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Biomedical subjects

H R Barker

Publications and source records attributed to H R Barker.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

The Relaxation Inventory: self-report scales of relaxation training effects.

The development of a self-report measure to assess the effects of relaxation training was examined. A rigorous statistical method of scale construction consisting of a modification of the scale discrimination technique was employed, resulting in a 45-item questionnaire representing three orthogonally derived scales. The three scales, Physiological Tension, Physical Assessment, and Cognitive Tension, demonstrated adequate internal consistency with KR20 reliability coefficients of .89, .95, and .81, respectively. In a second study of predictive validity, 40 individuals were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: relaxation training, tension inducement, pre-postcontrol, or postcontrol. Univariate analysis of variance indicated significant findings for each of the three dimensions of the inventory. The Physiological Tension Scale detected significant increases in tension following tension inducement, whereas the Physical Assessment Scale and Cognitive Tension Scale detected increases in relaxation following relaxation training. Recommendations were made for future research on the inventory.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Ecological validity of laboratory-type discrimination-learning tasks.

Brooks and Baumeister (1977a, 1977b) have questioned the ecological validity of laboratory-type research on discrimination learning, memory, and other cognitive processes. Their criticisms were rebutted by House (1977). The present report established the relationship among learning and retention of two-choice discrimination tasks, "real-life" adaptive behavior in an institution, and IQ. These measures were substantially interrelated, and we concluded that laboratory-type discrimination-learning tasks have ecological validity.

Discrimination Learning↗
PubMed1979

The diagnostic use of the MMPI in organic brain dysfunction.

Investigated two problem areas: (a) difficulty in the diagnoses of some types of organic brain dysfunctions; and (b) lack of accuracy in the differentiation of patients with organic disorders from patients with nonorganic disorders. Hospitalized male Ss (N = 152) were selected by diagnoses to form one nonorganic and three organic groups. For each group, data from Ss' MMPI protocols were analyzed via Cattel's Coefficient of Profile Similarity and discriminant analysis. Both MMPI factor scales (Barker, Fowler, & Peterson, 1971) and the usual clinical scales were used and compared in all analyses. Statistically significant differences among groups were found on both scales, with a greater separation of the groups provided by the factor scales. Results suggest that the MMPI, through the use of regression formulas derived from discriminant analysis of multiple groups, may be of diagnostic utility in organic brain dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Factor analysis of the items of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

The present investigation was designed to determine by factor analysis the nature of the items that comprise the A-State and A-Trait scales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Three factors were identified. Factor I was defined exclusively by items from the A-State scale. The underlying dimension tapped by the scale was interpreted as state anxiety (how one feels at a particular moment in time); support thus was provided for Spielberger's A-State concept. Items from the A-Trait scale, however, identified two separate factors, neither of which was clearly consonant with Spielberger's concept of A-Trait. Factor II appeared to tap state anxiety according to how the individual generally feels or a typical level of state anxiety as remembered over an indefinite period of time. Factor III was interpreted as a measure of neuroticism.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

A comparison of two treatments for depression: the antidepressive program vs. traditional therapy.

This study compared a traditional therapy for depression with Antidepressive therapy, a regime of meaningless, boring work designed to provoke the patient to an assertive expression of anger. The Ss were 32 neurotic and 24 psychotic patients at the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Veterans Administration Hospital. Improvement was measured by scores on the Purpose-In-Life Test (PIL) and the Self-Rating Depression Scale. All patient groups improved significantly within a 1-week period. Neurotics treated on the Antidepressive program improved significantly more than neurotics treated on the Traditional program. However, the data failed to indicate that either program was significantly more effective than the other in the treatment of psychotics.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1976

Discriminating alcoholic and nonalcoholic patients with conventional and factored MMPI scales: a comparison.

The factor scales were significantly more accurate than the conventional clinical scales in discriminating alcoholic from nonalcoholic patients. Whereas no single clinical scale emerged as highly important to the discrimination, Factor III emerged as very important to it. The possibility that Factor III represents an "alcoholic" factor was raised. From this study, it appears that the factor scales represent a more refined scoring version of the MMPI item pool.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Determinants of marital happiness and unhappiness rated by alcoholics and their wives.

Alcoholic husbands and their wives generally agreed that the major aspects of marital happiness dealt with the quality of interpersonal relations. "Undesirable vices (excessive gambling, drinking, etc.)" ranked first as contributing to marital unhappiness while their absence was ranked 27.5 by the husbands and 9.5 by the wives as contributing to marital happiness. The elimination of undesirable habits may resolve much marital misery but it does not necessarily follow that as unhappiness decreases happiness will increase.

Adult↗