Biomedical subjects

Kevin Del Ben

Publications and source records attributed to Kevin Del Ben.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Psychometric properties of the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version.

We examined the psychometric properties of the PTSD Checklist (PCL), a self-report instrument designed to assess symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Three hundred ninety-two participants recruited in a university setting completed the PCL in addition to several well-established self-report instruments designed to assess various forms of psychopathology (e.g., depression, general anxiety, PTSD). Ninety participants returned for readministration of selected measures. Findings provided support for psychometric properties of the PCL, including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. Additional strengths of the PCL are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Agreement among readers on what is relevant in self-help psychology books.

It was hypothesized that text marking in self-help psychology books would indicate that readers agree on which pages and lines contain relevant information. Previously owned copies of two self-help book titles (n=48, n=38), all with marked text, were collected from second-hand book stores and scored for line and page marking. Chi-squares for goodness-of-fit yielded significant differences between observed and chance agreement in marking behavior. Intraclass and KR-20 correlations were significantly different from zero, suggesting that readers agreed on what information was relevant and irrelevant. Actual users of self-help books may have similar standards because of cultural values, social group relations, or common problem experiences.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

The comparison of the behavioral observation system and the brief psychiatric rating scale-expanded.

The construct validity of the Behavioral Observation System (BOS), an observational instrument used by line staff to rate psychopathological behaviors, was studied using comparisons with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Expanded version (BPRS-E). A sample of 100 inpatient participants was rated using the BPRS-E on the same day they were rated by line staff using the BOS. Pearson product-moment correlations were performed, supporting good convergence and divergence. Principle component analysis on the six BPRS-E scales and the four BOS scales resulted in a three-factor finding. This analysis was supportive of construct validity. Uses of the BOS in light of these findings were discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Stalking: developing an empirical typology to classify stalkers.

Stalking has received a great deal of attention from the media and its harmful effects on victims have been well documented. Stalking is also more common than previously thought, leading researchers to classify stalkers into groups in an attempt to predict future behavior. Previous research has grouped stalkers based on theoretical models rather than trying to empirically examine stalking behaviors along with other factors such as motivation, type of relationship, and attachment style in determining a typology of stalkers. Female college students (N = 108) who had experienced stalking behaviors responded to questions regarding their perceptions of those behaviors. First, these victim perceptions were factor analyzed. Then, cluster analysis grouped those factors to produce a four-cluster typology of stalkers. Cluster 1 (Harmless) appeared to reflect a more casual, less jealous pattern of behavior. Cluster 2 (Low Threat) appeared the least likely to become physically violent or threatening, or to engage in illegal behaviors. Cluster 3 (Violent Criminal) appeared to be the most likely to engage in physically threatening and illegal behaviors. Cluster 4 (High Threat) was characterized by a more serious type of relationship and may attempt to be more restrictive of their partner when first meeting them.

Adolescent↗