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Biomedical subjects

L Handler

Publications and source records attributed to L Handler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Psychological assessment on internship: a survey of training directors and their expectations for students.

We used a survey of internship training directors to examine the nature of assessment use and assessment skills training at 382 internship settings in professional psychology across the United States and Canada. For the purposes of this study, we created a questionnaire that inquired about the types of assessment instruments used at each internship setting, the amount and type of training offered at internship sites, and the type of assessment experience desired of interns before beginning their rotations. The results revealed several differences across type of internship facility surveyed as well as several trends in the current use of assessment in applied settings. The findings further demonstrate the important role of projective assessment in the training of graduate students and lead to the conclusion that major discrepancies may exist between what is being taught in graduate school and what students are expected to know on entering their internship positions.

Canada↗
PubMed2000

A replication of Rorschach and MMPI-2 convergent validity.

We replicated prior research on Rorschach and MMPI-2 convergent validity by testing 8 hypotheses in a new sample of patients. We also extended prior research by developing criteria to include more patients and by applying the same procedures to 2 self-report tests: the MMPI-2 and the MCMI-II. Results supported our hypotheses and paralleled the prior findings. Furthermore, 3 different tests for methodological artifacts could not account for the results. Thus, the convergence of Rorschach and MMPI-2 constructs seems to be partially a function of how patients interact with the tests. When patients approach each test with a similar style, conceptually aligned constructs tend to correlate. Although this result is less robust, when patients approach each test in an opposing manner, conceptually aligned constructs tend to be negatively correlated. When test interaction styles are ignored, MMPI-2 and Rorschach constructs tend to be uncorrelated, unless a sample just happens to possess a correlation between Rorschach and MMPI-2 stylistic variables. Remaining ambiguities and suggestions for further advances are discussed.

Factor Analysis, Statistical↗
PubMed2000

Martin Mayman's early memories technique: bridging the gap between personality assessment and psychotherapy.

In this article, we describe Martin Mayman's approach to early childhood memories as a projective technique, beginning with his scientific interest in learning theory, coupled with his interest in ego psychology and object relations theory. We describe Mayman's contributions to the use of the early memories technique to inform the psychotherapy process, tying assessment closely to psychotherapy and making assessment more useful in treatment. In this article, we describe a representative sample of research studies that demonstrate the reliability and validity of early memories, followed by case examples in which the early memories informed the therapy process, including issues of transference and countertransference.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Assessing transitional phenomena with the transitional object memory probe.

Winnicott's concept of transitional relatedness has captured the interest of psychoanalysts because it provides an understanding of the dialectical process occurring between inner and outer reality, and by extension, between analyst and analysand. Clinical observations related to transitional phenomena have led the authors to develop a projective early memory probe that assesses transitional phenomena. The transitional object early memory probe was tested both for its empirical validity and for its clinical utility in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Construct validity was assessed by comparing memory scores to the Rorschach Transitional Object Scale, as well as to therapist ratings of patient behaviors. Results demonstrated moderate correlations between early memory scores and Rorschach scale scores. Equally important was the finding that early memory scores were significantly correlated with therapist ratings of key behavioral patterns in therapy. A case vignette highlights the clinical application of the transitional object probe in assessing the capacity for transitional relatedness. In this case, the data gleaned from the patient's memories provided the therapist with a sharper focus on their role in the patient's growing capacity for more vital and creative contact with reality.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Rorschach measures of posttraumatic stress in Persian Gulf War veterans: a three-year follow-up study.

The long-term psychological effects of war-related stress were assessed with the Rorschach 3 years after the Persian Gulf War. Rorschach data are presented for 30 U.S. Marine reservists at a 3-year follow-up who reported experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS) initially after Operation Desert Storm (ODS), and for 25 Marine reservist controls who did not participate in ODS. Results showed significant differences over time between the initial evaluation data and follow-up, and between initial evaluation and the control group on selected Rorschach variables associated with coping ability and PTS. Scores associated with acute distress, capacity for coping and control, and feeling overwhelmed all were found to significantly decrease over time. These findings are discussed in relation to the assessment and understanding of PTS symptomatology over time.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

A multimethod approach to assessing dependency: the early memory dependency probe.

The construct validity and clinical utility of the early memory probe assessing aspects of dependency was investigated. Clinical patients' responses to the "feeding, being fed, or eating" probe were compared with Rorschach Oral Dependency (ROD) scale scores (Masling, Rabie, & Blondheim, 1967), as well as theoretically and empirically derived behavioral ratings. Sixty-five psychiatric patients and their therapists participated in the study. Results demonstrated moderate to strong correlations between the early memory scores and the ROD scores, thus demonstrating good concurrent validity. A moderate correlation between the early memory scores and therapists' ratings of key behavioral patterns in therapy support the predictive validity of the early memory probes. The early memory scores also demonstrated discriminant validity when compared with Rorschach object-relational content scales.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Rorschach and MMPI-2 indices of early psychotherapy termination.

This study was an investigation of the differences between 97 patients who had prematurely terminated psychotherapy (M = 1 session) and 81 who had participated in individual psychotherapy for at least 6 months and 24 sessions (M = 18 months/72 sessions) on selected Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory--2 (MMPI-2) and Rorschach variables. None of the between-group comparisons using the MMPI-2 proved to be significant. However, a multivariate analysis of variance of 9 Rorschach variables in 3 conceptual categories--(a) interpersonal relatedness, (b) psychological resources versus resource demand, and (c) level of psychopathology--proved to be significant at p = .008. The Rorschach scores from the interpersonal-relational category proved to be the most robust in differentiating the 2 groups. The theoretical implications of interpersonal variables are discussed in relation to the termination and continuation of patients in psychotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Rorschach measures of posttraumatic stress in Persian Gulf War veterans.

The effectiveness of the Rorschach in detecting acute posttraumatic stress (PTS) in Persian Gulf War veterans was investigated. Subjects were 30 U.S. Marine Reservists who reported experiencing symptoms of PTS after 3 months of active duty in Operation Desert Storm. Subjects were administered the Rorschach and MMPI-2 soon after their return from the Persian Gulf War. Results showed acute distress, a vulnerable capacity for coping and control, and a tendency to be overwhelmed by internal and external stimulation. Selected Rorschach variables were significantly related in a conceptually valid manner to MMPI-2 scales associated with defensiveness, coping ability, and PTS. These findings are discussed in relation to the assessment, understanding, and treatment of PTS symptomatology and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Early memories: an exploration of theoretically derived queries and their clinical utility.

The authors take Mayman's (1968) procedure for gathering early memories as their point of departure by developing three theoretically and clinically relevant queries based on object relations theory. Two empirical studies were conducted to assess the projective potential and concurrent validity of these queries, while case vignettes illuminate their construct validity and clinical utility. The results of both studies and the case vignettes lend support to Mayman's theoretical conception of early memories as a unique and powerful projective tool.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Culturing keratinocytes and fibroblasts in a three-dimensional mesh results in epidermal differentiation and formation of a basal lamina-anchoring zone.

The purpose of this study was to characterize an in vitro co-culture model in which fibroblasts grown in a three-dimensional nylon mesh were recombined with human keratinocytes. The cultures were kept for 3 and 5 weeks and then processed for electron microscopy. Keratinocytes showed reconstruction of an epidermis consisting of a basal layer with hemidesmosomes, a stratified epithelium with tonofilaments and desmosomes, a granular layer with keratinosomes and keratohyaline granules, and a transitional stratum corneum. Anchoring filaments, lamina densa, anchoring fibrils, bundles of elastin-associated microfibrils (diameters 10 nm) and fine collagen fibrils were formed. Collagen fibrils near the epidermis were much thinner than those in the lower levels. The present study shows that the dermal model containing metabolically active fibroblasts in their natural environment will support epidermal morphogenesis and differentiation including the formation of a basal lamina and anchoring zone.

Basement Membrane↗
PubMed1993

A Rorschach study of narcissism, defense, and aggression in borderline, narcissistic, and cluster C personality disorders.

We examined the differences between narcissism, mode of defense, and level of aggression on the Rorschach. We also investigated differences in borderline, narcissistic, and Cluster C personality disorders by examining responses to Rorschach content variables. The Lerner Defense Scale (P. Lerner & H. Lerner, 1980), the aggressive content section of the Holt (1977) method for assessing primary process manifestations, a modified version of Exner's (1986a) Egocentricity Index, Wagner's (1965) exhibitionistic M score, and grandiosity were scored on the Rorschach protocols of 17 borderline, 17 narcissistic, and 17 Cluster C personality disorders. Borderlines were found to employ primitive defensive structures to a greater degree and severity, show more intense and overall aggression as well as more responses on the three forms of aggression in the Holt method, and have higher levels of grandiosity. Narcissists evinced significantly higher levels of egocentricity than borderlines and higher levels of idealization than the Cluster C group. Convergent validity was found on the measures of defense and aggression, which showed a strong relationship between primitive aggression and primitive defense.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Utilization approaches and psychodynamic psychotherapy in a case of hospital phobia: an integrated approach.

Milton Erickson's approaches, including utilization techniques, were integrated with psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy in the treatment of a woman with a hospital phobia. The patient was a 28-year-old married woman who met the criteria for both Somatoform Disorder and Dependent Personality Disorder, and who had a variety of obsessive and compulsive personality traits. In trance the patient was given permission to replace many aspects of the hospital setting (e.g., driving to the hospital, checking in, talking with nurses, etc.) with interactions with certain emotionally meaningful people from her past. The outcome was that the hospital experience was quite pleasurable, as have been subsequent hospitalizations. Two years later, the patient discussed her hypnotic experience and reported an increase in positive transference and also an increase in her ability to cope with other difficult aspects of her life.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia and spinal cord compression.

A 55-year-old White male with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia, proved on bone marrow trephine biopsy, underwent splenectomy for abdominal discomfort. Six months later he developed paraparesis and on myelography multiple extradural obstructions were seen. In the absence of other obvious diagnostic possibilities, these were attributed to areas of extramedullary haematopoiesis, and he was treated with local radiotherapy. However, the neurological deficit progressed and emergency laminectomy and decompression were undertaken. Tissue obtained at this time confirmed the diagnosis of agnogenic myeloid metaplasia. A repeat myelogram showed complete relief of the obstruction, but the patient developed fulminating septicaemia and died. These findings are reported in view of the great rarity of spinal cord compression due to multiple areas of extramedullary haematopoiesis.

Humans↗
PubMed1977

Personality and background predictors of a young wife's desired family size.

A questionnaire that included 19 personality, socioeconomic, and general background variables was administered to 160 childless Caucasian, Protestant wives of college students to discover variables that offered promise as predictors of desired family size. Of the samples, 66% wanted two children, and 14% wanted three children. Four variables--feelings of alienation, father's social class level, level of overt anxiety, and childhood family size--had a combined multiple correlation of .39 with desired family size in a stepwise regression analysis and accounted for almost 15% of the desired family size variance. Results suggest that although desired family size remains difficult to predict, personality factors may be as significant as socioeconomic factors in its prediction.

Age Factors↗