregivers, despite time or financial barriers still have the ability to provide the treatments for their children. The results would assist clinicians who are unable to change the barriers to adherence, to work instead on those factors which promote adherence. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Psychology / unrestricted

Although the Rorschach is one of the most widely used psychological assessment techniques, its empirical support has been equivocal. One possible explanation for this lack of empirical support is the tendency for researchers to study only the assessment tool with little regard for the clinician using it. The current study examined one clinician variable (empathy) and its relationship to accuracy of interpretation of the Rorschach. The literature regarding Rorschach theory and research and empathy theory and research was reviewed in an attempt to clarify the similarities between empathy as an important factor in psychotherapy and its importance in the assessment process. The present study measured empathy by using the Davis Empathy Questionnaire and a Taped Excerpt Response Measure.

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No description available.

Therapeutic Assessment (TA) is a semi-structured hybrid of assessment and intervention methods that aims to promote positive change in clients through collaboration. Studies have shown it to be an effective therapeutic intervention, but few studies have focused on adolescents. This comparative study examines the effects of TA, compared with assessment as usual, with an adolescent population. Dependent measures include symptom reduction and components of the assessment experience, specifically self-knowledge, feeling understood by the assessor, positive relationship with the assessor, and negative feelings about the assessment. A repeated measure ANOVA will examine the group effects on symptom reduction, while a MANOVA will be used to determine the effects of TA on the variables of assessment experience. / text

One of the great challenges for positive psychology is that academics, researchers and authors are yet to reach agreement on the terminology, constructs and methodology of the various positive psychological concepts and interventions. One such concept that has been ambiguously and often inconsistently conceptualised is happiness. Interventions that are structured around these conceptualisations have produced mixed results, which are attributable to various aspects such as the unidimensional conceptualisation of the concept, inconsistent measurement, psychometric measuring instruments that have not been validated for the population in question, and fragmented intervention methodologies. Research was, therefore, needed regarding happiness and the development of interventions aimed at increasing happiness. Therefore, this thesis aimed to investigate the concept, manifestation, measurement and development of happiness and positive psychological interventions (PPIs) within a tertiary educational environment. A mixed method research approach was followed to reach the research objectives. The first study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of positive psychological assessment measures, and to determine the relationship between flourishing and academic performance within a tertiary educational institution. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used to address this objective. The Mental Health Continuum Long Form, Positive and Negative Affect Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale were administered and indicated acceptable levels of internal consistency. The MHC-LF would need to be adapted for future studies within the tertiary educational environment. No significant correlations could be established between academic performance and flourishing. However, cross-tabulation indicated some evidence of the impact that flourishing/languishing had on academic performance. Individuals with moderate levels of flourishing typically performed in the „above average‟ to „excelling academically‟ range. Languishing individuals performed at the lower levels of the academic performance spectrum. The results indicated that a large number of individuals within this tertiary educational environment were languishing. Flourishing students experienced higher levels of positive affect and satisfaction with life, as well as lower levels of negative affect than their languishing and moderately flourishing counterparts. The second study aimed to investigate the main streams of research on happiness, the approaches/models flowing from these philosophies and the methodology of happiness interventions. A quantitative meta-analysis of the literature was used to address the aforementioned research objective. Seeing that the literature presents with such incongruent findings regarding the effectiveness of PPIs, research was needed to establish how happiness should be conceptualised, which moderating factors should be addressed in this conceptualisation, and what the content of PPIs should be. A qualitative meta-analysis of the literature indicated that happiness is approached from either a hedonic, eudaimonic or integrated approach. These philosophies gave birth to a stream of scientific literature regarding happiness and its various conceptualisations, namely (a) Subjective well-being; (b) Hedonic well-being; (c) Eudaimonic well-being; (d) Psychological well-being; (e) Flourishing, and (f) Authentic happiness. Furthermore, the results highlighted three causes for failing interventions: (a) unidimensional models/approaches towards happiness, (b) targeting the concept of happiness instead of the mediating factors; and (c) fragmented methodological interventions. The study suggested a multidimensional model for happiness and happiness interventions. Furthermore, the study proposed a multifaceted methodology for happiness interventions, comprising self-administered intentional activities, group-administered interventions and individual coaching. The third study aimed to evaluate a PPI aimed at increasing happiness of students in a tertiary educational institution. A longitudinal pre-experimental research design was used to address the aforementioned research objective. Qualitative data were used to explore the findings further. The results indicated that the overall happiness of a student may be increased through developing individuals on both an emotional and psychological level. The results showed some scientific merit to a multifaceted approach towards PPIs. The PPI affected all the aspects conceptualised in this study except for two components of authenticity, namely authentic behaviour and relational orientations. / PhD, Industrial Psychology, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012

Psychological assessment of mentally disordered offenders requires a systematic consideration of response styles, including malingering and defensiveness. Important components of these evaluations are standardized diagnostic interviews. However, the ability of offenders to feign mental disorders on such measures to achieve such external incentives as treatment, placement on safer units, or possible release from jail remains uninvestigated. With a known-groups comparison with the data from the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms as a criterion, 24 suspected malingerers were compared to 64 genuine patients on the Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS), the abbreviated SADS-C, the Suicide Probability Scale, and the Referral Decision Scale.