Thesis (M.A.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Title from PDF of title page. Document formatted into pages; contains 89 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 89 pages. / Thesis (M.A.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: Due to the increasing demands of third-party payers to show measurable results in a decreased amount of time, mental health practitioners need new tools and techniques to quickly and efficiently assess their client's current status and progress in treatment. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a brief computerized measure of emotional states and personality traits for use as an assessment tool in a clinical setting. Adapted from the State-Trait Personality Inventory (STPI; Spielberger, 1998), the computerized instrument measured state and trait anxiety, anger, depression, and curiosity. The computerized STPI was examined for equivalence with the traditional STPI and compared with therapists' ratings of their clients' emotional states and personality traits. Forty individuals (24 women, 16 men) in psychotherapy were administered either a computerized version of the STPI or the original, paper version. / ABSTRACT: Each client's therapist was asked to rate him or her on the same 4 states and 4 traits measured by the STPI. In addition, clients and therapists answered short questionnaires regarding their reactions to the STPI and the client report generated by the STPI, respectively. [BR][BR] A comparison of mean STPI scale scores between the computerized and paper administration groups showed slightly higher levels of reported state emotion for the computerized administration. There was no other evidence of differences between the two experimental groups. Therapists who had previously conducted assessment with their client demonstrated a significantly higher correlation of their ratings with the corresponding client STPI self-reported scores. Feedback from the client and therapist exit questionnaires suggested that their reactions to the procedure and the usefulness of the STPI were quite favorable. / ABSTRACT: Implications of increasing the use of computers in clinical assessment are discussed. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oxford Graduate School, 2001. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 420-447).

In Primary Aldosteronism (PAL) excessive amounts of aldosterone cause sodium and water retention and, in many individuals, this leads to moderate to severely high blood pressure. Although the chemistry and physiology are increasingly well understood, including the outcomes of treatment on physical health, there has been no systematic study of the psychological dimension of PAL. Anecdotally, patients exhibit symptoms such as angry outbursts, irritability, anxiety and defensiveness, and partners of these patients sometimes mention poor anger control and brittle or unpredictable moods. This thesis reports a systematic study of anger and anxiety among patients undergoing treatment for PAL. Eighty-three patients were recruited over an 11-month period to a prospective, pre-post design study to determine if treatment was associated with change in psychological state. Participants completed the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-2), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS) questionnaires. Adrenal Vein Sampling confirmed overproduction of aldosterone in one or both adrenal glands. Patients with Aldosterone Producing Adenoma (APA) were offered adrenalectomy. As per usual treatment protocols, patients with Bilateral Adrenal Hyperplasia (BAH) were prescribed spironolactone or amiloride depending predominantly on severity of blood pressure and potassium levels. Post-test questionnaires were completed after 6-8 months. Analysis was by mixed design (between-within subjects) ANOVA. Participant numbers in the adrenalectomy group fell far short of expectations. Fourteen past patients who had undergone unilateral adrenalectomy completed a retrospective semi-structured questionnaire. This qualitative data was analysed to identify themes similar to quantitative data. At baseline, 'non-completers' (ie those who did not complete the post-test; n=19), were significantly more angry than 'completers' (n=50) in State Anger (p< .01), Trait Anger (p< .05) and Anger Expression Index (p< .001). Trait Anxiety was also higher (p< .05), as was Psychological Distress (p< .05). Among those who participated at both interviews, there was small but statistically significant adverse treatment effect with higher scores for State Anger (p< .05), and Feeling Angry (p< .05). However for Trait Anger (p< .01), and 2 of its 3 sub-scales Angry Temperament (p< .05) and Angry Reaction (p< .01) there was a slight to moderate decrease in negative affect with treatment. Psychological Distress scores also improved (p< .05). Across all ANOVAs, there were no significant interaction effects, suggesting that any treatment effect was equivalent for the two drugs. Qualitatively collected data elucidated participants' changes in approach to life and relationships since adrenalectomy. Themes that emerged in the data included improved ability to cope with external stress, better control of emotions, more relaxed relationships and attitude to work, and a greater vitality and quality of life. Generally the comments were consistent with the drug treatments; there was noticeable benefit, including perceived better anger control and less anxiety. Positive psychological effects of treatment observed in the two drug groups were triangulated with data from a qualitative study. The combined evidence suggests that when excess circulating aldosterone is reduced (adrenalectomy), or blocked (spironolactone), or aldosterone's salt and water retaining effects are minimised (amiloride), then nervous irritability and its subsequent psycho-behavioural manifestations are reduced. The effect however is slight and the conclusions are weakened by an apparent attrition bias, and the absence of a control group. Implications for further research are discussed.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oxford Graduate School, 2001. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 420-447).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oxford Graduate School, 2001. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 420-447).

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:52:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arquivototal.pdf: 2281149 bytes, checksum: d14380e3a4dd073ce04f00366150d758 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-09-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This study investigated and analyzed the existence of music performance anxiety among music students of the Universidade Federal da Paraiba (UFPB), in the context of instrument music classes. In this survey 28 students coming from pre-college, undergraduate and graduate music program from UFPB took part, in a total of four classes coordinated by faculty members of the UFPB Music Department. As a research procedure psychological tests that assessed levels of state-trait anxiety, music performance anxiety and participant observation were applied. They were undertaken during the semester final recitals of each class. From the analysis, comparison and correlation of the results of psychological tests and participant observation, we found levels of state-trait anxiety above what was predicted by normative samples and consistent with those of studies conducted in other parts of the world, with orchestra musicians and professional choirs. We also found levels of anxiety in music performance similar to existing research, and clear physical signs and behavioral of musical performance anxiety. The analysis of research variables: gender, education, age, occupation and level of demand confirmed some of the assumptions in the literature and brought new findings, which opened space for further discussion and research. These results confirm the hypothesis that anxiety in music performance is a widespread phenomenon that can affect musicians of any age, level or technical training, from students to professionals. Therefore, our data are indicative of the existence of actual music performance anxiety among music students of the UFPB, alerting us to the occurrence of a factor detrimental not only to performance, but also to the health and psychological well-being of musicians. / O presente trabalho investigou e analisou a existência da ansiedade em performance musical entre os alunos de música da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), no contexto das classes coletivas de instrumento. Fizeram parte desta pesquisa 28 alunos vindos dos cursos de Extensão, Bacharelado, Licenciatura, e Pós-Graduação em Música da UFPB, participantes de quatro turmas coletivas, coordenadas por professores do Departamento de Música. Como procedimento de pesquisa foram aplicados testes psicológicos que avaliaram os níveis de ansiedade de estado-traço e ansiedade em performance musical e empreendida observação participante durante os recitais de final de semestre de cada uma das turmas. A partir da análise, comparação e correlação dos resultados dos testes psicológicos e da observação participante, encontramos níveis de ansiedade de estado-traço acima do que era previsto pelas amostras normativas e compatíveis com os de estudos realizados em outras partes do mundo, com músicos de orquestras e de corais profissionais. Também encontramos níveis de ansiedade em performance musical semelhantes aos de pesquisas existentes, além de sinais físicos e comportamentais visíveis. A análise das variáveis de pesquisa: gênero, escolaridade, idade, profissão e grau de exigência confirmou algumas das hipóteses presentes na literatura e trouxe novos achados, os quais abrem espaço para outras discussões e pesquisas. Estes resultados confirmam a hipótese de que ansiedade em performance musical é um fenômeno generalizado, que pode acometer músicos de qualquer idade, nível técnico ou formação, desde estudantes à profissionais. Ainda, os dados aqui obtidos são indicativos reais da existência de ansiedade em performance musical entre os alunos de música da UFPB, alertando-nos para a ocorrência de um fator prejudicial não só à performance, mas também a saúde e ao bem-estar psicológico do músico.

The purpose of this article is to focus on unique issues that are encountered in the crosscultural adaptation of measures of emotions. We take into consideration the cross-cultural equivalence of the concept of emotion, and how cultural differences influence the meaning of words that are utilized to describe these concepts. The critical need to take the state-trait distinction into account in adapting measures of emotional states and personality traits is then discussed. The effects of language and culture in adapting measures of the experience, expression, and control of anger in Latin-America are also reviewed. The construction of the Latin American Multicultural State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory is described. / Medición transcultural de las emociones: la expresión de la ira Se presenta un análisis de las dificultades encontradas en el proceso de adaptación transcultural de pruebas de medición de las emociones. Se toma en consideración la equivalencia transcultural del concepto de emoción, y como las diferencias culturales tienen una gran influencia en el significado de las palabras a ser usadas para definir y describir las emociones y su medición. Se discute la importancia y necesidad de considerar el concepto de estado-rasgo en el proceso de adaptación de pruebas psicológicas que evalúan los estados emocionales. Se examina los efectos de la lengua y cultura en la adaptación de pruebas que evalúen la experiencia, expresión y control de la ira en Latinoamérica. Finalmente, se describe la construcción del Inventario Multicultural Latinoamericano de la Expresión de la Ira, Estado-Rasgo.

Due to the increasing demands of third-party payers to show measurable results in a decreased amount of time, mental health practitioners need new tools and techniques to quickly and efficiently assess their client's current status and progress in treatment. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a brief computerized measure of emotional states and personality traits for use as an assessment tool in a clinical setting. Adapted from the State-Trait Personality Inventory (STPI; Spielberger, 1998), the computerized instrument measured state and trait anxiety, anger, depression, and curiosity. The computerized STPI was examined for equivalence with the traditional STPI and compared with therapists' ratings of their clients' emotional states and personality traits. Forty individuals (24 women, 16 men) in psychotherapy were administered either a computerized version of the STPI or the original, paper version. Each client's therapist was asked to rate him or her on the same 4 states and 4 traits measured by the STPI. In addition, clients and therapists answered short questionnaires regarding their reactions to the STPI and the client report generated by the STPI, respectively. A comparison of mean STPI scale scores between the computerized and paper administration groups showed slightly higher levels of reported state emotion for the computerized administration. There was no other evidence of differences between the two experimental groups. Therapists who had previously conducted assessment with their client demonstrated a significantly higher correlation of their ratings with the corresponding client STPI self-reported scores. Feedback from the client and therapist exit questionnaires suggested that their reactions to the procedure and the usefulness of the STPI were quite favorable. Implications of increasing the use of computers in clinical assessment are discussed.

Compromised social cognition, psychosis, and antisocial traits are associated with violence in individuals with schizophrenia. Facial emotional perception (FEP) has been used to measure social cognition in schizophrenia, but its relationships to psychosis, antisocial behavior, and violence have not been explored. Archival data from a sample of 38 participants ages 18-55 with schizophrenia were analyzed in a quasi-experimental design using a 2-way analysis of variance to determine the relationship of psychosis, antisocial traits, and FEP. The main factors of the analysis were psychosis, classified as either high or low, and antisocial traits, classified as high or low. The dependent variable was FEP. Additionally, logistic regression was used to determine if the recent violent behavior was related to FEP, psychosis, and antisocial traits. Results showed significant main effects for psychosis and antisocial traits and interaction between psychotic state and antisocial traits. Logistic regression identified antisocial traits as a predictor of violence. The results are consistent with previous studies showing that a deficit in social cognition is a risk factor in violence. This study shows that antisocial traits are a predictor of a recent history of violence. These findings are consistent with the theory of the mind, perceptual organization theory, and integrative emotional system theory and provide additional information about how social cognition is manifested in some adults with schizophrenia. The study contributes to positive social change by providing a basis for treatment options with schizophrenia which distinguish social cognition, psychosis and antisocial behavior and violence.