Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A J Finch

Publications and source records attributed to A J Finch.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Proxemics, locus of control, anxiety, and type of movement in emotionally disturbed and normal boys.

In order to determine the interpersonal distancing requirements for emotionally disturbed and normal children and in order to investigate the relationship of locus of control and anxiety to interpersonal space, 20 emotionally disturbed and 20 normal boys were randomly required to approach an object person and to let the object person approach them until they felt uncomfortable. Results indicated that emotionally disturbed boys required more space than normals; that subjects would approach closer than they would allow the object person to approach them; and that externals required more space than internals. There were no significant differences between high and low anxious subjects, nor between emotionally disturbed children diagnostically classified as overanxious reaction and those with other diagnosis. Finally, neither anxiety nor locus of control explained the significant normal-emotionally disturbed differences in space requirements. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed as well as the relationship between the present and previous research.

Affective Symptoms↗

Reflection-impulsivity and behavioral problems in emotionally disturbed boys.

In order to investigate the difference in the behavioral problems presented by cognitively impulsive and reflective emotionally disturbed boys, the parents of 17 impulsive and 13 reflective boys in residential treatment were asked to rate their sons' behavior. Results indicated that in contrast to reflective emotionally disturbed boys, impulsives were more likely to talk of others blaming them unfairly, threaten to harm themselves, hit and bully other children, and be excessively rough in play. On the other hand, reflectives were more unwilling to talk with adults outside the family. Results were discussed in terms of supporting both previous research and Kagan and Kogan's (6) "fear of failure" hypothesis.

Achievement↗

Reflection-impulsivity and need for achievement in emotionally disturbed children.

Reflection-impulsivity is the cognitive dimension proposed by Kagan and his colleagues to describe the differences in children's resolution to response uncertainty. Impulsive children tend to respond quickly without considering all of the available alternatives and consequently make many mistakes. Reflecttive children consider all of the available alternatives, withhold responding until they have a high probability of being correct, and consequently make few mistakes. The primary dynamic underlying a reflective cognitive style is hypothesized to be a fear of making a mistake: the greater the fear, the more reflective the child is and the more cautiously he performs. On the other hand, minimal anxiety over a potentially inaccurate answer is likely to result in an impulsive performance.

Achievement↗

Comparing the diagnostic validity of an abbreviated and standard MMPI.

The diagnostic efficacy of the MMPI-168 and standard MMPI was compared with a sample of psychiatric inpatients. Using traditional psychiatric measures and projective testing as a basis for the criterion diagnoses, no significant differences were found between the two MMPI forms. Rationale for the methodology employed was discussed.

Journal Article↗

Factor specific differences in locus of control for emotionally disturbed and normal children.

The Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children was given to 20 normal and 20 emotionally disturbed children to investigate the differences between the two groups on self-reported locus of control. The locus of control score and scores for each separate factor were calculated. Separate analyses of variance indicated that emotionally disturbed children did not differ from normals on overall locus of control nor on four of the five factors. However, one factor, Helplessness, differentiated the two groups with emotionally disturbed children endorsing more Helplessness items. The results are discussed in terms of factor specific methodology and in regards to the clinical relevance of Helplessness as a key factor.

Affective Symptoms↗

Interpretive accuracy of abbreviated MMPIs.

The interpretive accuracy of the standard MMPI and three abbreviated forms was assessed and compared with a sample of psychiatric inpatients. Psychiatric teams evaluated the accuracy of the interpretation of one abbreviated form and the standard form for their patients. Only the MMPI-168 obtained comparable ratings to the standard form.

Adolescent↗

Quantitative difference in the experience of state-trait anxiety in emotionally disturbed and normal children.

In order to investigate the state-trait anxiety distinction in emotionally disturbed and normal children, the responses of 120 emotionally disturbed children and 126 normal children to the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (Spielberger, 1973) were factor analyzed separately. For the emotionally disturbed group two A-State and two A-Trait factors were found with the A-State factors accounting for significantly more of the variance than did A-Trait factors. For the normal group four A-State and two A-Trait factors were found, but there was not a significant difference between the amount of variance accounted for by A-State and A-Trait factors. Results were discussed as supporting the state-trait distinction and as having several implications for future research on anxiety.

Journal Article↗

Qualitative difference in the experience of state-trait anxiety in emotionally disturbed and normal children.

In order to investigate the state-trait anxiety distinction in emotionally disturbed and normal children, the responses of 120 emotionally disturbed children and 126 normal children to the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (Spielberger, 1973) were factor analyzed separately. For the emotionally disturbed group two A-State and two A-Trait factors were found with the A-State factors accounting for significantly more of the variance than did A-Trait factors. For the normal group four A-State and two A-Trait factors were found, but there was not a significant difference between the amount of variance accounted for by A-State and A-Trait factors. Results were discussed as supporting the state-trait distinction and as having several implications for future research on anxiety.

Affective Symptoms↗

Factor analysis of the MMPI-STAI.

Since MMPI measures of anxiety do not differentiate situational from chronic anxiety, an attempt was made to factor analyze the MMPI-STAI scores of 311 psychiatric inpatients. Four factors emerged that were labeled Adjustment, Passivity, Somatic Concern and Anxiety Proneness. The results were compared with other MMPI factor-analytic studies. Evidence supported Welsh's A as a measure of chronic anxiety.

Adolescent↗

Modification of an impulsive cognitive tempo in emotionally disturbed boys.

In order to determine the relative effectiveness of verbal self-instructions and training to delay before responding in modifying an impulsive cognitive style, 15 impulsive emotionally disturbed boys were assigned to one of three groups. The cognitive-training group was given practice in verbal self-instructions, the delay-training group received practice in delaying before responding, and the control group received no training. Posttreatment scores on the Matching Familiar Figures Test showed a significant increase in latencies for both the cognitive and delay-training groups. However, only the cognitive-training group, which had received practice in verbal self-instructions, made fewer errors following training. Implications for future research and potential treatment strategies for verbal self-instructions are discussed.

Affective Symptoms↗