Recent retrospectives of classic psychology articles by Meehl (1978) and Wachtel (1980), concerning problems with psychology’s research paradigm, have been viewed by commentators, on the whole, as germane as when first published. However, no similar examination of Lykken’s (1991) classic criticisms of psychology’s dominant research tradition has been undertaken. Twenty years on, this thesis investigates whether Lykken’s criticisms and conclusions are still valid via an exposition of three contentious issues in psychological science: the measurement problem, null hypothesis significance testing, and the granularity of research methods. Though finding that little progress has been made, Observation Oriented Modelling is advanced as a promising methodological solution for improving psychological research.

A avaliação da qualidade de vida é considerada uma importante ferramenta na busca por estratégias eficazes de tratamento na área da saúde. As doenças crônicas, como o Diabetes Melito (DM), requerem uma abordagem clínica e investigativa que abranja todas as necessidades biológicas, psíquicas e sociais destes indivíduos. A mensuração dos fatores psicológicos com a identificação dos problemas emocionais pode servir com uma ferramenta útil na avaliação das variáveis que afetam a adesão ao tratamento. Os objetivos dessa pesquisa, portanto, foram analisar a validade da versão brasileira da Escala PAID (Problem Areas in Diabetes), B-PAID, e a sua relação com os fatores associados ao controle metabólico, tipo de tratamento, idade de diagnóstico, gênero, idade e grau de instrução em pacientes com DM tipo 2 (DM2). Foi realizado um estudo transversal em 146 pacientes com DM2, selecionados ao acaso entre aqueles que consultavam no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Os pacientes responderam a um questionário que incluía o tipo de tratamento realizado para DM, o valor da hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c), o tempo conhecido de diagnóstico da doença, o nível de instrução e dados sobre a idade e o sexo. Responderam também a três questionários: B-PAID, Escala de Satisfação de Vida (SWL) e Escala de Avaliação da Qualidade de Vida da OMS (WHOQOL). A Escala B-PAID foi analisada quanto à validade, à fidedignidade e à sensibilidade. Os resultados mostraram boa consistência interna da escala (Alpha de Cronbach = 0,93) e correlação significativa entre a Escala B-PAID e as escalas WHOQOL (r=-0,33; p<0,05) e Satisfação de Vida (r=0,55; p<0,01). Analisando as possíveis associações entre a Escala B-PAID e as características clínicas dos pacientes, observaram-se correlações significativas com a idade (r=-0,23; p<0,01) e nível de educação (r=-0,22; p<0,01), mas não com HbA1c . Os escores do B-PAID mostraram-se mais elevados nas mulheres (35,62±27,27; p<0,01) do que nos homens (25,96±21,17; p<0,01) e não houve diferença significativa entre os pacientes que fazem uso de insulina (24,37±14,25; p<0,23) e os que não utilizam insulina (31,92±25,98; p<0,23). Na análise de regressão múltipla, somente as variáveis idade (β= -0,224; p=0,06) e nível de instrução (β= -0,157; p=0,05) estão significativamente e inversamente associadas ao B-PAID. Esses resultados indicam que a Escala B-PAID apresenta boas condições psicométricas, podendo ser considerada uma ferramenta de avaliação doimpacto do DM2 na qualidade de vida desta população no Brasil. Indivíduos mais jovens com nível de instrução menor apresentam maior risco de desenvolverem estresse emocional associado ao diabetes, devendo ser priorizados nas intervenções psicossociais. / Measuring quality of life has been considered an important tool to evaluate and achieve efficacy interventions in the health setting. Diabetes Mellittus (DM), as a chronic disease, demands a clinical and research approach including all biological, psychological and social individual necessities. The measurement of psychological factors that affects individual’s treatment adherence can be used like a useful tool in the identification of emotional problems. The aim of this study was to validate the Brazilian version of the Problems Areas in Diabetes Scale (B-PAID) in a sample of outpatients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) and to identify the characteristics of the individuals with high emotional distress. A crosssectional study was done in a sample of 146 patients randomly selected among those attending outpatient clinics of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil. The patients answered a questionnaire about the type of treatment, glyco-hemoglobin (HbA1c), known duration of diabetes, level of schooling and information about age and gender. To determine the validity, B-PAID was compared with the already validated Brazilian versions of Satisfaction with Life (SWL) and WHO Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL) scales. Reliability analysis was performed by using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient. The sensitivity to change was analyzed through re-testing after an educational program one month after the baseline with student t test. Validity was analyzed through Pearson and Spearman correlation between the scores of B-PAID with WHOQOL and SWL questionnaires and with clinical characteristics. The results showed a Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.93 and a significant correlation between B-PAID with WHOQOL (r=-0.33; p<0.005) and SWL (r=0.55; p<0.01). Analyses of the possible associations of B-PAID with the clinical characteristics of the patients showed a significant correlation with age (r=-0.23; p<0.01) and level of schooling (r=-0.22; p<0.01), but not with HbA1c. B-PAID scores were higher for females (35.62±27.27; p<0.01) than for males (25.96±21.17; p<0.01) but there was no significant difference in patients treated with insulin (24.37±14.25; p<0.23) or without insulin (31.92 ± 25.98; p<0.23). In a multiple regressionanalysis only age (β=-0.024; p=0.006) and level of schooling (β=-0.157; p=0,05) were significantly and inversely associated with B-PAID. The findings suggest that B-PAID is a reliable and valid outcome measure for Brazilian DM2 patients and identifies that individuals with lower age, lower education level, and females are at an increased risk for emotional distress and should be prioritized in psychosocial intervention.

A avaliação da qualidade de vida é considerada uma importante ferramenta na busca por estratégias eficazes de tratamento na área da saúde. As doenças crônicas, como o Diabetes Melito (DM), requerem uma abordagem clínica e investigativa que abranja todas as necessidades biológicas, psíquicas e sociais destes indivíduos. A mensuração dos fatores psicológicos com a identificação dos problemas emocionais pode servir com uma ferramenta útil na avaliação das variáveis que afetam a adesão ao tratamento. Os objetivos dessa pesquisa, portanto, foram analisar a validade da versão brasileira da Escala PAID (Problem Areas in Diabetes), B-PAID, e a sua relação com os fatores associados ao controle metabólico, tipo de tratamento, idade de diagnóstico, gênero, idade e grau de instrução em pacientes com DM tipo 2 (DM2). Foi realizado um estudo transversal em 146 pacientes com DM2, selecionados ao acaso entre aqueles que consultavam no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Os pacientes responderam a um questionário que incluía o tipo de tratamento realizado para DM, o valor da hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c), o tempo conhecido de diagnóstico da doença, o nível de instrução e dados sobre a idade e o sexo. Responderam também a três questionários: B-PAID, Escala de Satisfação de Vida (SWL) e Escala de Avaliação da Qualidade de Vida da OMS (WHOQOL). A Escala B-PAID foi analisada quanto à validade, à fidedignidade e à sensibilidade. Os resultados mostraram boa consistência interna da escala (Alpha de Cronbach = 0,93) e correlação significativa entre a Escala B-PAID e as escalas WHOQOL (r=-0,33; p<0,05) e Satisfação de Vida (r=0,55; p<0,01). Analisando as possíveis associações entre a Escala B-PAID e as características clínicas dos pacientes, observaram-se correlações significativas com a idade (r=-0,23; p<0,01) e nível de educação (r=-0,22; p<0,01), mas não com HbA1c . Os escores do B-PAID mostraram-se mais elevados nas mulheres (35,62±27,27; p<0,01) do que nos homens (25,96±21,17; p<0,01) e não houve diferença significativa entre os pacientes que fazem uso de insulina (24,37±14,25; p<0,23) e os que não utilizam insulina (31,92±25,98; p<0,23). Na análise de regressão múltipla, somente as variáveis idade (β= -0,224; p=0,06) e nível de instrução (β= -0,157; p=0,05) estão significativamente e inversamente associadas ao B-PAID. Esses resultados indicam que a Escala B-PAID apresenta boas condições psicométricas, podendo ser considerada uma ferramenta de avaliação doimpacto do DM2 na qualidade de vida desta população no Brasil. Indivíduos mais jovens com nível de instrução menor apresentam maior risco de desenvolverem estresse emocional associado ao diabetes, devendo ser priorizados nas intervenções psicossociais. / Measuring quality of life has been considered an important tool to evaluate and achieve efficacy interventions in the health setting. Diabetes Mellittus (DM), as a chronic disease, demands a clinical and research approach including all biological, psychological and social individual necessities. The measurement of psychological factors that affects individual’s treatment adherence can be used like a useful tool in the identification of emotional problems. The aim of this study was to validate the Brazilian version of the Problems Areas in Diabetes Scale (B-PAID) in a sample of outpatients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) and to identify the characteristics of the individuals with high emotional distress. A crosssectional study was done in a sample of 146 patients randomly selected among those attending outpatient clinics of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil. The patients answered a questionnaire about the type of treatment, glyco-hemoglobin (HbA1c), known duration of diabetes, level of schooling and information about age and gender. To determine the validity, B-PAID was compared with the already validated Brazilian versions of Satisfaction with Life (SWL) and WHO Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL) scales. Reliability analysis was performed by using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient. The sensitivity to change was analyzed through re-testing after an educational program one month after the baseline with student t test. Validity was analyzed through Pearson and Spearman correlation between the scores of B-PAID with WHOQOL and SWL questionnaires and with clinical characteristics. The results showed a Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.93 and a significant correlation between B-PAID with WHOQOL (r=-0.33; p<0.005) and SWL (r=0.55; p<0.01). Analyses of the possible associations of B-PAID with the clinical characteristics of the patients showed a significant correlation with age (r=-0.23; p<0.01) and level of schooling (r=-0.22; p<0.01), but not with HbA1c. B-PAID scores were higher for females (35.62±27.27; p<0.01) than for males (25.96±21.17; p<0.01) but there was no significant difference in patients treated with insulin (24.37±14.25; p<0.23) or without insulin (31.92 ± 25.98; p<0.23). In a multiple regressionanalysis only age (β=-0.024; p=0.006) and level of schooling (β=-0.157; p=0,05) were significantly and inversely associated with B-PAID. The findings suggest that B-PAID is a reliable and valid outcome measure for Brazilian DM2 patients and identifies that individuals with lower age, lower education level, and females are at an increased risk for emotional distress and should be prioritized in psychosocial intervention.

A avaliação da qualidade de vida é considerada uma importante ferramenta na busca por estratégias eficazes de tratamento na área da saúde. As doenças crônicas, como o Diabetes Melito (DM), requerem uma abordagem clínica e investigativa que abranja todas as necessidades biológicas, psíquicas e sociais destes indivíduos. A mensuração dos fatores psicológicos com a identificação dos problemas emocionais pode servir com uma ferramenta útil na avaliação das variáveis que afetam a adesão ao tratamento. Os objetivos dessa pesquisa, portanto, foram analisar a validade da versão brasileira da Escala PAID (Problem Areas in Diabetes), B-PAID, e a sua relação com os fatores associados ao controle metabólico, tipo de tratamento, idade de diagnóstico, gênero, idade e grau de instrução em pacientes com DM tipo 2 (DM2). Foi realizado um estudo transversal em 146 pacientes com DM2, selecionados ao acaso entre aqueles que consultavam no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Os pacientes responderam a um questionário que incluía o tipo de tratamento realizado para DM, o valor da hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c), o tempo conhecido de diagnóstico da doença, o nível de instrução e dados sobre a idade e o sexo. Responderam também a três questionários: B-PAID, Escala de Satisfação de Vida (SWL) e Escala de Avaliação da Qualidade de Vida da OMS (WHOQOL). A Escala B-PAID foi analisada quanto à validade, à fidedignidade e à sensibilidade. Os resultados mostraram boa consistência interna da escala (Alpha de Cronbach = 0,93) e correlação significativa entre a Escala B-PAID e as escalas WHOQOL (r=-0,33; p<0,05) e Satisfação de Vida (r=0,55; p<0,01). Analisando as possíveis associações entre a Escala B-PAID e as características clínicas dos pacientes, observaram-se correlações significativas com a idade (r=-0,23; p<0,01) e nível de educação (r=-0,22; p<0,01), mas não com HbA1c . Os escores do B-PAID mostraram-se mais elevados nas mulheres (35,62±27,27; p<0,01) do que nos homens (25,96±21,17; p<0,01) e não houve diferença significativa entre os pacientes que fazem uso de insulina (24,37±14,25; p<0,23) e os que não utilizam insulina (31,92±25,98; p<0,23). Na análise de regressão múltipla, somente as variáveis idade (β= -0,224; p=0,06) e nível de instrução (β= -0,157; p=0,05) estão significativamente e inversamente associadas ao B-PAID. Esses resultados indicam que a Escala B-PAID apresenta boas condições psicométricas, podendo ser considerada uma ferramenta de avaliação doimpacto do DM2 na qualidade de vida desta população no Brasil. Indivíduos mais jovens com nível de instrução menor apresentam maior risco de desenvolverem estresse emocional associado ao diabetes, devendo ser priorizados nas intervenções psicossociais. / Measuring quality of life has been considered an important tool to evaluate and achieve efficacy interventions in the health setting. Diabetes Mellittus (DM), as a chronic disease, demands a clinical and research approach including all biological, psychological and social individual necessities. The measurement of psychological factors that affects individual’s treatment adherence can be used like a useful tool in the identification of emotional problems. The aim of this study was to validate the Brazilian version of the Problems Areas in Diabetes Scale (B-PAID) in a sample of outpatients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) and to identify the characteristics of the individuals with high emotional distress. A crosssectional study was done in a sample of 146 patients randomly selected among those attending outpatient clinics of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil. The patients answered a questionnaire about the type of treatment, glyco-hemoglobin (HbA1c), known duration of diabetes, level of schooling and information about age and gender. To determine the validity, B-PAID was compared with the already validated Brazilian versions of Satisfaction with Life (SWL) and WHO Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL) scales. Reliability analysis was performed by using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient. The sensitivity to change was analyzed through re-testing after an educational program one month after the baseline with student t test. Validity was analyzed through Pearson and Spearman correlation between the scores of B-PAID with WHOQOL and SWL questionnaires and with clinical characteristics. The results showed a Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.93 and a significant correlation between B-PAID with WHOQOL (r=-0.33; p<0.005) and SWL (r=0.55; p<0.01). Analyses of the possible associations of B-PAID with the clinical characteristics of the patients showed a significant correlation with age (r=-0.23; p<0.01) and level of schooling (r=-0.22; p<0.01), but not with HbA1c. B-PAID scores were higher for females (35.62±27.27; p<0.01) than for males (25.96±21.17; p<0.01) but there was no significant difference in patients treated with insulin (24.37±14.25; p<0.23) or without insulin (31.92 ± 25.98; p<0.23). In a multiple regressionanalysis only age (β=-0.024; p=0.006) and level of schooling (β=-0.157; p=0,05) were significantly and inversely associated with B-PAID. The findings suggest that B-PAID is a reliable and valid outcome measure for Brazilian DM2 patients and identifies that individuals with lower age, lower education level, and females are at an increased risk for emotional distress and should be prioritized in psychosocial intervention.

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Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / In Chapter 1, I describe social competence, task competence and self-protection in an organisational context. In Chapter 2, I review key self theories and relate them to the self-competence construct. In Chapter 3, I review the research on self-competence to show that there is a need for a construct of social competence and self-protection. I discuss the limitations of three self-competence theories: Bandura’s (1977) self-efficacy theory, Williams and Lillibridge’s (1992) self-competence theory and Tafarodi & Swann’s (1995) self-competence/self-liking theory. In Chapter 4, I present my selfcompetence model. I raise the research questions and specify my hypotheses. In Chapter 5, I describe the construction of Social and Task Competence Scale. I present evidence of the reliability and factor structure of the Social and Task Competence Scale. I concluded that scale revisions were needed. In Chapter 6, I present evidence of the reliability, factor structure and predictive validity of the revised Social and Task Competence Scale and Self-Protection Scale. I describe the results of an experiment that investigated the interaction of task setting, social competence, task competence and selfprotection. I concluded that the measures predicted performance. In Chapter 7, I investigate the factor structure and reliability of the revised Social and Task Competence Scale and revised Self-Protection Scale. I provide evidence of the convergent and discriminant validity of these measures with reliable measures of self-competence, selfesteem, self-monitoring, personality and social desirability. In Chapter 8, I investigate the factor structure and reliability of the Social and Task Competence Scale and Self-Protection Scale after final revisions and show that these measures are acceptable for use in scientific research. I present evidence of their convergent validity with a valid andreliable measure of emotional intelligence, and describe experimental results that supported the hypothesised relationships between perceived task difficulty, social competence, task competence and self-protection and task performance. In Chapter 9, I discuss the implications of my research for self-competence theory, self-regulation and self-esteem and the prediction of social and task performance in organisations.