Interview Ratings Research Articles

The Acquisition of Professional Social Work Competencies

A three-year longitudinal cohort study followed one cohort of undergraduate social work students (n = 38) from induction to graduation, measuring and tracking the acquisition of the National Occupational Standards for Social Work. An efficient ‘user-friendly’ set of mixed methods was embedded within the usual programme audit process. It is proposed that this methodology can be adopted by any competency-based educational programme seeking to ensure and improve the outcomes of their curriculum, as well as being used by students and practice educators to discuss their perspectives on the student's progress. Repeated measures t-tests demonstrated that student self-rating (‘ipsative’) measurement can track and quantify the acquisition of student competencies. However, ipsative measurement was not significantly correlated with ‘external’ tutors’ and practice educators’ (fieldwork supervisors’) ratings or with final degree gradings. This raises questions around the validity and inter-rater reliability of ipsative measurement instruments used to evaluate student performance. Ratings of interviews in the first semester made by Voices of Experience (service users) were correlated with placement marks and final degree grades.

P01-174 - Quantifying contributions for anxiety variability in adolescence: “Missing parts” of the phenotype definition

IntroductionAlthough several risk factors for anxiety-related phenotypes have been identified, few studies have quantified the weight of each one of these factors.Objective/aimThe aim of this study is to quantify contributions for anxiety variance in adolescents.MethodsNinety-seven adolescents from a community cross-sectional study and their parents were assessed with a structured DSM-IV diagnostic interview, several psychiatric and environmental rating scales and with a nutritional evaluation. The whole evaluation protocol generates 31 constructs previously associated with anxiety-related phenotypes in the literature. These constructs were organized in a hierarchical block analysis as follows:(1)socio-demographic and early life environment;(2)family environment and maternal psychiatric symptomatology and temperament;(3)stressfull life-events and maltreatment;(4)physical health and nutrition. The Screen for Children and Adolescent Related Anxiety Disorders (SCARED) was used as outcome.ResultsThe results of our hierarchical model accounts for only 24% of the total SCARED score. Hierarchically, block one and two did not explain significantly the SCARED variability (r2 = 0.078; p = 0.011 and r2=0.106; p = 0.064/pincremental = 0.090). After the inclusion of block 3, the hierarchical model achieved statistical significance (r2 = 0.231; p = 0.001/pincremental = 0.001), with little additional explanation after the inclusion of block 4 (r2 = 0.243; p = 0.001/pincremental = 0.242).ConclusionEven after an extensive exploratory analysis we were able to explain only about one fourth of anxiety symptoms variability in adolescents. Our findings support the notion that we still have a distant comprehension of the factors that lead to anxiety in adolescents and that the major determinants of anxiety disorders in adolescence are still missing.

FC04-06 - Candidate gene association study of suicidality in treatment resistant MDD

Suicidal behaviour runs in families and the existence of genetic vulnerability to suicidality is well-established. Mental disorders, especially depression, are present in more of 90% of suicides. The incidence of treatment emergent suicidal ideation in major depression (MDD) varies from 4% to 20%, depending on the definition of suicidal ideation and sample characteristics.In the present study, we further elucidated the impact of depression candidate genes in treatment emergent suicidal ideation in MDD. One hundred-seventy MDD patients were collected in the context of a resistant depression study and treated with antidepressants at adequate doses for at least 4 weeks. MDD subjects were genotyped for SNPs within the COMT gene, BDNF, DTNBP1, 5HT1A, 5HT2A, GNB3, GRIK4, PTGS1, PTGS2, CREB, and cytochrome P450 CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 gene. Response, remission and treatment resistance, as well as suicidality information derived from Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) were recorded.A quantitative and measure of suicidal behaviour was defined using the Hamilton rating scale (score 0 to 4) and the MINI-item (yes/no) on suicidality in a large cohort of depression cases. In addition, we tested for association with ‘serious suicidal attempts’ corresponding to a HAMD score of 4 (discrete trait analyses). Results of this candidate gene approach in treatment emergent suicidal ideation in MDD will be presented and discussed.

P03-39 - Alexithymia and affect regulation: A clinimetric study

IntroductionThe concept of alexithymia refers to difficulties in identifying and verbalizing emotions, an externally oriented thinking style and a paucity of fantasy. Theoretically and clinically we expect typical ways of regulating affect in alexithymic individuals. The few existing studies on this topic mainly rely on self-report methods, which are inherently problematic since affect representation and affect regulation are not conscious processes.Objectives/aimsThis study investigates whether alexithymia is associated with dysfunctional methods of affect regulation using clinical ratings of interviews. We hypothesize that alexithymic individuals will use affect regulation methods that do not reflect psychic mediation (H1) and will be unable to solicit cognitive resources (H2) or social support (H3) when confronted with emotional distress.Methods51 psychiatric in-patients were interviewed with1)the Clinical Diagnostic Interview which was coded with the Affect Regulation and Experiences Q-sort (ARE-q) and2)the Toronto Structured Interview for Alexithymia (TSIA).ResultsIn general, alexithymia was positively related to avoidant defenses and negatively to reality focused responses. On item level, we found relationships with for example self-destructive behavior and dissociation (H1), items referring to the inability to use self-talk to cope with distress and the inability to anticipate problems and develop realistic plans for them (H2), and finally a negative relation with ‘responds to potentially distressing situations by talking directly to the people involved.’ (H3).ConclusionsAlexithymia is associated with typical dysfunctional methods of affect regulation. This should be taken into account in the diagnostic process as well as treatment for alexithymia.

An Empirical Review of the Employment Interview Construct Literature

The purpose of this paper is to summarize available empirical research on the association between employment interview ratings and various construct measures using a theoretical model developed as part of the study. The model posits 3 main sources of construct-related variance in interview ratings: job-related interview content (e.g., job knowledge), interviewee performance (e.g., impression management tactics), and personal/demographic characteristics (e.g., candidate attractiveness). Results suggest some potentially important findings, including that the mean correlation with interview ratings is twice as large for constructs related to interviewee performance as it is for constructs pertaining to job-related interview content. Directions for future construct research are also identified. For instance, despite being central to the interpersonal make-up of the candidates, research regarding the influence of interests, goals, and values on interview ratings is almost nonexistent.

Predicting medical student performance from attributes at entry: a latent class analysis

The objectives of this study were two-fold. Firstly, we aimed to model 'typologies' of student examination performance by grouping students into like categories based on measures of prior academic achievement (particularly in the science subjects) and interview rating at time of entry to a medical degree course, and outcome measures of subsequent performance across the course. Secondly, we aimed to illustrate and evidence the utility of the latent class analysis (LCA) clustering technique to provide meaningful information on the effectiveness of a student selection process with respect to the likelihood of poor examination performance. For this retrospective study, anonymised data on two sequential cohorts of students who graduated from a 5-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree course were analysed using LCA. In order to triangulate the findings, the same data were analysed using the more conventional approach of logistic regression. The LCA identified three distinct classes or typologies of student examination performance using measures of prior academic achievement and interview rating at time of course entry. Measures of prior academic achievement and score on a structured admissions interview made significant contributions to the model's ability to discriminate between typologies. Strong prior academic achievement, especially in chemistry, and high interview score were positively related to the likelihood of successful test performance. These findings were supported by the logistic regression analysis. The LCA clustering technique provided meaningful information on the performance of a selection process. As a complementary tool to existing methods used in this area of research, LCA has the potential to empirically inform the selection process.

Further validation of the Iowa Sleep Disturbances Inventory.

This study examined the reliability and validity of an expanded version of the Iowa Sleep Disturbances Inventory (ISDI; Koffel & Watson, 2010) in 2 samples (219 college students and 200 psychiatric patients). The expanded ISDI includes the scales Sleep Paralysis and Sleep Hallucinations. These scales, along with the Nightmares scale, help define a higher order factor entitled Unusual Sleep Experiences. This factor was distinct from the Insomnia and Lassitude factors that were reported previously. The expanded ISDI showed strong evidence of convergent and discriminant validity with the corresponding interview ratings on a clinician rating version of the ISDI. Mean convergent correlations were .68 in students and .70 in patients. Convergent correlations were significantly higher than discriminant correlations in 99.8% of the 624 comparisons. This study also reports the associations of higher order sleep factors with questionnaire and interview measures of pathological symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, dissociation, and schizotypy). The Lassitude factor was specific to dysphoria, whereas the Unusual Sleep Experiences factor was specific to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociation. Finally, several ISDI scales showed strong evidence of specificity in relation to pathological symptoms; in particular, there were strong associations between (a) ISDI Fatigue and measures of dysphoria, (b) ISDI Nightmares and measures of PTSD, and (c) ISDI Sleep Hallucinations and measures of dissociation.

Aggression, ADHD symptoms, and dysphoria in children and adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADHD

BackgroundThis study had two objectives: (1) examine characteristics of aggression in children and adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder and (2) determine whether the CBCL pediatric bipolar disorder profile differentiated youngsters with bipolar disorder from youngsters with ADHD. MethodChildren and adolescents referred to a pediatric psychopharmacology clinic were systematically evaluated for psychopathology using a psychiatrist-administered diagnostic interview, parent- and teacher-report rating scales assessing the child's behavior, and child-completed self-report scales. In this sample, 27 children and adolescents were diagnosed with bipolar disorder and 249 youngsters were diagnosed with ADHD without co-occurring bipolar disorder. These two groups were compared to determine whether there were significant differences on various measures of psychopathology. ResultsYoungsters diagnosed with bipolar disorder were more verbally aggressive and exhibited higher levels of reactive aggression than youngsters with ADHD without co-occurring bipolar disorder. Youngsters with bipolar disorder also reported higher levels of depressive symptoms than youngsters with ADHD without bipolar disorder. The CBCL pediatric bipolar disorder profile did not accurately identify youngsters diagnosed with bipolar disorder. ConclusionsThe present findings present a picture of manic youngsters as verbally aggressive and argumentative, who respond with anger when frustrated. Youngsters diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADHD exhibited significant levels of impulsive behavior and attention problems, but youngsters with bipolar disorder also exhibited significant levels of aggressive behavior and dysphoric mood. Finally, the CBCL pediatric bipolar disorder profile did not accurately identify youngsters who were diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Comparing Personality Disorder Models: Cross-Method Assessment of the FFM and DSM-IV-TR

The current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) defines personality disorders as categorical entities that are distinct from each other and from normal personality traits. However, many scientists now believe that personality disorders are best conceptualized using a dimensional model of traits that span normal and abnormal personality, such as the Five-Factor Model (FFM). However, if the FFM or any dimensional model is to be considered as a credible alternative to the current model, it must first demonstrate an increment in the validity of the assessment offered within a clinical setting. Thus, the current study extended previous research by comparing the convergent and discriminant validity of the current DSM-IV-TR model to the FFM across four assessment methodologies. Eighty-eight individuals receiving ongoing psychotherapy were assessed for the FFM and the DSM-IV-TR personality disorders using self-report, informant report, structured interview, and therapist ratings. The results indicated that the FFM had an appreciable advantage over the DSM-IV-TR in terms of discriminant validity and, at the domain level, convergent validity. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Measuring Health Status: Self-, Interviewer, and Physician Reports of Overall Health

This study examines and compares respondent, interviewer, and physician ratings of overall health. Data are from the 2006 Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study, a nationally representative survey of older adults in Taiwan. Ordered probit models are used to examine factors associated with self- and external assessments of health and discordant health ratings. Our results suggest similarities and differences in factors influencing health ratings across evaluators but a high level of interevaluator disagreement in ratings. Discrepancies in ratings between physicians and both respondents and interviewers are associated with the greater weight given to functional limitations and psychological well-being in interviewer and respondent ratings and to the importance of clinical measures or risk factors of illness and mortality in physician assessments. Interviewer and physician assessments may be complementary to self-assessed health measures. The importance and implications of these findings for future research are discussed.

Gender differences in life events prior to onset of major depressive disorder: The moderating effect of age.

Theoretical models attempting to explain why approximately twice as many women as men suffer from depression often involve the role of stressful life events. However, detailed empirical evidence regarding gender differences in rates of life events that precede onset of depression is lacking, due in part to the common use of checklist assessments of stress that have been shown to possess poor validity. The present study reports on a combined sample of 375 individuals drawn from 4 studies in which all participants were diagnosed with major depressive disorder and assessed with the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule (Bifulco et al., 1989), a state-of-the-art contextual interview and life stress rating system. Women reported significantly more severe and nonsevere, independent and dependent, and other-focused and subject-focused life events prior to onset of depression than did men. Further, these relations were significantly moderated by age, such that gender differences in rates of most types of events were found primarily in young adulthood. These results are discussed in term of their implications for understanding the etiological role of stressful life events in depression.

Initial evaluations in the interview: Relationships with subsequent interviewer evaluations and employment offers.

The authors of this study examine how evaluations made during an early stage of the structured interview (rapport building) influence end of interview scores, subsequent follow-up employment interviews, and actual internship job offers. Candidates making better initial impressions received more internship offers (r = .22) and higher interviewer ratings (r = .42). As predicted, initial evaluations of candidate competence extend beyond liking and similarity to influence subsequent interview outcomes from the same interviewer (ΔR² = .05), from a separate interviewer (ΔR² = .05), and from another interviewer who skipped rapport building (ΔR² = .05). In contrast, assessments of candidate liking and similarity were not significantly related to other judgments when ratings were provided by different interviewers. The findings of this study thus indicate that initial impressions of candidates influence employment outcomes, and that they may be based on useful judgments of candidate competence that occur in the opening minutes of the structured interview.

Neighborhood characteristics and mental health: the relevance for mothers of infants in deprived English neighborhoods

Neighborhood features have been linked with adult mental-health problems, particularly depression. A recent comprehensive review indicated structural neighborhood features derived from data sources such as the census may be less important predictors of mental health problems than social processes but that most studies lack multiple neighborhood measures. The aim of the study is to investigate relations between multiple neighborhood factors (observations, interviewer ratings, UK Census data) and maternal mental-health problems. 14,700 mothers with 9-month-old infants living in 195 deprived neighborhoods in England were interviewed, neighborhoods were observed and census data on employment, ethnic background and housing tenancy utilized. Lower (interviewer-rated) neighborhood quality and lower neighborhood prosperity predicted more mother-reported mental-health problems net of family-level predictors. Contrary to expectations detailed observations did not contribute additionally. Neighborhood conditions, though not as important as family factors and maternal characteristics, are sufficiently important to consider when planning mental health services; they can be assessed at relatively low cost by census data or professionals' ratings.

Mothers' Adult Attachment Interview ratings predict preschool children's IQ following domestic violence exposure

This study examined links between mothers' Adult Attachment Interview ratings (AAI; Main, Goldwyn, & Hesse, 2003) and their preschool children's IQ among 70 families who had experienced domestic violence. As predicted, children displayed significantly stronger verbal and perceptual-organizational abilities when their mothers exhibited more secure, i.e. coherent, states of mind regarding attachment. Mothers' coherence of mind on the AAI explained 18% of the variance in children's Verbal IQ and 12% of the variance in children's Performance IQ, after controlling for maternal education. Mothers' attachment security also was related to children's total IQ score, but this association was accounted for by effects on children's Verbal IQ. Children whose mothers were rated as unclassifiable on the AAI and those whose mothers were unresolved/insecure had lower IQ scores. Although mothers who appeared more secure on the AAI were more sensitively responsive toward their children, mediational analyses suggested that there was a direct link between mothers' security and children's IQ that was not explained by sensitive parenting. This suggests that clinical interventions for children exposed to domestic violence should include helping their mothers achieve coherent ways of thinking about their own childhood experiences, including past trauma.

Interviewer bias in medical student selection

To investigate whether interviewer personality, sex or being of the same sex as the interviewee, and training account for variance between interviewers' ratings in a medical student selection interview. In 2006 and 2007, data were collected from cohorts of each year's interviewers (by survey) and interviewees (by interview) participating in a multiple mini-interview (MMI) process to select students for an undergraduate medical degree in Australia. MMI scores were analysed and, to account for the nested nature of the data, multilevel modelling was used. Interviewer ratings; variance in interviewee scores. In 2006, 153 interviewers (94% response rate) and 268 interviewees (78%) participated in the study. In 2007, 139 interviewers (86%) and 238 interviewees (74%) participated. Interviewers with high levels of agreeableness gave higher interview ratings (correlation coefficient [r] = 0.26 in 2006; r = 0.24 in 2007) and, in 2007, those with high levels of neuroticism gave lower ratings (r = -0.25). In 2006 but not 2007, female interviewers gave higher overall ratings to male and female interviewees (t = 2.99, P = 0.003 in 2006; t = 2.16, P = 0.03 in 2007) but interviewer and interviewee being of the same sex did not affect ratings in either year. The amount of variance in interviewee scores attributable to differences between interviewers ranged from 3.1% to 24.8%, with the mean variance reducing after skills-based training (20.2% to 7.0%; t = 4.42, P = 0.004). This study indicates that rating leniency is associated with personality and sex of interviewers, but the effect is small. Random allocation of interviewers, similar proportions of male and female interviewers across applicant interview groups, use of the MMI format, and skills-based interviewer training are all likely to reduce the effect of variance between interviewers.

Prevalence and risk factors for feline obesity in a first opinion practice in Glasgow, Scotland

A cross-sectional questionnaire study of cat owners registered with a first opinion veterinary practice was undertaken in July 2008. The body condition score (BCS) of the cats was assessed by the interviewer using a validated five point scale. Owners also rated their cat's BCS using five word descriptions. In total, 118 questionnaires were collected. The prevalence of overweight or obese cats (BCS 4 or 5) was 39% (30.2-47.8%, n=61). Risk factors associated with overweight or obesity were frequency of feeding and neutered status. There was moderate agreement between owner and interviewer rating of BCS. Owner misperception was more likely when owners rated cats with BCS 1 (very thin) and 4 (overweight) and in longhaired cats. The study highlights the continuing need for owner education in feline nutrition and specifically the requirement for veterinarians to develop strategies to help owners correct their assessment of their cat's BCS.

Ingratiation and Self‐Promotion in the Selection Interview: The Effects of Using Single Tactics or a Combination of Tactics on Interviewer Judgments

This paper investigates the relative effectiveness of the use of 2 impression‐management tactics—ingratiation and self‐promotion—on interviewers' evaluations of an applicant in a laboratory setting. It was suggested that the use of a single tactic would be better than the use of no tactic; that the use of self‐promotion would be more successful than the use of ingratiation; and, finally, that the use of a combination of tactics would lead to the best evaluations. Results were largely in line with our hypotheses. Interviewer ratings and action recommendations were more positive in the combination condition, followed by the self‐promotion condition, the ingratiation condition, and the neutral condition. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Defense Mechanisms in Mania, Bipolar Depression and Unipolar Depression

The present study compared the use of defense mechanisms in ten bipolar manic, ten bipolar depressed and ten unipolar depressed patients. The defense mechanisms were assessed by two methods: TAT stories scored by Defense Mechanism Manual and Defense Mechanism Rating Scale ratings of psychodynamic interviews. The severity of symptoms was assessed by Beck Depression Inventory for depressed patients and Young’s Manic Rating Scale for manic patients. Both bipolar manic and depressed groups used the defense mechanism of denial, borderline level defenses and immature defenses significantly more than the unipolar depression group. The manic group showed greater dependence on narcissistic level defenses as compared to the other two groups. Positive relationships were found between severity of manic symptoms and the defense mechanisms of denial as well as the narcissistic level defenses. The bipolar depression group also used more action level defenses as compared to the unipolar depression group. The unipolar depression group scored higher on the defense mechanism of identification and adaptive level defenses as compared to the manic group. A negative correlation was found between the severity of depressive symptoms for unipolar depression group and the defense mechanism of identification. The neurotic level defenses were used most frequently by unipolar depression group, followed by the bipolar depression group and manic group. Some of these findings are in consonance with the psychoanalytic understanding of mania and depression.

Speaking Strategies: Meeting NCATE Oral Proficiency Standards

Abstract: The teaming of ACTFL and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education resulted in the requirement that teacher candidates speak at the Advanced Low (AL) or higher level on the Oral Proficiency scale. Providing the means to help candidates meet that minimum standard for certification is a fundamental consideration. This article outlines the design of a course, Speaking Strategies, that was implemented to address the specific issue of increasing students' oral proficiency. Inspired by Schmidt's (1990, 1993, 1995, 2001) noticing hypothesis, Speaking Strategies focuses students' attention on the tasks of the next proficiency level, resulting in an increase in proficiency of at least one sublevel in 71% of the cases. Most important for teacher candidates, more than one-third of those who did not reach the minimum AL rating prior to the course did so upon its completion. Key words: conversation, NCATE standards, oral proficiency, teacher certification, teacher credentials Introduction Teacher preparation programs underwent significant changes in 2002 with the collaboration of the ACTFL and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The result of the organizations' efforts to standardize teacher training are articulated in Program Standards for the Preparation of Foreign Language Teachers (ACTFL, 2002). That document prescribes minimum competencies in language, culture, pedagogy, and linguistics for the licensing of foreign language teachers. Moreover, the Standards establish a minimum level of oral proficiency in the target language at the Advanced Low (AL) level on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Guidelines. Of the areas in which teacher candidates are tested, oral proficiency is likely the most difficult for many of them. Proficiency refers to a speaker's ability to ''use the language effectively and appropriately in real-life situations'' (Swender, 1999, p. 1). Unlike content areas that one masters through study, oral proficiency develops and improves over time. In addition, Advanced-level proficiency is an ambitious goal for typical undergraduate foreign language majors, particularly if they have no significant study abroad experience (Rifkin, 2003). Research shows that most language majors rate at the Intermediate High (IH)/AL border upon completing their studies, with more placing on the Intermediate side of the border. Swender (2003) reported that in a study of 501 Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) ratings of undergraduate majors, 47% rated above the Advanced-level border and 53% rated below. As such, the AL minimum requirement sets the bar higher than many undergraduates' typical performance. The challenge for teacher trainers is to assist students in developing their skills to perform consistently at the Advanced level. The preparation of future teachers is the responsibility of faculty and program directors in both education and foreign language departments. It is incumbent on those of us in language programs to address the requirement that our future teachers speak at the AL level for teacher certification and attempt to train them accordingly. A primary question guides this article and the course described herein: Is it possible to increase oral proficiency by means of a classroom experience, in one semester? The answer is affirmative. This article describes the design of a course in Spanish oral proficiency called Speaking Strategies, which is offered in the Department of Hispanic Studies at the College of Charleston. Speaking Strategies was created to address the development of Advanced-level proficiency among undergraduate Spanish majors. Based on the results of pre- and post-OPIs, along with class activities that target Advanced-level tasks, Speaking Strategies has proven successful in increasing students' oral proficiency by at least one sublevel (i.e., Intermediate Mid to IH, IH to AL, etc.) for 71% of the students enrolled in the course. …

Treatment pathways and longitudinal outcomes for opiate users: Implications for treatment policy and planning

The aim is to model treatment pathways and outcomes of opiate users at intake and at 1- and 3-year follow-up and to assess the implications of these for treatment policy. Opiate users entering a new treatment episode were recruited. Tree diagrams were used to map treatment relapse and re-entry. A within subjects repeated measures analyses of variance was conducted on each of the outcomes. The effect of being in treatment at 1-year on the 3-year outcomes was measured controlling for the value of the outcome variable at intake. A total of 404 opiate users were recruited. Follow-up interview rates were 88.4% at 3-years. Three years after intake 15% were drug free, 70% were in treatment and 15% were not in treatment and were using illegal drugs. Analysis revealed that there were no differences between the three outcome groups at intake. Those who were not in treatment and using at 3-years had displayed little improvement at 1-year and those who were not in treatment and not using at 3-years had displayed improvements in physical and mental health outcomes at 1-year. Regardless of treatment modality, treatment policy needs to reflect, support and encourage individuals during the treatment relapse cycle.