| 1. |
- Rönnlund, Michael, 1967-, et al.
(author)
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Predictors of self-reported prospective and retrospective memory in a population-based sample of older adults
- 2011
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In: The Journal of Genetic Psychology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0022-1325 .- 1940-0896. ; 172:3, s. 266-284
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this article, the authors examined predictors of self-reported everyday memory failures using the Prospective and Retrospective Questionnaire (PRMQ; Smith, Della Sala, Logie, &Maylor, 2000) in a population-based sample of older adults (age range = 60–90 years; N = 250). The results showed that a higher frequency of reported failures was associated with lower scores on the personality dimension of self-directedness as assessed by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI; Cloninger, Dragan, Svrakic,& Przybeck, 1993) and more depressive symptoms on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977).However, PRMQscores showed no relationships with objective memory ability, as reflected by a series of retrospective memory measures and a measure of prospective memory. Neither were the PRMQ scales associated with general cognitive functioning as assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE; Folstein, Folstein, & McHugh, 1977). Taken together, the results indicate that within the older population, self-reported memory as assessed by the PRMQ may reflect moodstate and personality factors rather than individual differences in memory and cognitive ability.
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| 2. |
- Vestergren, Peter, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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Development of the cognitive dysfunction questionnaire (CDQ) in a population based sample
- 2011
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. - Stockholm : Almqvist & Wiksell. - 0036-5564 .- 1467-9450. ; 52:3, s. 218-228
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The study reports on the development of a questionnaire for assessment of adult cognitive dysfunction (CDQ). Participants in a population-based sample(65 ± 15 years, N = 370) responded to a 90-item pilot version covering multiple aspects of memory/cognition. Based on exploratory principal components analyses and correlations with criterion measures of cognitive functioning (MMSE, Block Design, semantic/episodic memory), 20 items loading on 6 components were selected for the final version of the questionnaire. Cronbach’s a for the total score was 0.90. There was evidence of construct validity as judged by correlations between CDQ scores, objective cognitive measures, and a subjective memory measure (PRMQ). Discriminant validity was demonstrated by a low and non-significant correlation with depressive symptoms. Further evidence of construct validity was provided by correlations with age and educational attainment. In conclusion, the CDQ is promising as a self-rating screening tool for cognitive dysfunction, and will be the subject of further development and validation.
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| 3. |
- Vestergren, Peter, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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Perceived causes of everyday memory problems in a population-based sample aged 39–99
- 2011
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In: Applied Cognitive Psychology. - Chichester : John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.. - 0888-4080 .- 1099-0720. ; 25:4, s. 641-646
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is usually a weak relation between memory complaints and laboratory memory performance, but few studies have investigated what people perceive as causes of their everyday memory problems. This study investigated prevalence, severity and perceived causes of memory problems in a population-based sample (N = 361, age-range 39–99). 30.2 per cent of the participants reported memory complaints (at least moderate memory problems). Higher age was associated with more severe memory problems, but the age-related differences were small. The most frequent perceived causes were age/ageing, stress and multitasking. Age/ageing as a cause was more frequent among older participants, and stress and multitasking were more frequent among middle-aged participants. The results suggest that everyday stress and level of engagement in multiple tasks or commitments, that place demands on cognitive resources, are important variables to consider when studying the relations between subjective everyday memory measures, age and memory performance in the laboratory.
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| 4. |
- Allodi Westling, Mara, 1959-
(author)
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The meaning of social climate of learning environments : some reasons why we do not care enough about it.
- 2010
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In: Learning Environments Research. - : Springer. - 1387-1579 .- 1573-1855. ; 13:2, s. 89-104
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this paper is to analyse reasons underlying the neglect of social climate in education. It discusses the relevance of the concept of social climate in learning environments: presenting evidence of its effects; its importance in special needs and inclusive education; presenting existing differences between settings; discussing the contribution of social climate to teachers’ professional autonomy. The arguments support the view that social climate is an essential factor in educational processes and make incomprehensible the scarce attention reserved to it in educational policy, research and teacher programs. Indications of neglect in the Swedish context are presented. The resistance towards the concept of social climate is related to a) dualistic and hierarchic views; b) characteristics of bureaucratic systems; c) reductionist interpretations; d) difficulties in handling and evaluating social values and goals; e) post-modern criticism of scientific knowledge and psychology. Implications for counteracting reductive interpretations and meeting resistance and criticism are discussed.
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| 5. |
- Bergh, Robin, et al.
(author)
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The Personality Underpinnings of Explicit and Implicit Generalized Prejudice
- 2012
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In: Social Psychological and Personality Science. - : SAGE Publications. - 1948-5506 .- 1948-5514. ; 3:5, s. 614-621
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The idea of prejudice as a tendency that can be generalized from one target to another and the personality–prejudice relationship have been widely examined using explicit measures. However, less is known about this tendency and its relation to personality for implicit prejudice measures, like the implicit association test (IAT). Three studies including explicit and corresponding implicit prejudice measures toward various target groups confirmed a generalized factor for both types of measures with a stronger common component for the explicit factor. Personality was significantly related to the explicit measures only. Also, the personality and prejudice measures were unrelated to explicit and implicit attitudes toward an irrelevant target which rules out potential method confound. These results indicate that explicit and implicit prejudice measures tap different psychological constructs relating differently to the individual’s self-reported personality. The findings have implications for the debate on whether IAT scores reflect personally endorsed attitudes.
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| 6. |
- Durbeej, Natalie, et al.
(author)
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Validation of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test in a Swedish sample of suspected offenders with signs of mental health problems : results from the Mental Disorder, Substance Abuse and Crime study
- 2010
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In: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0740-5472 .- 1873-6483. ; 39:4, s. 364-377
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Substance abuse is common among offenders. One method widely used for the detection of substance abuse is screening. This study explored the concurrent validity of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) screening tools in relation to (a) substance abuse and dependency diagnoses and (b) three problem severity domains of the sixth version of the Addiction Severity Index in a sample of 181 suspected offenders with signs of mental health problems. The screening tools showed moderate to high accuracy for identification of dependency diagnoses. The AUDIT was associated with alcohol problem severity, whereas the DUDIT was associated with drug and legal problem severity. Administering the screening tools in the current population yields valid results. However, the suggested cutoff scores should be applied with caution due to the discrepancy between present and previous findings.
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| 7. |
- Ferrer-Wreder, Laura, et al.
(author)
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Advancing Intervention Science Through Effectiveness Research : A Global Perspective
- 2012
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In: Child and Youth Care Forum. - : Springer Science+Business Media B.V.. - 1053-1890 .- 1573-3319. ; 41:2, s. 109-117
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Effectiveness research is maturing as a field within intervention and prevention science. Effectiveness research involves the implementation and evaluation of the effectiveness of the dissemination of evidence-based interventions in everyday circumstances (i.e., type 2 translational research). Effectiveness research is characterized by diverse types of research studies. Progress in this field has the potential to inform several debates within intervention science [e.g., fidelity versus local and cultural adaptation; identification of core components, effective dissemination systems). Objective: To provide illustrations from different countries (Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Sweden, New Zealand, and the United States) of how intervention science might raise the value of future effectiveness or type 2 translational research. Methods: Themes raised by individual articles and across articles are summarized and expanded on in this commentary. Results: Themes consist of raising awareness about the importance of effectiveness research on the cultural adaptation of evidence-based interventions and intervention support structures, as well as further development of strategies to bridge the gap between research and practice. Conclusions: Effectiveness research has an important role to play in affecting systemic change on a population level and allowing us to gain a realistic global understanding of the phenomena we hope to change through interventions. Articles in this special issue provide reports from social scientists and practitioners located in various parts of the world and offer a rich, diverse portrait of effectiveness research and theory development. The totality of the work contained in this special issue anticipates many of the changes that intervention and prevention science will undergo as we progress and develop effective dissemination strategies for evidence-based interventions that promote positive youth development and prevent youth and family problems on a global scale.
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| 8. |
- Josefsson, Maria, 1979-, et al.
(author)
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Genetic and Lifestyle Predictors of 15-Year Longitudinal Change in Episodic Memory
- 2012
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In: Journal of The American Geriatrics Society. - : Wiley. - 0002-8614 .- 1532-5415. ; 60:12, s. 2308-2312
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To reveal distinct longitudinal trajectories in episodic memory over 15 years and to identify demographic, lifestyle, health-related, and genetic predictors of stability or decline. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: The Betula Project, Umeå, Sweden. Participants: One thousand nine hundred fifty-four healthy participants aged 35 to 85 at baseline. Measurements: Memory was assessed according to validated episodic memory tasks in participants from a large population-based sample. Data were analyzed using a random-effects pattern-mixture model that considered the effect of attrition over two to four longitudinal sessions. Logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of stability or decline relative to average change in episodic memory. Results: Of 1,558 participants with two or more test sessions, 18% were classified as maintainers and 13% as decliners, and 68% showed age-typical average change. More educated and more physically active participants, women, and those living with someone were more likely to be classified as maintainers, as were carriers of the met allele of the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene. Less educated participants, those not active in the labor force, and men were more likely to be classified as decliners, and the apolipoprotein E ɛ4 allele was more frequent in decliners. Conclusion: Quantitative, attrition-corrected assessment of longitudinal changes in memory can reveal substantial heterogeneity in aging trajectories, and genetic and lifestyle factors predict such heterogeneity.
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| 9. |
- Mousavi-Nasab, S. -M. -Hossein, 1979-, et al.
(author)
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The effects of marital status on episodic and semantic memory in healthy middle-aged and old individuals
- 2012
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0036-5564 .- 1467-9450. ; 53:1, s. 1-8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The present study examined the influences of marital status on different episodic and semantic memory tasks. A total of 1882 adult men and women participated in a longitudinal project (Betula) on memory, health and aging. The participants were grouped into two age cohorts, 35–60 and 65–85, and studied over a period of 5 years. Episodic memory tasks concerned recognition and recall, whereas semantic memory tasks concerned knowledge and fluency. The results showed, after controlling for education, some diseases, chronological age and leisure activity as covariates, that there were significant differences between married and single individuals in episodic memory, but not in semantic memory. Married people showed significantly better memory performances than singles in both subsystems of episodic memory, that is, recall and recognition. Also, the rate of decline in episodic memory was significantly larger for singles and widowed than other groups over the 5-year time period in both age groups. The findings demonstrate that the positive relation found between marriage and health can be extended to the relation between marriage and cognitive performance. This effect might be explained by the role played by cognitive stimulation in memory and cognition.
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| 10. |
- Rasoal, Chato, et al.
(author)
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Ethnocultural versus Basic Empathy : Same or Different?
- 2011
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In: Psychology. - : Scientific Research Publishing. - 2152-7180 .- 2152-7199. ; 2:9, s. 925-930
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The concept of ethnocultural empathy has been put forward as a variable that could explain tolerance between individuals and groups of different ethnic and cultural background. However, it is not clear if ethnocultural em-pathy is distinct from basic empathy. In this study we investigated the association between basic empathy, as measured by the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (Davis, 1983) and ethnocultural empathy, as measured by the Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy (Wang et al., 2003). We also explored the question of whether a set of back-ground variables would predict the two forms of empathy. We investigated if there were different predictors of ethnocultural and basic empathy, and if the two constructs are distinct. Results showed that the two forms of empathy were correlated and that largely similar predictors were found for the two constructs. A confirmatory factor analysis failed to confirm two separate constructs. Implications of the findings for the measurement of empathy are discussed.
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