Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an empirically supported cognitive behavioral therapy. The ACT model is designed around a set of six core processes utilized to increase psychological flexibility. Engagement with values, one of the six core processes, is associated with several indicators of well-being. However, recent reviews of ACT values measures from experts in the field raised concerns that current instruments do not adequately assess the values process. The current study examined the structure and psychometric properties of a new values measure, titled the Valued Living Questionnaire—Online version (VLQ-O), that was developed from considerations raised in these reviews. The results of an EFA indicated that the VLQ-O produced a three-factor structure comprised of Values Flexibility, Values Inflexibility, and Values Obligations. The Activity and Preferred Activity scores did not load consistently onto any discernable factor. The subscales of the VLQ-O produced poor internal consistency. The scores for Activity and Values Flexibility subscales correlated positively with measures of well-being and negatively with measures of psychological distress. Additionally, these subscales were significantly positively related to MPFI Flexibility and VQ Progress and well as negatively related to MPFI Inflexibility and VQ Obstruction. Values Inflexibility and Values Obligation correlated positively with measures of psychological distress and negatively with measures of well-being. The Values Obligation subscale did not correlate with social desirability. Multiple subscales of the VLQ-O demonstrated significant correlations with multiple subscales of the BFI. Additionally, the VLQ-O established predictive validity for measures of psychological distress and well-being. Further, it established improvements in predictive validity for flourishing and psychological distress when compared to the Valuing Questionnaire (VQ). Overall, the findings from this study provide some supportive preliminary evidence for the validity of the VLQ-O.

The purpose of the current study was to examine an ACT based intervention and its effects on problem behaviors and impulsivity rates displayed by individuals diagnosed with Mild Intellectual Disabilities. In a multiple baseline design with 2 experiments, 6 participants completed the 27-item monetary choice questionnaire weekly throughout the 9-week study. Impulsivity rates were calculated, and behavior data was collected throughout each phase of the study. During the intervention phase of the study brief ACT sessions were conducted 3 times a week during one-on-one sessions with each participant. Sessions were held face-to-face or via phone call. A stacked multiple baseline design was computed, and the data was inputted, indicating that ACT may effectively reduce problem behaviors in participants diagnosed with Mild Intellectual Disabilities. The current study suggests that ACT interventions have no effect on impulsivity. Implications of the findings and future research are discussed. Keywords: ACT, Impulsivity, Delay Discounting, Intellectual Disability, Monetary Choice Questionnaire

Protein is an important component of bone, but the role of dietary protein intake in osteoporosis remains controversial. The Utah picture-sort food frequency questionnaire was found to produce a useful estimation of usual dietary intake in the elderly. This method of dietary assessment was used in a population-based case-control study to examine the relationship between protein intake and risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in elderly Utah residents. Analyses of risk of hip fracture across increasing quartiles of protein intake were stratified by age-group. Higher protein intake was associated with a reduced risk of hip fracture in men and women aged 50-69 years but did not appear to increase or decrease risk of hip fracture in those aged 70-89 years. The relationship appeared to be modified by age. Modification of protein intake late in life may be a useful means to prevent hip fractures in the elderly.

The mailed questionnaire research process developed historically as part of the survey research movement, with guidelines and models drawn from an array of scientific research methods and disciplines. Although the mailed questionnaire has become one of the most popular research instruments for obtaining data beyond the reach of the observer, the response bias generated from the generally low return rate of the mailed questionnaire survey has remained a problem. For over three decades researchers have generated a plethora of research on the effectiveness of the various aspects of the mailed questionnaire process and the resultant impact of various constructs on survey return . But despite these efforts, researchers have not succeeded collectively in producing a clear, compelling, or consistent set of principles that, if followed, will produce high response rates in mailed questionnaire research . With the certainty that more knowledge and constructs will be generated in all areas of the mailed questionnaire process, scholars have issued a call for a viable theory to direct future research efforts on response rates . Therefore, the purpose of this study was to address that need . The dissertation research reported in this paper accomplished five major objectives. It (a) developed an interdisciplinary theoretical framework for the mailed questionnaire process; (b) identified 13 determinants of response costs in the mailed questionnaire process; (c) proposed immediacy and salience as the most significant determinant variables of response rates, from a synthesis of the research literature with the theoretical framework; (d) proposed a theory and theoretical model that explain and illustrate the interaction of immediacy and salience in determining response rate levels; and (e) recommended a method for testing the proposed theory and for utilizing the proposed theory to achieve high response rates in future mailed questionnaire studies.

The study examined (a) which single technique (cover letter sponsorship, personalization, anonymity, or appeal) is most effective in increasing response rates with mail questionnaires, and (b) which combination of these selected techniques is most effective in increasing such response rates. Questionnaires concerning faculty evaluation were sent to a national sample of professors. The present study found that identification of a university as the sponsor of the survey resulted in a significantly higher response rate than that obtained when the survey was sponsored by a private research institute. There was a significant increase in response rates when the cover letter was personalized, as opposed to an unpersonalized form letter. There were no significant differences in response rates attributable to (a) wether respondents were assured anonymity, and (b) the type of appeal used in the cover letter (personal or professional appeal). No significant interactions were found among any of the four techniques investigated. It was concluded from this study that judicious selection of the survey sponsor and use of cover letter personalization can improve the response rates of a mail questionnaire significantly, at least with the type of population and questionnaire significantly, at least with the type of population and questionnaire topic used in this study.

The OQ-45.2 (Outcome Questionnaire-45.2) is a measure of psychological distress that examines patients' emotional states and level of functioning in society. This measure was administered at admission and discharge to inpatients at a level II trauma center with in- and outpatient populations in addition to the BBHI-2 (Brief Battery for Health Improvement-2) and FIM (Functional Independence Measure). Results suggested that patients demonstrated psychological improvements from admission to discharge. In addition, the OQ-45.2 was found to correlate with nearly all subtests of the BBHI-2. Finally, diagnosis, length of stay, and number of psychotherapy sessions were not predictive of improvements on the OQ-45.2 total score, suggesting that this measure can be appropriately used on a heterogeneous medical population.

Objective: To assess the effect of upward feedback on the perception gap of manager-rated and subordinate-rated managerial behavior scores using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). Design: Phase I questionnaires assessed the use of upward (subordinate to manager) feedback and were used to form Feedback and Comparison groups. Phase II questionnaires included feedback, attitudinal, and demographic questions and the MLQ. MLQ scores were compared between the two groups. Subjects/setting: Directors of Food and Nutrition Services and Clinical Nutrition Managers and their respective subordinates in a hospital setting. Statistical analyses performed: General Linear Model (using SAS Version 9.2, Cary, NC) was used to determine the relationships between MLQ scores and questions of interest. Results: Upward feedback practices in both the Feedback and Communication groups did not correspond to the Phase I reports. Feedback managers did not have higher MLQ scores based on feedback group, manager tenure, and manager implementation of feedback. Managers whose subordinates who enjoyed their jobs had higher subordinate-rated MLQ scores. Conclusions: Policies and practices of upward evaluation methods are not clear and need to be studied further in a hospital dietetics setting.

Research investigating clinical versus actuarial prediction and judgment has consistently demonstrated the superiority of actuarial (statistical) methods. Little research to date has directly compared clinical and actuarial predictions in the context of patient-focused psychotherapy outcomes. The most relevant study on this issue was completed with an adult population and results indicated that the actuarial method was significantly more accurate at predicting client treatment failure compared to clinician’s predictions. This study examined clinical versus actuarial prediction of client deterioration in a sample of children and adolescents receiving treatment in a managed care and community mental health setting. Predictions of treatment failure made by the actuarial method were found to be significantly more accurate than predictions of treatment failure made by clinicians. More specifically, participating clinicians did not make a single prediction of treatment failure. These findings add further evidence to support the use of actuarial methods in enhancing clinical decision-making in community-based mental health services for children and adolescents.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Many factors influence the response rate of a survey or questionnaire. The BYU alumni questionnaire was initially a lengthy survey with over 200 questions. After a short version of the questionnaire was created and administered, response rates appear to have increased substantially. Male respondents appear particularly more inclined to respond to the shortened version compared to the long version. The questionnaire is examined through various statistical analyses and compared between the short and long versions. Results are presented in the context of existing research on response rates and response quality.