Mixed-format tests containing both multiple-choice (MC) items and constructed-response (CR) items are used in many testing programs. The use of multiple formats presents a number of measurement challenges, one of which is how to adequately equate mixed-format tests under the common-item nonequivalent groups (CINEG) design, especially when, due to practical constraints, the common-item set contains only MC items. The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate how equating properties were preserved for mixed-format tests under the CINEG design. Real data analyses were conducted on 22 equating linkages of 39 mixed-format tests from the Advanced Placement (AP) Examination program. Four equating methods were used: the frequency estimation (FE) method, the chained equipercentile (CE) method, item response theory (IRT) true score equating, and IRT observed score equating. In addition, cubic spline postsmoothing was used with the FE and CE methods. The factors of investigation were the correlation between MC and CR scores, the proportion of common items, the proportion of MC-item score points, and the similarity between alternate forms. Results were evaluated using three equating properties: first-order equity, second-order equity, and the same distributions property. The main findings from this dissertation were as follows: (1) Between the two IRT equating methods, true score equating better preserved first-order equity than observed score equating, and observed score equating better preserved second-order equity and the same distributions property than true score equating. (2) Between the two traditional methods, CE better preserved first-order equity than FE, but in terms of preserving second-order equity and the same distributions property, CE and FE produced similar results. (3) Smoothing helped to improve the preservation of second-order equity and the same distributions property. (4) A higher MC-CR correlation was associated with better preservation of first-order equity for both IRT methods. (5) A higher MC-CR correlation was associated with better preservation of second-order equity for IRT true score equating. (6) A higher MC-CR correlation was associated with better preservation of the same distributions property for IRT observed score equating. (7) The proportion of common items, the proportion of MC score points, and the similarity between forms were not found to be associated with the preservation of the equating properties. These results are interpreted in the context of research literature in this area and suggestions for future research are provided.

This study examined sexual orientation change efforts, identity conflict, and psychosocial health in a sample of 1,612 same-sex attracted Mormons. A minimum of 66% of participants reported engaging in sexual orientation change efforts, usually through multiple methods, and across more than 10 years (on average). Religious change efforts such as personal righteousness (e.g., prayer, fasting, scripture study, improved relationship with Jesus Christ) and counseling with church leaders (e.g., bishops), along with individual methods (e.g., introspection, private study, mental suppression) were found to be far more prevalent and significantly more damaging than therapist- (e.g., psychotherapy, psychiatry) or group-led change efforts. Overall, 0% of those attempting change reported an elimination of same-sex attraction, and less than 4% reported any change in sexual orientation. Conversely, the majority of participants reported these efforts to be either ineffective or damaging. Regarding the navigation of sexual and religious identity conflict, the vast majority of participants were found to have either rejected their religious identity (53%) or compartmentalized their religious and sexual identities (37%), with significantly fewer reporting the rejection of their same-sex sexual identity (6%) or the successful integration of the two identities (4%). Overall, the (a) acceptance of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender identity and (b) “coming out” to family, friends, work, and religious associates correlated positively with quality of life and self-esteem, and negatively with internalized homophobia, identity confusion, depression, and sexual identity distress. Regarding various religion-based approaches to same-sex attraction, the following were generally positively associated with psychosocial health (e.g., quality of life, selfesteem) and negatively correlated with psychosocial harm (e.g., internalized homophobia, sexual identity distress, depression): (a) embracing biological (vs. developmental) views on the causes of same-sex sexuality, (b) decreased LDS Church participation, (c) eschewing celibacy, and (d) pursuing committed, legal same-sex relationships. Heterosexual marriages for same-sex attracted participants were estimated to have a 69% divorce rate, with very low average quality of life ratings for those remaining in the marriages.

<p>Våld i nära relationer existerar i de flesta samhällen och förekommer bland såväl heterosexuella som samkönade par. Mycket forskning har främst ägnats åt mäns våld mot kvinnor där offret ofta orsakas stort lidande. Men våld som konfliktlösningsmetod är inte förbehållet män utan används även av kvinnor. En kartläggning av mäns och kvinnors våld i nära relationer i en svensk allmänpopulation planeras och ett frågeformulär har sammansatts och översatts från engelska. Denna uppsats ingår i valideringsstudien av formuläret. Syftet har varit att undersöka frågeformulärets giltighet i en svensk allmänpopulation. Valideringen har skett genom fyra fokusgruppsdiskussioner med experter. Resultatet visar att formuläret ger en giltig bild av mäns våld mot kvinnor. Fokusgrupperna har i lägre grad kunnat validera formulärets giltighet för kvinnors våld mot män i heterosexuella relationer. Våld i samkönade relationer berördes i princip inte alls under diskussionerna. Fokusgruppernas sammansättning antas i hög grad ha påverkat resultatet.</p>

<p>Syftet med denna uppsats var att undersöka hur olika samhällsinstansers syn på våld i samkönade parrelationer och vad de gör för att arbeta kring denna problematik. Ämnet studerades med en kvalitativ ansats. Urvalet av den teoretiska populationen utfördes genom strategiskt urval. Den insamlingsmetod som användes för data var delfimetoden. Vid analysen användes tidigare forskning samt queerteorin som teoretisk utgångspunkt. Analysen resulterade i tre huvudkategorier/teman<em>; synen på våld i samkönade parrelationer,</em> <em>utbildning & samverkan</em> samt<em> bemötande</em>. De slutsatser som drogs var att ämnet behöver synliggöras bättre och att utbildning/information bör ges i större utsträckning, både kring våld i samkönade parrelationer, men även kring andra sexuella läggningar än heterosexualitet generellt. Utbildning/information efterfrågas även för att kunna erbjuda samma stöd och hjälp för alla individer som utsatts för våld i en nära parrelation.  </p>

Våld i nära relationer existerar i de flesta samhällen och förekommer bland såväl heterosexuella som samkönade par. Mycket forskning har främst ägnats åt mäns våld mot kvinnor där offret ofta orsakas stort lidande. Men våld som konfliktlösningsmetod är inte förbehållet män utan används även av kvinnor. En kartläggning av mäns och kvinnors våld i nära relationer i en svensk allmänpopulation planeras och ett frågeformulär har sammansatts och översatts från engelska. Denna uppsats ingår i valideringsstudien av formuläret. Syftet har varit att undersöka frågeformulärets giltighet i en svensk allmänpopulation. Valideringen har skett genom fyra fokusgruppsdiskussioner med experter. Resultatet visar att formuläret ger en giltig bild av mäns våld mot kvinnor. Fokusgrupperna har i lägre grad kunnat validera formulärets giltighet för kvinnors våld mot män i heterosexuella relationer. Våld i samkönade relationer berördes i princip inte alls under diskussionerna. Fokusgruppernas sammansättning antas i hög grad ha påverkat resultatet.

Syftet med denna uppsats var att undersöka hur olika samhällsinstansers syn på våld i samkönade parrelationer och vad de gör för att arbeta kring denna problematik. Ämnet studerades med en kvalitativ ansats. Urvalet av den teoretiska populationen utfördes genom strategiskt urval. Den insamlingsmetod som användes för data var delfimetoden. Vid analysen användes tidigare forskning samt queerteorin som teoretisk utgångspunkt. Analysen resulterade i tre huvudkategorier/teman; synen på våld i samkönade parrelationer, utbildning &amp; samverkan samt bemötande. De slutsatser som drogs var att ämnet behöver synliggöras bättre och att utbildning/information bör ges i större utsträckning, både kring våld i samkönade parrelationer, men även kring andra sexuella läggningar än heterosexualitet generellt. Utbildning/information efterfrågas även för att kunna erbjuda samma stöd och hjälp för alla individer som utsatts för våld i en nära parrelation.

Ethological and developmental studies have demonstrated the presence and importance of playful aggression for primates and children; additional studies suggest that playful aggression is also present in adulthood but is adapted and incorporated into relationships in different ways than it previously was in childhood. Little is known about young adults’ perceptions of playful aggression in romantic relationships, especially among same-sex couples. This study investigated perceptions of aggression when the sexual orientation of the couple, the severity of aggression, and the response of the recipient, who was receiving the aggression, were manipulated in a series of scenarios. Young adults, ages 18 to 25 years (N = 336) of both sexes rated a series of previously validated scales and then rated 24 scenarios. Data was analyzed using a series of repeated measures ANOVAs, paired samples t-tests, and independent t-tests. The data revealed that the response of the recipient had a significant effect on ratings of aggression such that in scenarios with a positive response (when the recipient smiled as opposed to frowning and walking away), behaviors were perceived as less aggressive. The gender of the aggressor also had a significant effect; scenarios with a male aggressor and female recipient were rated most aggressive out of the 24 scenarios. Additional results suggest that aggression in homosexual couples is perceived as less aggressive than comparable aggression in heterosexual couples. Results are discussed in the context of efforts to integrate research and develop a more cohesive understanding of playful aggression, specifically, how this aggression is perceived in adult romantic relationships.

Recent research has found high rates of abuse in gay male relationships; however, little is known about their lived experience. This study aims to explore (1) the social construction of abuse in gay male relationships, (2) its discursive effects on clinical practice and (3) the lived experience of gay men involved in abusive relationships. This study included three sets of data. Using a discourse analysis, articles published in popular queer media and academic literature were analyzed to understand the social construction of partner abuse. Three focus groups, with 16 service providers, were conducted to examine the discursive effects of partner abuse on clinical practice. In-depth interviews with 21 gay men involved in partner abuse were conducted to understand their lived experience. Transcripts of the focus groups and interviews were reviewed in detail to highlight themes and concepts. Analysis revealed that gay male partner abuse is not a self-evident or natural category but, rather, socially constructed. Current discourse created two opposite categories (the victim who is powerless and helpless; the perpetrator powerful and evil) that both informed and limited the way in which service providers saw and, thus, worked with gay men involved in partner abuse. Yet, as shown in the analysis, the lived experience of partner abuse does not always fit neatly into the rigid victim and perpetrator roles. Instead, the roles are frequently unclear and contradictory. We social workers need to be aware of the discursive effects of gay male partner abuse and critically examine how they impose certain assumptions on us. Instead of seeking a “true” experience of partner abuse, we need to help these men search for meaning within the events that are relevant to them, regardless of how they fit into the normative discourse of gay male partner abuse.

Recent research has found high rates of abuse in gay male relationships; however, little is known about their lived experience. This study aims to explore (1) the social construction of abuse in gay male relationships, (2) its discursive effects on clinical practice and (3) the lived experience of gay men involved in abusive relationships. This study included three sets of data. Using a discourse analysis, articles published in popular queer media and academic literature were analyzed to understand the social construction of partner abuse. Three focus groups, with 16 service providers, were conducted to examine the discursive effects of partner abuse on clinical practice. In-depth interviews with 21 gay men involved in partner abuse were conducted to understand their lived experience. Transcripts of the focus groups and interviews were reviewed in detail to highlight themes and concepts. Analysis revealed that gay male partner abuse is not a self-evident or natural category but, rather, socially constructed. Current discourse created two opposite categories (the victim who is powerless and helpless; the perpetrator powerful and evil) that both informed and limited the way in which service providers saw and, thus, worked with gay men involved in partner abuse. Yet, as shown in the analysis, the lived experience of partner abuse does not always fit neatly into the rigid victim and perpetrator roles. Instead, the roles are frequently unclear and contradictory. We social workers need to be aware of the discursive effects of gay male partner abuse and critically examine how they impose certain assumptions on us. Instead of seeking a “true” experience of partner abuse, we need to help these men search for meaning within the events that are relevant to them, regardless of how they fit into the normative discourse of gay male partner abuse.

The acquisition of relational concepts plays an integral role and is assumed to be a prerequisite for analogical reasoning. Language and token-trained apes (e.g. Premack, 1976; Thompson, Oden, and Boysen, 1997) are the only nonhuman animals to succeed in solving and completing analogies, thus implicating language as the mechanism enabling the phenomenon. In the present study, I examine the role of meaning in the analogical reasoning abilities of three different primate species. Humans, chimpanzees, and rhesus monkeys completed relational match-to-sample (RMTS) tasks with either meaningful or nonmeaningful stimuli. For human participants, meaningfulness facilitated the acquisition of analogical rules. Individual differences were evident amongst the chimpanzees suggesting that meaning can either enable or hinder their ability to complete analogies. Rhesus monkeys did not succeed in either condition, suggesting that their ability to reason analogically, if present at all, may be dependent upon a dimension other than the representational value of stimuli.